People who get behind the wheel after drinking are far more likely to cause accidents than sober drivers. Because their reaction times are slowed and their judgment is impaired, drunk driving accidents are often more serious and cause more severe injuries than other car accidents.
Drunk driving victims constitute a special area of auto accident law. In addition to normal damages, DUI victims may be entitled to additional recovery due to the wrongful act of the other driver given the criminal nature of the offense. It is important to have an experienced attorney who can coordinate criminal restitution when advantageous alongside your civil accident claim. Restitution is a remedy available in the criminal case where the judge can impose this condition on the DUI offender at sentencing. You do not have to wait for the criminal trial to conclude before you pursue civil legal action. The procedures and verdicts in your civil case will be separate from the criminal case.