ManchesterDrunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drivers have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. Choosing to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs violates that duty and creates risks for car and motorcycle accidents.

In Connecticut, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, a driver can still be considered impaired even with a lower BAC if alcohol affects their ability to drive safely. Victims of drunk driving accidents may pursue a civil lawsuit against the driver to seek compensation for the injuries and losses they suffer. 

Damages are available even if the driver also faces criminal DUI charges (or is acquitted), as these are separate proceedings. An experienced Manchester DUI accident attorney can help you identify all avenues for recovering compensation after your accident.

Drunk driving crashes often result in severe or fatal injuries. Why? Because alcohol affects drivers’ judgment, reaction time, and coordination. It effectively reduces their ability to safely operate a vehicle and makes crashes more forceful and more likely. 

Victims of drunk driving accidents may suffer injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Severe fractures and orthopedic injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Burns or disfigurement
• Permanent disability

Beyond physical injuries, victims often face long recovery periods, emotional trauma, and significant financial hardship. These consequences highlight why drunk driving accidents often lead to substantial civil claims. In many cases, these accidents lead to wrongful death.

Beyond Negligence: Seeking Punitive Damages for Reckless Disregard

Most personal injury claims are based on negligence. However, drunk driving often goes beyond simple negligence and may be considered reckless or grossly negligent behavior.

When a driver knowingly operates a vehicle while intoxicated, they demonstrate a conscious disregard for the safety of others. Accordingly, Connecticut law (Connecticut General Statutes § 14-295)  sometimes allows courts to impose punitive damages in DUI-related injury cases. These enhanced damages punish particularly dangerous conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.

In certain circumstances, courts may award double or even triple damages if the intoxicated driver violated traffic safety laws with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

At Tehrani Law Group, we can help you evaluate all the categories of damages you are entitled to and pursue punitive damages to help ensure you get full accountability.e), Ecstasy (MDMA), and others can also cause driver impairment and serious injuries in an auto accident.

In some drunk driving cases, liability may extend beyond the driver. Per Connecticut General Statutes § 30-102, victims can pursue claims against bars, restaurants, or other establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused a crash.

Under this law, a business that overserves alcohol to an inebriated individual may be held financially responsible for damages resulting from that person’s actions.

However, dram shop claims are subject to specific limitations under Connecticut law, including a statutory cap of $250,000 in damages. These cases often require detailed investigation to determine where the intoxicated driver consumed alcohol and whether the establishment continued serving them while they were visibly impaired.once were.

The Critical 120-Day Notice Rule: Why Time is Not on Your Side

Connecticut dram shop claims involve strict procedural deadlines that are much shorter than standard personal injury claims. In order to pursue a claim against a bar or establishment under the Dram Shop Act, you must typically provide written notice within 120 days of the incident. 

This notice must include details about the accident and the alleged liability of the establishment that served alcohol. If you fail to meet this deadline, you may not be able to pursue damages under the dram shop laws. That’s why it is critical to speak with a dram shop liability lawyer in Manchester for help.

Types of Recoverable Damages: Medical Costs, Lost Wages, and Pain and Suffering

Victims of drunk driving crashes in Manchester may pursue compensation for the full range of losses resulting from the accident. Economic damages provide money for your financial losses; non-economic damages compensate for your personal, non-monetary losses. 

Together, these damages should make you “whole” and put you in a similar position to the one you were in before the accident. Your award may include money for:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospital bills
• Surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Courts may also consider enhanced (punitive) damages as allowed under Connecticut law. A drunk driving accident law firm in CT can help you track and calculate your damages, including those you will likely incur in the future. Your lawyer can even work with experts to help establish the value of your case. the establishment that served them.

When a drunk driving crash occurs, the intoxicated driver may face criminal charges. However, criminal prosecution is separate from a civil personal injury claim. A criminal DUI case focuses on punishment, which may include fines, license suspension, or jail time. A civil lawsuit focuses on compensating victims for the harm they suffered.

Even though these cases are separate, evidence from the criminal investigation can often support a civil claim. This evidence may include:

• Police accident reports
• Breathalyzer or blood test results
• Field sobriety test observations
• Witness statements
• Crash reconstruction analysis

An experienced attorney can use this evidence to strengthen your civil case against the at-fault driver. Contact Tehrani Law Group to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights.

Drunk driving accidents can leave victims and families facing overwhelming financial and emotional challenges. They can alter nearly every aspect of life, from work to beloved hobbies. Navigating the legal process while recovering from serious injuries can feel difficult. But an experienced drunk driving accident attorney can help you get justice. 

At Tehrani Law Group, we are here to help manage all aspects of your claim and seek full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Clients choose our firm because we:

• We have extensive experience handling all types of car accident cases and have regularly taken on drunk drivers and their insurers.
• We have resolved hundreds of cases in federal and state courts. 
• We provide top-class client service and make you feel seen and heard.
• We work on a contingency fee basis and only recover attorney fees if we win. 
• We connect clients with survivor and advocacy resources from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other organizations.

Call us today to schedule a free case review to learn more about our firm. We’re standing by to help you.

Can I sue the bar that served the drunk driver who hit me?

Yes, in certain circumstances. Under the Connecticut Dram Shop Act, victims may pursue claims against establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused an accident. However, Dram Shop claims are subject to a $250,000 damage cap and strict procedural requirements.

What are “double or triple damages” in a Connecticut DUI case?

Connecticut law allows courts to award double or triple damages in certain situations involving reckless driving behavior. Damages may be multiplied if a driver deliberately or recklessly violates traffic safety laws while intoxicated.

Do I have to wait for the criminal DUI case to end before I sue?

No. Civil and criminal cases move on separate tracks. You can pursue a civil claim for damages even while the criminal DUI case is ongoing. 

What is the statute of limitations for a drunk driving injury in Manchester?

Most personal injury claims in Connecticut must be filed within two years of the accident, according to the state statute of limitations. However, Dram Shop claims involve a much stricter deadline. Victims must provide written notice to the establishment within 120 days of the incident in order to pursue liability under the Dram Shop Act.

Contact a Manchester Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Near You

If you were injured by a drunk driver, it’s time to stand up and take action. You deserve compensation for your injuries and the opportunity to rebuild your life. A car accident claim can help you do just that. For a free case review by skilled DUI injury accident lawyers in Manchester, CT, contact Tehrani Law Group online.