Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Lafayette, LA

An Experienced Louisiana Personal Injury Law Firm Dedicated to Helping Car Accident Victims Seek Fair Compensation After a Drunk Driving Incident

Accidents caused by negligent drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol and other substances can often cause severe injuries, and sometimes even death, for those involved in the crash. Along with distracted driving, drunk driving accidents are among the most common causes of car crashes across the country, which is partly why drunk drivers are so harshly prosecuted in auto accident cases that result in serious bodily injuries or wrongful death. While personal injury victims and the surviving loved ones seeking compensation with wrongful death claims may be entitled to recover compensation for their losses, that does not necessarily mean that the legal process of doing so is straightforward. If you have been seriously injured in a traffic accident caused by a drunk driver, you must seek professional guidance from an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent your interests.

Our Lafayette-based law firm represents clients in various legal matters related to personal injury law, wherein they were injured and suffered financial losses due to someone else’s negligence. As your legal representatives, our personal injury attorneys can assist you throughout the entire process, including negotiations with insurance companies and representation in and out of court to help you seek the maximum compensation for your case.

As a car accident victim, you should not be responsible for costly medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses. With our help, we will work to prove the negligence of the other party so that you can reach a favorable outcome in your legal matters. To learn more about the benefits of retaining our law office’s services, please contact us to schedule your free initial consultation with our team today.

How Common Are Drunk Driving Motor Vehicle Accidents in Louisiana? 

Drunk and other examples of impaired driving remain a significant cause of motor vehicle accidents, serious injuries, and fatalities in Louisiana. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and others have worked to understand the epidemic of drunk driving accidents within the state, as well as to keep detailed records of how many of these incidents tragically occur.

There were over 5,000 reported drunk driving accidents across Louisiana in the year 2024, ranking the state in the unenviable position among the 15 worst states for such accidents (South Carolina, Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico routinely rank among the worst states for drunk driving deaths in recent years). While the statistics show that there have been both recent decreases in the number of drunk driving accidents and fatalities in Louisiana, perhaps pointing to successful initiatives to curb these incidents from occurring, they remain a significant issue for motorists on our roads.

By a significant margin, East Baton Rouge had some of the most drunk driving fatalities between the years of 2020 and 2024, with a recorded number of 145 deaths. The parish with the most fatal drunk driving accidents per capita was St. Helena.

In Louisiana, over 80% of drivers in fatal drunk driving incidents were legally intoxicated with a BAC of 0.8% or higher, which is the state’s legal limit.

What if the At-Fault Driver Was Under the Influence of Drugs Instead of Alcohol?

In some car accident cases, negligent drivers can be charged with driving under the influence even if they have not consumed alcohol. Any substance that can impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and thus affect your duty not to endanger others on the roads can cause DUI. Drugs such as marijuana, as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications, are common causes of DUI accidents that do not involve alcohol consumption.

If you suffered car accident injuries in an incident caused by a motorist under the influence of drugs or other substances, our personal injury lawyers can help you prove driver negligence and pursue compensation for your losses.

What Should You Do After a Crash Caused by a Drunk Driver?

Many of the same steps that injured motorists should take following any motor vehicle collision should also be followed in accidents caused by impaired drivers.

As soon as possible following the accident, call 911 to notify authorities and summon first responders to the accident scene. When the police arrive, provide them with a detailed account of what transpired, as an official accident report will be valuable to your personal injury attorneys later in the case.

Auto accident victims must seek medical treatment immediately after being in a crash. Prompt medical attention can do more than safeguard your well-being; it can also strengthen your personal injury claims. Failure to seek medical aid after a car crash can potentially devalue your claim in the eyes of the insurance companies.

If you are physically able, gather as much evidence as you can at the scene of the crash before you have to move on. Visible injuries, vehicular and other types of property damage, environmental conditions, and anything else that may be deemed relevant to your case should be recorded. Also, seek out the contact information of any witnesses to the crash who may be willing to testify in your case later down the road.

It’s commonplace for insurance adjusters to arrive at accident scenes to survey the damage and begin estimating the value of a personal injury settlement. Insurance adjusters frequently try to present themselves as sympathetic to your case, but you must remember that they are not there to look after your interests. Instead of speaking with the insurance adjuster, please direct them to contact your legal representation.

Seeking professional legal counsel from experienced attorneys well-versed in the practice areas related to personal injury cases and drunk driving incidents is a must for injured victims. Our Lafayette law firm offers free consultations to prospective new clients interested in the benefits of our legal services. To discuss your case in more detail, please get in touch with our offices today.

What Are Examples of Serious Injuries Commonly Seen in Drunk Driving Car Accident Cases?

Like other types of automobile accidents, crashes caused by drunk drivers routinely result in serious injuries for all involved. Sometimes, drunk driving accidents can result in more catastrophic injuries, at least partially because of the erratic driving and high speeds caused by alcohol impairment.

Among the many types of serious injuries seen in drunk driving accidents are the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries, including complete or partial paralysis
• Broken bones and fractures
• Whiplash and other back and neck injuries
• Deep cuts, heavy bruising, and lacerations
• Loss of limbs
• Severe burns and facial or bodily disfigurement
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Soft tissue injuries, such as torn ligaments and strains
• Loss of bodily function
• Nerve damage
• Crushing and degloving injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Loss of hearing or sight
• Fatal injuries
• And more

Do Injured Victims Need the Legal Representation of Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorneys? 

It is strongly recommended that you seek legal help when navigating the process of your personal injury lawsuit. Deciding to go without professional legal counsel will often result in your claim being devalued by insurance companies.

Among the many benefits of retaining the services of an experienced lawyer are the following:

• Gather helpful evidence that assists you in proving your claims that you were the victim of a negligent drunk driver
• Provide steadfast advocacy to defend your legal rights both in and out of the courtroom
• Work with professionals in other fields to accurately calculate all of your accident-related losses, including financial recovery for ongoing expenses
• Handle negotiations with insurance companies and at-fault parties in the pursuit of a favorable financial settlement
• Represent grieving family members seeking economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death case
• And more

What Sort of Financial Compensation is Possible in a Successful Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Case?

If you and your personal injury attorneys can prove that the other driver was drunk, this is typically considered sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they were negligent and violated their duty of care when sharing the road with other motorists. With a successful case, it may be possible to recover economic and non-economic damages to compensate you for your injuries, financial losses, pain and suffering, and more.

Examples of financial recovery can include the following:

• Past medical bills and future medical expenses
• Lost wages if the victim is unable to return to work
• Disability, dismemberment, and disfigurement compensation
• Lost expected income earnings if the injured victim is never able to return to their former line of employment
• Compensation for emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Pain and suffering damages
• Lost enjoyment of life
• Property damage, such as vehicle repairs or replacements
• Wrongful death damages, which can include medical expenses incurred before death, loss of benefits, mental anguish, and compensation for funeral, burial, and memorial expenses

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Lafayette Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Legal Options Today

It’s crucial to remember that there is a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Lafayette, Louisiana. If you do not take legal action within the statute of limitations, you could be forever barred from recovering monetary damages after a drunk driver accident. 

Our Lafayette car accident lawyers can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and other damages resulting from your drunk driving accident. To learn more about how we can assist you and your loved ones during this challenging time, please contact our law office to schedule a complimentary initial consultation with our legal team today.

Call us at 337-242-7604.