Drunk Driving Car Accidents

Most people are not surprised to learn that drunk drivers are among the leading causes of serious accidents and fatal crashes on the roads today. When it comes to the thought of drunk driving accidents in their hometowns, however, they may be unaware of the threat that they face. With four major highways in the area, Cranston residents face a risk of injuries or death due to drunk drivers traveling at high speeds. As the third-largest city in Rhode Island with a population of nearly 100,000 residents, accidents happen all too often. In 2014 alone, Cranston experienced two fatal accidents involving a drunk driver on ramps off State Route 10 and State Route 37. Cranston drunk driving accident lawyer David Tapalian is prepared to assist you during this stressful time and to ensure that you assert your rights to the fullest extent of the law.

The State of Rhode Island takes a firm stance against drunk driving, imposing serious penalties on drivers who get behind the wheel when they are too intoxicated to operate a vehicle safely and effectively. As with most other states, Rhode Island’s penalties for intoxicated driving are largely based on the motorist’s blood alcohol content, or BAC. If you are operating a motor vehicle with a BAC in excess of 0.08%, you are in violation of the law and can be arrested for drunk driving. If you are under the age of 21, which is the legal age that a person can purchase and consume alcohol in Rhode Island, you can be convicted even if your BAC is between 0.02% and 0.08%. If you are driving under the influence and cause a motor vehicle accident that results in a loss of life, you have committed a felony and face serious consequences. An individual who is convicted of one or more drunk driving incidents may face a number of penalties, including jail time, probation, and monetary fines.

If you are injured as a result of a drunk driving crash, you can bring a negligence action with the assistance of a drunk driving accident attorney in the Cranston area. Negligence is a long-standing and widely recognized legal concept that refers to the level of care that we must all exhibit when going about our daily business. When it comes to driving, this includes using the same prudence and skill that a reasonable person would use when facing the same circumstances.

Since a prudent driver would not violate applicable Rhode Island traffic or criminal laws, including the DUI ban, any violation of a law that occurred at the time of the crash can serve as the basis for a strong argument that the defendant acted negligently. After showing that the driver drove drunk and thus was negligent, you must prove that this negligence was the cause of the injuries that you suffered and provide evidence illustrating the compensation that you are claiming in relation to the crash.

In the unfortunate event that a crash leads to the death of a victim, Rhode Island allows surviving family members to bring a wrongful death action to recover compensation for the loss of their loved one’s companionship, society, and support. Strict procedural rules apply to these claims, so you should promptly consult an attorney to assess whether you may have a case.

Car accidents are stressful and often life-changing experiences for a victim and their family. When a drunk driver is involved in a high-speed crash, the injuries that result can be catastrophic, including permanent disabilities or even death. Knowing the extent of your legal rights and ensuring that you receive every dollar of compensation that you deserve can be daunting without retaining a car accident lawyer. At Tapalian Law, we serve Rhode Island victims who have endured physical and financial harm as a result of a car accident. We provide a free consultation with a Cranston drunk driving accident attorney to discuss your situation. Call us now at 401-552-5000 or contact us online to set up your appointment.