Drunk driving is a serious problem in Minnesota and throughout the country. Getting behind the wheel while impaired or intoxicated by alcohol is a reckless decision that can alter lives forever. If you or your family has suffered serious losses in a drunk driving accident in Minneapolis, the Minneapolis car accident lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC can help you protect your rights and find the right route forward with personalized legal services.
Why Is Drunk Driving So Dangerous?
Driving while impaired (DWI) is one of the top causes of catastrophic and fatal car accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 34 people die in drunk driving accidents every day. In 2023, 12,429 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired driving accidents.
Drunk driving is extremely dangerous due to the effects that alcohol has on an individual’s motor skills and cognitive function. Alcohol can cause slower reflexes, delayed reaction times, lack of coordination, trouble concentrating, vision impairment, poor judgment and reckless decision-making. In a driver, these are critical problems that can lead to serious car accidents.
Common Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Drunk drivers often engage in reckless driving behaviors that increase the severity of these collisions, such as speeding, red-light running and wrong-way driving. Sadly, this means victims frequently suffer catastrophic, permanent and fatal injuries.
Common DWI accident injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Head and skull trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Soft-tissue damage
- Severe burns or lacerations
- Wrongful death
DWI accident injuries can lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and significant pain and suffering for the victim and his or her family. A drunk driving accident claim can seek financial compensation for all of these losses, among others.
Holding a Drunk Driver Accountable for Your Crash in Minneapolis
Minnesota Statutes § 169A.20 makes it a crime to “drive, operate, or be in physical control of any motor vehicle” while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, an intoxicating substance or any combination thereof. If a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or more, he or she is guilty of DWI. This limit is reduced to 0.04 for commercial drivers.
In addition to facing criminal charges and penalties for driving drunk, the driver could also be held civilly liable for any car accidents, injuries or deaths caused by DWI. As an injured victim, you have the right to file a claim or personal injury lawsuit in Minneapolis against the intoxicated driver in pursuit of justice and financial compensation.
Under Minnesota’s dram shop law, you may also be able to hold the bar, restaurant or alcohol vendor who sold the drunk driver alcohol legally responsible. Alcohol vendors can be held accountable for overserving someone who was already intoxicated, serving someone under the age of 21, or selling alcohol in prohibited hours or without a license.
How a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Minneapolis Can Help
Navigating a drunk driving accident case in Minneapolis can feel overwhelming, especially if you suffered serious injuries or an insurance company is not cooperating. The most effective way to protect your rights during this difficult time is by hiring an experienced Minneapolis drunk driving accident attorney.
The drunk driving accident lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC have over 40 years of experience and more than $200 million in recoveries for past clients. We have what it takes to represent you with compassion, determination and the strong desire to see justice served. Our law firm is known for getting life-changing results for life-changing injuries.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a recent drunk driving or DWI accident in Minneapolis, contact us for a free consultation to discuss how our Minneapolis drunk driving lawyers can help.