Ron Kramer Law Group

Utah Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

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The number of alcohol related-crashes in Utah is significant. If you or someone you care about has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, you should contact an experienced Utah drunk driving accident attorney to help you get a fair recovery and compensation for those injuries. The Kramer Law Group is dedicated to serve those who have been victims of drunk drivers and hold those persons who chose to drink and drive accountable for their actions.

If you have been injured as the result of a drunk driver, give our office a call for a FREE 30 minute consultation at 801-553-8838, or fill out our free case evaluation form.

Drunk Driving Statistics are Alarming

Drunk driving statistics prove that many of the major vehicle crashes in the United States come as a result of drunk driving and related negligence. In all of the 50 states, including Utah, the states apply two statutory offenses for persons caught while drinking and driving. The first of these is called “Driving Under the Influence” (DUI). It is sometimes also called Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired” (DWI) or Operating While Intoxicated/Impaired (OWI). This second offense is referred to as “illegal per se,” which is defined as driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) or .08% or higher. Since the year 2002, all drivers in the U.S., including Utah, who have driven with a BAC of .08 or higher have been driving illegally.

The drunk driving statistics also show that in 2007 there were over 13,000 fatalities in alcohol-related vehicle crashes in the United States. This is 31.7% of the total vehicle accident-related fatalities for that year! Indeed, for the last decade, alcohol has been a factor in somewhere between 39 and 41% of all crash fatalities in the U.S. each year. When you combine the fatalities caused by other impaired driving, including illegal drug use and prescription drug abuse, the amount of fatalities caused by substance-impaired driving rises to 50 percent or more!

Compensation and Recovery Available to Victims

Victims or family members of those who have been injured or died as a result of a Utah drunk driving accident, may be legally entitled to receive compensation for their injuries or wrongful death. This money will usually come from insurance companies who write policies to cover vehicles and their owners involved in this kind of car accident. Even when a Utah drunk driving accident is not fatal, people can still be very seriously injured and disabled, sometimes losing important body parts or becoming paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. Driving while intoxicated is indeed a very serious matter.

There are a number of non-profit agencies involved in educating the public about the grave consequences of driving while intoxicated. One of the most popularly-known groups is MADD. This group favors educating the public, victim assistance and advocacy. MADD also pursues strict laws to penalize and dissuade motorists from driving drunk, and seek strict sanctions for DUI offenses. MADD also assists those who are victims of drunk driving, promotes a reasonable age for driving and encourages that “breathalyzer” tests be given to Utah suspects in drunk driving incidents to measure the suspect’s alcohol content.

A Utah Drunk Driving Accident Attorney or Lawyer Can Help

Utah enacted laws and other legal issues related to drunk driving in Utah can be confusing. If you are a victim of drunk driving, it really is in your best interest to contact an experienced drunk driving attorney or lawyer to help you file a claim with the insurance company, or if that doesn’t work, a lawsuit against the person who chose to drive drunk. A Utah drunk driving attorney, such as those found at the Kramer Law Group, can make a claim against the drunk’s insurance company and/or file a lawsuit against this same drunk to hold that driver responsible to the fullest extent possible for their actions. Such an experienced lawyer will seek financial recovery for you to pay your medical expenses, inability to work, future medical expenses and the loss of your enjoyment of live, among other recoverable damages. So, contact an attorney at the Kramer Law Group to assess your case and, if accepted, to vigorously pursue it.

Punitive Damages for Utah Drunk Drivers

Utah citizens do not like those who drink and then get behind the wheel and injure fellow motorists. This type of conduct makes the roads in Utah unsafe and as enforcers of community safety standards, a jury comprised of eight citizens will really stick it to the violator of Utah’s drunk driving laws. In fact, in such an instance, the guilty party will be subject to “punitive damages” that are designed to punish and deter the violator’s future conduct as well as others who will hear about the outcome in that case.

If the Insurance Company is Calling . . .

So, if an insurance adjuster is calling in an accident-related, drunk driving case, make sure you get a free consultation with an experienced Utah drunk driving attorney or lawyer before you talk to them. Remember that the insurance company first has their employer’s interests at heart. It is therefore vital that you first talk to an attorney about your case and then follow their advice so as to avoid damaging your case.

For experienced and effective legal representation, we invite you to give us a call at 801-553-8838 to discuss your case. We offer a FREE 30 minute consultation on all personal injury matters, including drunk driving accident cases.