Legal Representation for Drunk Driving Injury Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you need an experienced attorney on your side who will fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Attorney Brian Dettman is a skilled drunk driving injury lawyer who has successfully represented numerous victims in cases against intoxicated drivers and the bars and restaurants that overserved them. Brian is also a former DUI Prosecutor.
Drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries that have life-altering consequences for victims and their families. Common injuries in DUI crashes include:
– Traumatic brain injuries
– Spinal cord damage and paralysis
– Broken bones and fractures
– Disfiguring lacerations
– Internal organ damage
– Wrongful death
These catastrophic injuries can lead to extensive medical bills, lost income from missing work, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. Attorney Brian Dettman understands the immense physical, emotional and financial toll a drunk driving crash takes on victims. He is committed to holding the negligent parties fully accountable and pursuing maximum compensation on your behalf.
In addition to the intoxicated driver, in many cases the bar, restaurant or host who provided alcohol to the visibly drunk person can also be held liable under dram shop laws and social host liability. Attorney Dettman thoroughly investigates these complexities in drunk driving injury cases to identify all responsible parties.
If you have been hit and injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your damages. Contact Attorney Brian Dettman today for a free consultation to discuss your case. He represents drunk driving accident victims on a contingency basis, which means you pay no fees unless he recovers money for you. Call (502) 444-HURT or fill out the online form to get started on your case.
Helpful Drunk Driving Injury Information
Here is a list of helpful information about drunk driving injury legal cases, along with sources and links:
1. Every day in the United States, about 28 people die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 52 minutes. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving)
2. In 2019, there were 10,142 people killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving)
3. The estimated economic cost of alcohol-impaired crashes in the United States in 2010 was $44 billion. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html)
4. A drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered alcohol-impaired in all 50 states. (Governors Highway Safety Association, https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/alcohol-impaired-driving)
5. The legal limit for commercial drivers is a BAC of 0.04%. (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/what-tests-are-required-and-when-does-testing-occur)
6. All states have “implied consent” laws, which means that by driving on public roads, drivers have consented to BAC testing when requested by law enforcement. Refusal can result in license suspension or revocation. (Nolo, https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/dui-testing-implied-consent-laws-29583.html)
7. Dram shop laws allow drunk driving injury victims to hold bars, restaurants, and other establishments liable for overserving visibly intoxicated patrons who later cause accidents. (FindLaw, https://www.findlaw.com/injury/torts-and-personal-injuries/dram-shop-laws.html)
8. Social host liability laws in some states hold private individuals responsible for serving alcohol to guests who subsequently injure others in drunk driving crashes. (Alcohol.org, https://www.alcohol.org/laws/social-host-liability/)
9. The average drunk driver has driven drunk over 80 times before their first arrest. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, https://www.madd.org/statistics/)
10. Drunk driving costs the United States more than $132 billion per year. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, https://www.madd.org/statistics/)
11. Roughly one-third of all drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, https://www.madd.org/statistics/)
12. Drunk driving accident settlements can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on factors such as the severity of injuries, negligence of the drunk driver, insurance policy limits, and state laws. (Nolo, https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/drunk-driving-accident-settlements-what-expect.html)
Are there any drunk driving laws specific to Kentucky?
Yes, there are several drunk driving laws specific to Kentucky:
1. Aggravating circumstances: In Kentucky, aggravating circumstances such as excessive BAC (0.15% or higher), driving drunk with a passenger under 12 years old, or causing an accident resulting in serious injury or death can result in enhanced penalties. (Kentucky Legislature, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=44836)
2. Implied consent: Kentucky’s implied consent law requires drivers to submit to BAC testing when requested by law enforcement. Refusal can result in license suspension for up to 120 days for the first offense. (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, https://drive.ky.gov/driver-licensing/Pages/DUI-Laws.aspx)
3. Lookback period: Kentucky has a 10-year lookback period for DUI offenses, meaning that any prior DUI convictions within the past 10 years can be considered when determining penalties for a current offense. (Kentucky Legislature, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=44836)
4. Ignition interlock devices: After a DUI conviction, some offenders may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle, which prevents the car from starting if the driver’s BAC is above a certain level. (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, https://drive.ky.gov/driver-licensing/Pages/Ignition-Interlock-Program.aspx)
5. DUI child endangerment: In Kentucky, driving under the influence with a passenger under 12 years old in the vehicle is considered an aggravated DUI offense and carries enhanced penalties. (Kentucky Legislature, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=44836)
6. Dram shop liability: Kentucky has a dram shop law that allows victims of drunk driving accidents to hold licensed alcohol vendors liable for overserving visibly intoxicated patrons who later cause injuries or property damage. (Kentucky Legislature, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=45609)
7. Open container law: Kentucky prohibits drivers and passengers from having open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle on public roads. (Kentucky Legislature, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=45610)
These are some of the key drunk driving laws specific to the state of Kentucky. It’s essential for drivers to be aware of these regulations and the potential consequences of violating them.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The facts, statistics, and legal information presented are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. Laws and regulations can change over time and may vary by jurisdiction.
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The outcome of any drunk driving injury case depends on the specific facts and legal circumstances of that case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in future cases. Testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.