Drunk driving accidents shatter lives in an instant. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in Little Rock, Arkansas, you’re likely facing immense pain, grief, stress, and hardship.
Medical bills are piling up, you may be out of work, and you’re struggling to put the pieces of your life back together. You feel angry, frustrated, and alone. But you don’t have to face this difficult time on your own.
A skilled Little Rock drunk driving accident lawyer at Levar Law Injury and Accident Lawyers is here to help you. We understand the trauma and challenges you’re going through.
Our compassionate attorneys will review your claim at no cost, answer your questions, and fight tenaciously to help you get the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
Understanding Drunk Driving Accidents in Little Rock, AR
Arkansas’s DUI/DWI laws consider a driver legally drunk if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, even drivers with a lower BAC can face DWI charges if authorities have evidence that alcohol impaired their driving.
For commercial drivers, the legal BAC limit decreases to 0.04%. Drivers under 21 can face DUI charges with a BAC of 0.02% or higher.
Dangers and Consequences of Drunk Driving
Despite harsh penalties, far too many people still choose to get behind the wheel after drinking. Alcohol severely impairs judgment, coordination, reaction time, and vision. These are all critical skills for safe driving.
Drunk drivers put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk of serious injury or death. Families are forever changed by this reckless, selfish, and illegal choice.
In addition to the potential for tragic accidents, drunk drivers face severe legal consequences including large fines, license suspension, and even jail time. This is especially true if the drunk driver causes an accident resulting in injuries or fatalities.
But these punishments are little comfort to innocent victims devastated by a drunk driver’s poor decisions.
Common Causes of Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable tragedies. There is simply no excuse for getting behind the wheel while impaired.
Common factors that contribute to drunk driving crashes include:
- Binge drinking, especially among young adults
- Alcohol abuse and addiction
- Lack of awareness of alcohol’s effects on driving ability
- Overconfidence in driving skills while drunk
- Failure to plan ahead for a sober ride home
- Ineffective DWI enforcement and lack of consequences
- Insufficient public awareness campaigns about drunk driving dangers
Little Rock and Arkansas Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
Drunk driving remains a persistent problem in Little Rock and across Arkansas. In a recent year, there were over 2,700 alcohol-related crashes in the state, resulting in more than 1,700 injuries and 140 deaths. That means on average, a drunk driving accident occurs every 3 hours in Arkansas. Nearly 1/3 of all fatal crashes involve a drunk driver.
In Pulaski County and the Little Rock area, there were 321 alcohol-related accidents, causing 186 injuries and 12 deaths.
These troubling statistics highlight the need for better education, stricter enforcement, and offender accountability. By working together, we can prevent more of these senseless tragedies from occurring on Little Rock roads.
How a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help with My Little Rock DUI Claim
After a drunk driving crash, you’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical expenses, and many complex legal issues. An experienced Little Rock DUI accident lawyer can lift those burdens from your shoulders and handle every aspect of your case.
At Levar Law, we provide compassionate guidance and tenacious representation for drunk driving accident victims.
Investigating the Accident
Getting fair compensation requires proving the drunk driver’s negligence caused your accident. Our skilled attorneys launch an immediate investigation to secure critical evidence before it disappears.
We take swift action to:
- Gather evidence: We obtain police reports, medical records, BAC test results, photos/videos from the scene, vehicle damage reports, and more to build a rock-solid case.
- Interview witnesses: We identify and take statements from eyewitnesses while their memories are still fresh. Neutral third-party accounts strongly support your claim.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Drunk driving accident claims involve complex insurance issues. Insurers are concerned with protecting their bottom line, not looking out for your best interests. They may try to shift blame, downplay your injuries, or make lowball settlement offers. Our attorneys deal with the insurance companies so you don’t have to. We will:
Negotiate settlements: After fully assessing your damages, we’ll aggressively negotiate for a settlement covering all your losses.
Protect your rights: We’ll ensure you don’t fall victim to insurance bad faith tactics designed to limit or deny the compensation you’re owed.
Representing You at Trial
While most drunk driving accident cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. If the insurance company doesn’t make a fair offer, we won’t hesitate to take your case before a judge and jury.
Our trial attorneys will:
- File lawsuits: We’ll file all necessary paperwork and handle the legal procedures to move your case forward in the court system.
- Present a compelling case: In court, we’ll make a powerful, persuasive argument on your behalf, using evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis to prove your right to compensation.
Contact Us Today
Don’t let them take advantage of you- contact the Law Offices of Alan LeVar to get your claim started.
For more information, please call 870-246-7070
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Little Rock, AR
The steps you take after a drunk driving crash can significantly affect your health, well-being, and legal case.
