Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Baltimore City
Drunk driving is a serious problem that continues to take the lives of many people every year. In 2015, over 10,000 people suffered fatalities in drunk driving car accidents in the United States. While preventable, drunk driving wrecks continue to occur because so many drivers make the irresponsible choice to get behind the wheel after having had too much to drink. Unfortunately, a moment of poor judgment can end in tragedy and devastation for the victim and their family. The Baltimore City car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton take this issue very seriously and we will work tirelessly to seek justice for the victims of drunk driving accidents.
In the state of Maryland, you are considered legally drunk if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. Drivers who are under the age of 21 are considered impaired if they have a BAC of 0.02. According to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Highway Safety Plan for 2015, approximately 24,000 people are arrested for drunk driving each year in the state of Maryland. Many of these accidents result in serious injuries and fatalities. Close to 10,000 innocent people suffer fatalities each year in drunk driving accidents, and many more are severely injured or permanently disabled.
Legal Options Available for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
- Civil Suits: A civil suit is filed as an injury lawsuit by the victim in order to recover financial compensation for their injuries. In the event of a fatality, the family of the victim may file a wrongful fatality lawsuit to recover damages. Civil suits may be the victim’s only opportunity to recover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other costs associated with the accident.
- Criminal Suits: Criminal proceedings aim to punish the driver for acting recklessly and to protect the public from harm caused by the driver’s irresponsible behavior. A drunk driver can face criminal charges even if they were not involved in a wreck or caused injury to another person. To reach a conviction, prosecutors must prove that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Penalties for a drunk driving conviction include incarceration, probation, fines, and restitution.
- Wrongful Fatality Suit: If a fatality is caused by a drunk driver, a wrongful fatality suit may be filed on behalf of the victim’s estate. This lawsuit ensures that the surviving family members have financial stability, especially if the victim was the sole provider, collecting both economic and noneconomic damages.
- Dram Shop Liability: Dram Shop Liability confirms that a commercial vendor, such as a liquor store or bar, may be held liable for damages after selling or serving alcohol to an intoxicated patron who caused a drunk driving accident. Maryland does not currently allow Dram Shop Lawsuits, but new legislation may make this liability argument available to victims injured in drunk driving wrecks in the future.
Baltimore City Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Drunk Driving Victims
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a drunk driving accident, the Baltimore City car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will work tirelessly to hold the negligent individual responsible for their actions. Our dedicated and experienced team will aggressively pursue the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
