Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or illicit drugs is a serious criminal offense in Arizona, but criminal charges only ensure justice and punish wrongdoing; they do nothing to compensate the victims of drunk driving accidents. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a DUI accident in Scottsdale, AZ, AZ DUI Victim lawyers can help you understand your legal options for recovery. Contact us today to schedule a case review and find out more about how our firm can help.
When you face a civil case for damages sustained in an Arizona DUI accident, you need an attorney with the skills and resources to navigate you to a satisfactory recovery. AZ DUI Victim attorneys have extensive experience with all types of DUI victim claims in Scottsdale and throughout Arizona.
The lawyer you choose to represent you should help you approach your DUI accident claim in Scottsdale with added confidence.
Your attorney can handle the legal aspects of your situation so you can focus on your recovery. A DUI accident attorney will review the evidence in play and gather more evidence if required. Your attorney can also negotiate with insurance carriers on your behalf, help with your financial concerns during your case, and ensure your court filings are complete, accurate, and filed on time.
Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country, and a DUI offense can lead to misdemeanor charges or even felony charges if an accident results in severe injuries or the death of another person. When a driver sustains injuries due to an intoxicated driver, the offender will face criminal prosecution from the state, but a criminal case punishes wrongdoing; it will not compensate the victims of the offense. The victims would need to pursue a civil claim for damages against the at-fault driver to secure compensation for their losses.
Arizona has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to DUI. This means any detectable alcohol above .08% or the slightest indication of inebriation with an illicit drug could lead to a DUI arrest. The criminal case will run in tandem with civil claims from the victim, and the victim may need to testify in the criminal case as a witness. The standard of proof is much higher in a criminal case, and a jury must find a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, if a DUI criminal case leads to a conviction, it is very likely the plaintiff in a related civil claim will win his or her case against the DUI driver.
DUI accidents have a higher chance of causing significant property damage and severe or fatal injuries. An intoxicated driver will have slowed reaction time and may drive faster than he or she realizes. This can lead to a serious accident, and the victims need to know how to recover from the resulting losses. If you or a loved one experienced such an accident in the Scottsdale area and are unsure of your legal options for recovery, contact AZ DUI Victim attorneys today and schedule a case review. We can assess your claim and let you know what to expect from a lawsuit.