Here’s what to do to protect yourself and your rights:
- Get medical attention: Your health and safety are the top priorities after an accident. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should get a medical evaluation immediately. Some serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not have obvious symptoms at first. Prompt treatment is vital for your recovery. It also documents your injuries for your legal claim.
- Report the accident to the police: Call 911 to report the accident to the police. Tell the dispatcher you suspect drunk driving was involved. When officers arrive, give them your account of what happened, but stick to the facts. Avoid making accusations or apologizing, as this can be used against you. Get the responding officers’ names and badge numbers. Ask for a copy of the accident report.
- Document the accident scene: If you can, take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your visible injuries, and the surrounding area. Also, get contact and insurance information for the drunk driver and other involved motorists. Talk to any eyewitnesses and ask for their names and phone numbers. This evidence can provide valuable support for your case.
- Contact a drunk driving accident attorney: Reach out to an experienced Little Rock drunk driving accident lawyer immediately after the crash. Injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay no upfront fees. You can get answers to your questions and learn your legal options in a free consultation. The sooner you have a lawyer fighting for you, the better your chances of a successful outcome.
Choosing the Right Little Rock Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Your choice of drunk driving accident attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your case. You need a lawyer with the skills, experience, and dedication to secure the best possible results for you.
Consider these factors:
- Choose an attorney with a track record of success in drunk driving accident cases like yours. You want a lawyer who has gone up against insurance companies and knows how to win.
- Read reviews and testimonials from past clients. Find a lawyer with a reputation for personalized service, open communication, and a tireless work ethic. Ask for referrals from people you trust.
- In your consultation, pay attention to how the attorney interacts with you. Do they listen well? Explain things clearly? Make you feel heard and respected? Your lawyer should inspire confidence.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation
Prepare a list of questions to ask prospective drunk driving accident attorneys.
You might ask:
- How many drunk driving accident cases have you handled? What were the outcomes?
- What challenges do you see in my case and how would you approach them?
- Who will be working on my case? How will you update me on the status?
- What is your communication style? How quickly do you return calls/emails?
- How long do you expect my case to take? What’s a ballpark value of my claim?
- What are your fees and costs? What if we don’t win a settlement or verdict?
FAQs About Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Little Rock, AR
Q: What is the statute of limitations for a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Arkansas?
A: In most cases, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver. If a loved one was killed, you typically have 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. However, some exceptions can shorten the deadline, so consult an attorney immediately.
Q: Can I sue the bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the drunk driver?
A: Arkansas has a dram shop law that allows DUI accident victims to hold alcohol vendors liable in limited circumstances. You must prove that the vendor knowingly sold alcohol to a minor under 21 or to a person who was clearly intoxicated.
Dram shop cases have additional filing requirements, so contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Q: What compensation can I recover in a drunk driving accident claim?
A: If a drunk driver injures you, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, scarring/disfigurement, disability, and other losses.
If a drunk driver kills a loved one, you can pursue damages for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of care and companionship, and more.
Q: How much is my drunk driving accident case worth?
A: Every case is unique, so there’s no set formula for calculating the value of a drunk driving accident claim.
Factors that influence the potential value include the severity of your injuries, total medical bills, lost income, expected future costs, emotional trauma, and the at-fault party’s degree of negligence. An attorney can evaluate your case and estimate what it may be worth.
Q: Can the drunk driver face additional punishments beyond my civil claim?
A: In addition to liability in your personal injury lawsuit, the drunk driver can face criminal charges for DWI/DUI.
Criminal penalties may include fines, license suspension, mandatory substance abuse treatment, probation, and jail or prison time. If convicted, the drunk driver may have to pay you court-ordered restitution as well.
Contact an Experienced Little Rock DUI Accident Lawyer Today
While the criminal justice system punishes drunk drivers, it doesn’t do enough to help those who suffered injuries or losses in drunk driving accidents to recover damages.
To get the full and fair compensation you need to move forward after a devastating drunk driving accident, you need a skilled attorney fighting for your rights. Don’t try to take on the insurance company alone. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Contact personal injury lawyers in Little Rock at (501) 588-0082 to discuss your drunk driving accident case at no cost. Our knowledgeable attorneys know the tactics insurers use to avoid responsibility. We know how to hold impaired drivers accountable, and we know how to win cases for clients like you.
During our free consultation, we’ll listen to your story, advise you of your options, and start building your case right away. Since we only accept attorney fees if we obtain compensation on your behalf, you can get the effective legal representation you need without risk.
Don’t wait to get help. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights and improve your chances of getting maximum compensation.
Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers – Little Rock Office Location
204 Executive Ct #208
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-588-0082
