Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Imagine you’re driving through Colorado Springs when suddenly, another vehicle slams into yours. The jarring impact and the subsequent confusion overwhelm you. As the dust settles and you come to grips with the reality of the situation, you realize that the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

In addition to the immediate physical pain and emotional stress, you now face a barrage of medical bills, lost wages, and the daunting task of navigating the legal system.

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, we understand the profound impact this experience can have on your life. Our Colorado Springs drunk driving accident lawyers are here to guide you.

Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Guide

• Why Choose Franklin D. Azar & Associates?
• Drunk Driving in Colorado
• Understanding Colorado DUI Laws
• The Challenges You May Be Facing
• How Our Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Can Help
• Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Colorado
• Contact Us Today for Help with a Drunk Driving Accident Case

Why Choose Franklin D. Azar & Associates?

When choosing a lawyer for your drunk driving accident case in Colorado Springs, experience and dedication matter. At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, we have a proven track record of successfully handling drunk driving accident cases.

Our compassionate team is deeply committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you, and we use our extensive knowledge of Colorado’s DUI laws to build a strong case on your behalf. 

Our approach to each case is personalized; we take the time to understand your unique situation, including your physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

We work tirelessly to ensure that you receive comprehensive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages resulting from the accident.

Drunk Driving in Colorado

Data from the NHTSA Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool indicates that Colorado is home to six of the 75 cities in the U.S. with the highest rates of fatal drunk driving accidents. Colorado Springs ranked 24th, with 10.49 fatalities per 100,000 residents. 

A recent report by the Colorado Department of Transportation found that one-third of traffic deaths in Colorado involved impaired drivers. Preliminary figures show 218 fatalities related to impaired driving on Colorado roads in one recent year.

Additionally, the Colorado Springs Police Department made 740 DUI arrests in 2023, the highest number in the state. Overall, the Colorado State Patrol reported 1,101 DUI arrests during all 16 high-visibility enforcement periods.

Understanding Colorado DUI Laws

In Colorado, the terms DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) are commonly used. DUI refers to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, while DWAI refers to driving with a BAC between 0.05% and 0.08%.

Both offenses are taken very seriously under Colorado law, and penalties can include fines, license suspension, and imprisonment. 

If you’ve been injured by a driver who was found to be intoxicated or impaired, you have legal options to seek compensation. Colorado law provides for civil liability and criminal penalties, which means you can pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

The Challenges You May Be Facing

A drunk driving accident can be a life-altering event, bringing with it a host of challenges that affect every aspect of your life. From severe physical injuries to emotional trauma and financial burdens, the road to recovery can be long and difficult.

Understanding these challenges can better prepare you for the journey ahead and emphasize the importance of having a dedicated legal team by your side.

Physical Injuries

Drunk driving accidents often result in a wide range of physical injuries, varying in severity and impact.

Common injuries include:

• Broken Bones and Fractures: These injuries can range from minor to severe, requiring extensive medical treatment, such as surgery and physical therapy.
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head injuries from a crash can lead to concussions or more serious TBIs, which may cause long-term cognitive and emotional issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis, affecting your mobility and independence.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can result in damage to internal organs, requiring immediate medical attention and ongoing care.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash, muscle strains, and ligament tears can cause chronic pain and discomfort, often requiring prolonged treatment.

These injuries not only affect your physical well-being but can also lead to long-term disabilities that affect your daily life and activities.

Emotional Trauma

In addition to physical injuries, survivors often experience the profound emotional tolls of a drunk driving accident:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety can make it challenging to return to your normal routine.
• Depression and Anxiety: The trauma of the accident, coupled with the pain of injuries and the stress of recovery, can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worry.
• Adjustment Issues: Coping with new physical limitations or lifestyle changes can cause frustration and emotional distress. 

Emotional trauma can affect your overall quality of life and hinder your recovery process, so you need to address both your physical and mental health needs.

Financial Problems

The financial impact of a drunk driving accident can overwhelm you, often creating additional stress during an already difficult time.

You may face:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, and ongoing treatments can quickly add up.
• Rehabilitation Costs: You may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other costly forms of rehabilitation to help you recover.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may experience a significant loss of income, which can strain your financial resources.
• Future Medical Costs: You may need long-term care or future surgeries, adding to your financial burdens. 

