Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Medford

People who drive while impaired by alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription medication, or any other substance put themselves and everyone around them at serious risk of suffering catastrophic harm. Unfortunately, state laws prohibiting this kind of behavior cannot completely prevent New Jersey residents from making this irresponsible choice. You may have experienced an avoidable accident resulting in significant physical, personal, and financial losses.

Filing suit over drunk driving car accidents in Medford could be emotionally and legally challenging, particularly for people without experience in civil litigation. Assistance from a capable car accident attorney could make a difference in building a strong claim and demanding the restitution you deserve.

Are Drunk Drivers Always at Fault for Wrecks?

Driving under the influence is an illegal and careless act. Drunk drivers violate a legal duty all drivers have to act responsibly and within the bounds of state law in order to protect others from avoidable harm. Because of that, anyone who causes a car collision in Medford because they were driving drunk could be considered at fault.

It is worth noting that other parties may bear partial liability for a crash of this nature. For example, New Jersey law forbids restaurants, bars, and other businesses that serve or sell alcohol from knowingly providing alcohol to anyone who is obviously intoxicated or underage. Any establishment that sells alcohol to someone who later causes an intoxicated driving vehicle wreck may bear some fault for a crash under the state’s dram shop laws.

If an injured person was the one driving drunk, the law does not automatically prohibit them from seeking civil compensation. As per New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:15-5.1, a plaintiff must be able to prove they bore 50 percent or less of the total fault for an incident to remain eligible for compensation despite their contributory negligence.

Civil Versus Criminal DUI Proceedings

An injury lawsuit filed over a drunk driving car collision is a separate legal proceeding from criminal prosecution for DUI charges. Each case may go on simultaneously without affecting the other. Even if a court acquits a driver of criminal DUI, they may still be civilly liable for an auto wreck stemming from alleged drunk driving.

Even if an intoxicated driver is not arrested over a car wreck, it is also possible for a civil claim to proceed. Skilled legal counsel in Medford could explain the differences between each type of drunk driving case in detail during a private consultation.

An Attorney Could Help File Suit Over Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Medford

Being hit and injured by someone driving under the influence could be a frustrating experience. You could have harmful and painful injuries. Pursuing fair financial recovery after a wreck of this nature could be vital to preserving your rights and long-term interests, but it could also be difficult without professional legal guidance.

A dedicated lawyer could work diligently on your behalf after drunk driving car accidents in Medford to secure a beneficial case resolution. Call today to schedule a meeting with our team.