Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Call the Nashville attorney people trust

Drunk driving is extremely dangerous behavior. Unfortunately, people still get behind the wheel after having too much to drink and cause car accidents that leave others seriously injured. Drunk drivers need to be held accountable but recovering financial compensation can be a complicated process.

The Law Office of Eric Beasley can help. Nashville drunk driving accident attorney Eric Beasley has been fighting for the injured in the Nashville area for more than 20 years. He’s not afraid of tough cases and puts the in hard work needed to get results. That’s just one reason he continues to get referrals from former clients and other attorneys.

Fighting for the rights of the injured since 2001

In Tennessee, as in other states, it’s against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher may result in criminal charges. Despite the law, there are still people who drive while impaired and put others at unnecessary risk of harm.

Drunk drivers often demonstrate distracted or reckless behaviors, such as driving well over the speed limit or disregarding traffic signals. Alcohol can affect a driver’s judgement and slow reaction time. If a drunk driver causes a car accident, and another person is harmed, the driver may be considered negligent and liable for damages.

Drunk driving accident injuries

People injured in drunk driving accidents can suffer serious injuries to the neck or back, broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury. They may need surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy and home health care. Recovery may take months or longer. Some people are left with a permanent disability.

Medical expenses can add up fast and victims may experience financial stress, especially if they are unable to work. Recovering financial compensation can be difficult. Negligent drivers may challenge blood alcohol tests and deny responsibility. They may argue that you were partially to blame for the accident.

This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer on your side. We know the law and know exactly what to do if you have been hit by a drunk driver in Nashville or another nearby community.

Does car insurance cover drunk driving accidents?

The short answer? Yes. If a drunk driver caused your car accident, you can and should be compensated for your injury claim. Tennessee has an at-fault car insurance system. That means the at-fault party (and their insurance company) is responsible for paying for your medical bills, vehicle repairs and other accident-related expenses.

But just because the at-fault driver’s insurance company should pay for your accident does not mean they will automatically do so. In many cases, insurance companies will do everything they can to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all.

This is why it’s important to have an experienced Nashville drunk driving accident lawyer on your side, helping you deal directly with insurance companies. And if they don’t cooperate, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf in Davidson County or wherever your drunk driving accident took place.

Hit by a drunk driver – what to do

You need to act fast if you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. If your car accident recently happened, make sure you take the following steps right away to protect your health and your rights:

• Call the police and tell them you have been involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.
• If you believe you have a serious injury, ask the police to send an ambulance.
• If you’re not sure how seriously you’re hurt, seek immediate medical attention. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Have a doctor examine you right away.
• Stay in your vehicle until police arrive. Drunk drivers can be violent and unpredictable.
• Don’t talk directly to the other driver. Simply talk to the investigating police officer or state trooper from the Tennessee Highway Patrol who responded to your accident.
• Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and insurance information from the investigating police officer.
• Get the investigating officer’s name and badge number. That way, you can reach them later if necessary.
• Soon after your accident, make sure you get a copy of your official Tennessee car accident report.
• Make sure you carefully review your accident report for accuracy. In particular, make sure the report states that the driver was drunk if they were legally intoxicated.
• Call an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you have an attorney helping you with your drunk driving accident claim or lawsuit, the better.

Rear-ended by a drunk driver – what to do

One of the most common car accidents caused by drunk drivers is rear-end accidents. If you have been hit by a drunk driver in a rear-end crash, follow the same steps listed above for what to do after an accident.

Also make sure to pay close attention to warning signs of a serious injury caused by your crash. Rear-end accidents often result in serious back and neck injuries, some of which can take time to develop.

This is why it’s important to schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor. In many cases, rear-end accident injuries due to drunk driving take several days to develop. So just because you feel fine immediately after your accident doesn’t mean you’re ok. You could have a very serious injury that needs to be diagnosed and treated.

We’ve helped thousands of clients

That’s why you need an experienced attorney who knows how to build strong cases. Our legal team gets right to work and investigates your crash. We gather evidence, review accident reports and medical records and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists.

Our drunk driving accident lawyers also determine the total damages you have suffered and demand compensation. Lost wages, medical expenses, and damage to a vehicle are examples of economic damages. Pain and suffering, loss of ability to enjoy life, and loss of consortium are types of non-economic damages. Punitive damages may also be available in drunk driving cases.

Attorney Beasley knows how a drunk driving accident can impact your life and never loses sight of the damages you’ve suffered. He puts in the hard work needed to build a convincing case and won’t quit until you get the results you need, either through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver, don’t delay. Under Tennessee law, you have one year from the date of your accident to take legal action, and it can take time to gather evidence and build a strong case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer you can trust to fight for your rights.