Dealing with insurance companies and the legal system can also complicate your financial situation. Insurance adjusters may offer settlements that do not fully cover your expenses or may delay payments, adding to your stress and uncertainty.

How Our Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Can Help

While the fundamental principles of liability and compensation remain the same as in standard personal injury cases, several factors can complicate drunk driving cases:

Evidence of Intoxication

• Proof of Drunkenness: Establishing that the other driver was intoxicated can involve analyzing additional layers of evidence, such as blood alcohol content (BAC) tests, field sobriety tests, or witness statements. The complexity of gathering and presenting this evidence can affect the case’s progress.
• Criminal Proceedings: The DUI charge adds another legal layer with its own set of procedures and evidence requirements. The outcome of the criminal case can affect the civil case, but the criminal and civil processes run concurrently, each with its own complexities.

Legal Proceedings

• Separate Legal Systems: Drunk driving cases involve both criminal and civil legal systems. While the criminal case focuses on penalizing the offender, the civil case seeks compensation for damages. Criminal proceedings may delay or affect the civil case.
• Potential for Increased Damages: The criminal nature of the offense can sometimes lead to punitive and compensatory damages. Proving the driver’s particularly reckless or egregious actions may result in higher compensation.

Insurance Adjustments

• Insurance Claims: Insurance companies might view drunk driving cases differently. They may settle quickly due to the clear liability but could also contest the claim based on the specifics of the DUI. Criminal charges can influence the insurance company’s approach, making negotiations more complex.
• Policy Limits: The drunk driver’s insurance policy might have limits that are quickly reached due to the severity of the case, potentially requiring additional claims or legal actions to recover full compensation.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

• Trauma and Stress: The involvement of a drunk driver can heighten the emotional and psychological impact of the accident. This added layer of distress can affect the overall handling of the case, including the claimant’s ability to focus on legal proceedings and recovery.
• Public Perception: High-profile or particularly egregious drunk driving cases may attract public attention, potentially affecting how various parties, including insurance companies and courts, perceive and handle the case.

Legal Strategy and Evidence

• Burden of Proof: While establishing liability in a standard personal injury case requires proving negligence, drunk driving cases provide a clear indication of fault due to the criminal charge. However, proving the full extent of damages and linking them directly to the drunk driving incident can still be intricate.
• Witness Testimonies: Gathering reliable witness testimonies and evidence to support the claim can be more challenging in drunk driving cases, especially if the driver disputes the level of intoxication or the circumstances of the accident. 

Having an experienced attorney who understands these nuances can be crucial in navigating these complexities and ensuring that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, we understand the complexities of dealing with a drunk driving accident and the interplay between criminal and civil legal matters. 

Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process, from leveraging the criminal case to bolster your personal injury claim to managing the intricacies of insurance negotiations and courtroom proceedings. We work diligently to ensure your rights are protected. 

By handling the legal complexities, we allow you to focus on your recovery and well-being. If a drunk driver has injured you, contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your personal injury case and ensure that justice is served.

Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Colorado

When you’ve been injured in an accident, the statute of limitations sets the time limit for filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries. Missing this deadline could result in losing your right to pursue legal action and recover damages. 

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims for all tort actions for bodily injury or property damage arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle is typically three years from the date of the accident or injury. This means you generally have three years to file a lawsuit in civil court after the incident that caused your injury. 

Keep this timeframe in mind, as filing your claim after the statute of limitations has expired can bar you from obtaining compensation. If you don’t know the specifics of your situation or the applicable deadlines, consult a drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible. 

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, our experienced attorneys can explain the relevant statutes and file your claim within the necessary timeframe.

Contact Us Today for Help with a Drunk Driving Accident Case

After a drunk driving accident in Colorado Springs, don’t hesitate to reach out to Franklin D. Azar & Associates. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. 

Our experienced team is ready to listen to your story and answer your questions. If you hire us, we will start right away to build a strong case on your behalf. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no up-front costs. 

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer helps you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and fight for your rights. You don’t have to face this challenging time alone. 

Call our Colorado Springs, CO, office at (719) 722-3190 or contact us online.

Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers – Colorado Springs Office

5536 Library Ln,
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
P: (719) 722-3190