Waterbury DUI Accident Lawyer

It is illegal for anyone to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol but driving under the influence (DUI) is a pervasive problem in Waterbury and surrounding areas of Connecticut. When a driver causes an accident while intoxicated, they not only face criminal charges for DUI, but also liability for the resulting damages they cause to others. A skilled Waterbury DUI accident lawyer will be an invaluable asset if you have experienced such a crash.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Victims of DUI Accidents in Waterbury, CT

The team at Bartlett & Grippe, LLC helps injured car accident victims recover in Waterbury. While the majority of accidents in the area happen because of negligence, they can also result from illegal and intentional misconduct. When this happens, the injured victim is likely to have many difficult questions concerning their recovery options and what a criminal case against the defendant could mean for their recovery.

While the state will handle prosecuting the at-fault driver for DUI, your Waterbury DUI accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for the damages they caused. Recovery from this type of accident typically entails an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit to ensure maximum compensation, but it is possible for the injured driver to receive additional compensation that reflects the illegal nature of the at-fault driver’s actions.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim After a DUI Accident

Every driver in Connecticut is required to have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance policy can pay for the damages they caused to others up to the coverage limits of the policy. This means that after a DUI driver has crashed into your vehicle and injured you, filing a claim against their auto insurance policy is likely to be your first option for recovering compensation for your damages.

However, dealing with insurance companies can be very difficult. These companies will do everything they can to avoid paying out settlements if possible or minimizing claim payouts using every justification they can find. Having an experienced Waterbury DUI accident lawyer help you with your claim significantly increases your chance of receiving a fair settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.

Building a Personal Injury Case for a DUI Accident in Waterbury

While the state’s criminal prosecution of the at-fault driver will focus on punishing their wrongdoing, a civil claim will enable you to recover compensation for the damages you suffered. The goal of every personal injury case is for the injured plaintiff to prove liability for the damages the defendant caused and for the plaintiff to recover compensation for those damages. It’s possible for you to claim compensation for economic and noneconomic losses.

Your economic damages are likely to include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, the cost of any medical treatment you need to recover from your injuries, and compensation for the income you are unable to earn while you recover form your injuries. Noneconomic damages include physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma, and your attorney can help you determine a suitable amount to include in your case.

Success with your personal injury case will require clear proof that the defendant not only directly caused your accident, but also that their actions directly resulted in your claimed damages. You must prove the full scope of the damages you incurred and prove that they solely resulted from the defendant’s actions and not from any other cause. Bartlett & Grippe approach every personal injury case we accept with the intention of maximizing our client’s recovery.

Filing a Wrongful Death Suit After a Fatal DUI Accident

If you have lost a family member in a fatal DUI accident, you likely have grounds to file a wrongful death suit in place of the personal injury claim they could have filed if they had survived. This type of personal injury case allows the family of a victim to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, damages to the deceased’s estate, and compensation for their own pain and suffering.

Only certain parties are eligible to file wrongful death cases in Connecticut. Your Waterbury DUI accident lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe will help you gather the evidence needed to firmly establish liability for the accident, determine the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim, and help you file your case while meeting all statutory and procedural requirements.

The at-fault driver is likely to face significantly increased penalties in their criminal case if their actions resulted in severe bodily injury or death. Your Waterbury DUI accident lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe can help you build a cohesive wrongful death suit and explain what implications the criminal case against the defendant may have on your recovery efforts.

What to Expect From Your Waterbury DUI Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of a DUI accident in Waterbury, Connecticut can be stressful and confusing, so having the right attorney on your side will make the process much easier to handle and more likely to result in an acceptable recovery. The DUI driver will face prosecution from the state, and your attorney can help you hold them accountable for your losses with a civil case.

The team at Bartlett & Grippe can help with all stages of your case, from filing an auto insurance claim against the DUI driver to building a personal injury suit. We can also help you file a wrongful death claim if you have lost a loved one in a fatal DUI accident in Waterbury.

We only charge our client a fee if we win their case. This billing policy makes legal representation more accessible to those who need it most, and you will not face any risk of paying more for legal counsel than you win in compensation for your damages. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so it is important that you connect with a Waterbury DUI accident lawyer at your first opportunity after your accident.

Bartlett & Grippe are confident in our team’s ability to provide compassionate and effective legal counsel in the most challenging DUI accident cases in Waterbury. If you are unsure how to proceed with your recovery efforts after this type of accident, contact us today and schedule your free consultation with a Waterbury DUI accident lawyer you can trust.