Minnesota Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The drunk driving statistics in Minnesota are rather staggering. According to a government report compiled in 2008, over 23% of Minnesota drivers reported driving under the influence of alcohol in 2007, which is the highest percentage in the United States. At the same time, Minnesota had a record setting 42,000 DUI arrests the same year. Minnesota takes drunk driving very seriously, but there are those who have the “it is not going to happen to me” mentality when they get into a car after having enough drinks to push them over the legal blood alcohol limit of .08.
Because of such statistics, there is an unbelievable number of Minnesotans who have experienced the pain and suffering that is caused by drunk drivers. Dozens of innocent people are killed every single year.
Under Minnesota Statute, Section 169A, a person is to not be driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08. If an individual is documented as driving above this limit in a drunk driving accident, it is evidence of negligence in a civil case. This does not mean an automatic win in a case, but it does mean that the case is a strong one.
Minnesota Drunk Driving Injury Claim
So what can you claim as damages in your case?
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Cost of care
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages, which is the amount of money that is used to punished the party at fault for not taking the rights or safety of others into consideration.
If a loved one has died in a drunk driving accident, the spouse and next of kin may make a claim that includes:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of potential income
- Punitive damages
- Loss of protection, comfort, support, counsel, and society.
What are Punitive Damages?
Depending on the circumstances, a victim or the family of a victim can ask for punitive damages. It is important that your Minnesota drunk driving attorney is able to produce evidence effectively because such information regarding past drunk driving convictions of the accused is admissible in court. It is very likely punitive damages will be awarded if it is found that the accused has a past conviction, including vehicular homicide.
Even if the accused has not been charged or convicted of drunk driving, the victim can still bring a civil case against the accused. However, evidence of intoxication will still have to be provided.
Minnesota Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk driver or a loved one has been killed in a drunk driving accident, it is your right to file a claim for damages that have been incurred. Call us at 651-777-1811 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free no-cost, no-obligation consultation. You should not be alone in your case, so opt for the aggressive and compassionate representation that you deserve.
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