Do drunk driving accidents typically have higher settlements? Drunk driving accident settlements are often higher because the offending driver willfully engaged in negligent and reckless actions by getting behind the wheel.
These actions are more likely to result in greater losses for the victim. This page examines the factors that a Lansing car accident lawyer will consider when calculating your settlement.
Drunk Driving is an Intentional Choice
When an individual drinks and gets behind the wheel, they make a choice that puts themself and others at risk. It’s also an intentional disregard of the law.
Drivers who are intoxicated lose the ability to properly judge or react to dangers. They may also be unable to retain control of their vehicle or may drift out of their lane of traffic.
In Michigan, impaired driving contributed to nearly 41% of fatalities during the most recent statistical data available. There were an estimated 8,817 crashes and 272 deaths caused by drunk driving in the span of one year.
These numbers show how prevalent drinking and driving are throughout the state. Michigan also punishes these offenses harshly, which can also help you recover a larger settlement.
Because of the dangers these drivers pose, accident victims can generally recover higher settlements for drunk driving accidents.
Drunk drivers are often penalized and may even be required to pay you punitive damages for their actions. You and your lawyer can leverage these accidents to recover more compensation to offset the injustice you have suffered.
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Drunk Driving Results in More Severe Injuries
The more an individual drinks, the higher their blood alcohol concentration is (BAC). Higher BACs are linked to loss of cognitive abilities, physical functions, and coordination.
As such, a driver may not be able to slow down, stop, or maneuver around hazards, which means the force of collisions can be greater and cause more damage. Exaggerated movements can also pose considerable danger.
Drunk driving accidents are more likely to lead to more severe injuries when a collision occurs. Part of the danger of these injuries is that there may also be delayed-onset symptoms you can suffer after a car accident. This means that some injuries can go unnoticed without immediate and proper medical care. Victims may not realize how injured they are and delay medical care, which could be costly.
The severity of your injuries can make a difference in how much you can recover. The greater your medical expenses and other losses, the more compensation you will need to cover them.
For example, catastrophic injuries will generally have high, long-term costs associated with them. Keep thorough records of medical treatments, expenses, and projected care costs to ensure comprehensive damages.
Drunk Driving Causes Greater Suffering
Victims of drunk driving accidents are more likely to experience a greater degree of suffering due to the increased severity of their losses. Individuals may suffer physically, emotionally, and/or financially.
Cumulatively, this suffering can impact their quality of life and keep them from enjoying favorite activities or having full relationships. Some victims may even struggle with PTSD symptoms afterward.
Suffering can impact every area of your life. Even if these losses aren’t as tangible as medical expenses, they are no less real or challenging.
These losses are factored into the value of your settlement and can increase the amount of compensation you can recover. Because these losses cannot be added up the same way monetary losses can, formulas are used to determine how much you can recover.
The multiplier formula rates the severity of your suffering on a scale of 1.5 – 5 (five being the most severe) and multiplies that number by your monetary expenses to determine the value of these losses.
The per diem formula assigns a daily value to your suffering and multiplies it by the estimated number of days you may suffer, up to a maximum period of time. Consult a lawyer about how to calculate these losses.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
What May Be Included in a Drunk Driving Accident Settlement
In a drunk driving settlement, you can recover damages for multiple types of losses. This is meant to provide comprehensive support so your losses are fully covered after a drunk driving accident.
There are primarily two types of damages that are available in Michigan personal injury cases, but a third type may be included under certain circumstances. These may include:
- Economic damages: This portion of your settlement includes the losses you have suffered financially. Most commonly, this includes the cost of your medical expenses, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and, in extreme circumstances, funeral and burial expenses.
- Non-economic damages: These damages account for the pain and suffering you are experiencing because of the accident and what you have lost. These losses most commonly include your emotional and psychological distress, altered quality of life, and loss of companionship or consortium.
- Punitive damages: This type of compensation is used when another party acted with gross negligence or recklessness. Punitive damages are a way to punish the drunk driver, and they provide you with additional compensation. A lawyer can provide insight into your ability to pursue this type of compensation in your settlement.
Lawyers will take all the factors above into account when determining how much your settlement is worth. They understand that your losses are likely greater, and will fight for you and negotiate a higher settlement so you can better support yourself as you recover and move forward.
Be sure to consult a lawyer to understand how much you can recover in a drunk driving accident settlement.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
White Law PLLC Secures Maximum Compensation in Your Case
White Law PLLC is an ally when a drunk driver has injured you. We know how much compensation can make a difference after this type of accident, and we aggressively negotiate for you so you don’t receive less than what you deserve.
Drunk driving accidents can steal much from your life, and we make sure you don’t lose more. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your losses.
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We Exceed Client Expectations.
