Recovering Compensation For The Victims Of Drunk Driving Accidents
Last updated on April 9, 2025
In the United States, one person dies every 39 minutes in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. In 2022, 13,524 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, which account for 32% of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S. (Source: NHTSA traffic safety facts)
The offenders often receive only a slap on the wrist from the criminal justice system, so a victim’s only realistic remedy is to pursue a civil claim and/or lawsuit for damages in court. If you or someone you know has been injured by a drunk driver, an experienced attorney can help you bring him or her to justice.
At Becker, Kellogg & Berry, P.C., we help drunk driving accident victims and the families of fatal accident victims pursue personal injury claims and lawsuits when necessary. We are here to help you obtain maximum financial compensation for the losses that this reckless and careless drunk driver has forced you to endure.
Immediate Actions To Take Following A Wreck With A Drunk Driver
After being struck by an intoxicated motorist, your actions in the following hours and days can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. These include:
- Seek medical attention: Visit a doctor even if injuries seem minor, as some symptoms may develop later
- Report to authorities: Confirm law enforcement documents the accident if they have not already responded
- Gather information: Collect the driver’s insurance details and contact information from any witnesses
- Document evidence: Take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions and visible injuries
- Maintain records: Keep detailed files of all medical treatments, diagnoses and prescriptions
Consulting with an attorney who focuses on drunk driving cases promptly can provide guidance through this difficult process and help preserve critical evidence for your claim.
Types Of Compensation You Can Claim In Drunk Driving Cases
Victims of intoxicated drivers may pursue several categories of damages beyond standard compensation. Potential financial recovery often includes:
- Economic damages: Tangible financial losses, including current and future medical expenses
- Lost income: Compensation for missed work and reduced future earning capacity
- Property replacement: Coverage for vehicle damage and personal property destroyed in the crash
- Noneconomic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages: Additional compensation designed to punish particularly reckless behavior
In Virginia, drunk driving accident cases frequently qualify for punitive damages, which can substantially increase the overall compensation. Family members who have lost loved ones may also pursue wrongful death claims with specific recoverable damages.
What Helps Build A Strong Case Against Intoxicated Drivers
Successfully pursuing claims against drunk drivers requires substantial documentation and evidence. Important elements that strengthen your case include:
- Police documentation: Official reports containing field sobriety tests and blood alcohol content results
- Medical evidence: Records establishing the connection between the accident and your injuries
- Witness testimony: Statements from people who observed the accident or the driver’s condition
- Professional assessments: Opinions from accident reconstruction professionals
- Visual evidence: Photographs, surveillance footage and diagrams of the accident scene
Our attorneys at Becker, Kellogg & Berry, P.C., have significant experience gathering the evidence necessary to show that another driver’s intoxication was the cause of a wreck.
Compensation In Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuits
In addition to compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, in a drunk driving case or another personal injury case, you may be able to pursue punitive damages. These unique damages are intended to punish the offender and deter others from acting in the same irresponsible manner. Punitive damages also make the potential financial award for car accident victims significantly higher.
We have handled numerous drunk driving cases and are familiar with the unique statutes and procedures involved in establishing liability and pursuing punitive damages when appropriate.
We will access police reports, traffic court documents, seek eyewitness testimony and collect other evidence that supports your claim. Our goal is twofold: helping you obtain the financial resources that you need and making the guilty party pay substantially for the damages that he or she has unlawfully caused.
Get Justice
If you or someone you know has been injured in a DUI accident, or you have lost a loved one in a fatal car crash caused by a drunk driver, we are here to protect and fight for your rights. Contact us today at 703-962-1829 to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer. Foreign language translation services are available on request.