If you or someone you love was hurt in a drunk driving accident in Millville, Ohio, you may have many questions. You and your family might be struggling with unexpected expenses, lost wages due to missed days at work, and you may be struggling to make ends meet. With any personal injury claim, the person against whom you are trying to make a claim must be found negligent for the crash. With drunk driving claims, the driver who was charged with drinking and driving is most likely to be found at fault for the accident. Drunk driving is not just against the law, it poses a hazard to everyone on the road. Victims and their families may be entitled to seek compensation from drunk drivers and their insurers. If a bar served a person alcohol who was visibly intoxicated, victims may also be able to seek damages from the bar or restaurant for their losses under Ohio’s dram shop laws. In the aftermath of a drunk driving accident, victims and their families might have a range of options when it comes to seeking damages. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a drunk driving accident law firm serving Millville, Ohio that may be able to assist you with your case. Our attorneys can review the details of your accident, estimate the value of your claims, and identify potential stakeholders who may be responsible for paying for your damages.
Hurt in a Drunk Driving Crash in Millville, Ohio: Who Pays?
If you were hurt in a drunk driving crash in Millville, Ohio, you might be wondering who is responsible for paying for your damages and losses. In the aftermath of an accident, the negligent party is generally responsible for paying for damages for a victims’ medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and pain and suffering. However, after a drunk driving accident, your drunk driving lawyer can review various factors because multiple parties might be responsible for covering your damages. Who pays after a drunk driving accident?
The drunk driver. Obviously, the driver at fault for the accident will generally be responsible for paying for damages. However, sometimes these drivers may not have the money on hand to cover all your losses and medical bills. If this is the case, your drunk driving lawyer may be able to turn to other parties.
The drunk driver’s insurance company. If the drunk driver is insured, his or her insurance may be able to cover your damages and losses up to the driver’s insurance limits. This can help you pay for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and other losses.
Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If the drunk driver’s insurance coverage isn’t sufficient to cover all your losses and limits are reached, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be able to kick in.
Bar owners or individuals who served alcohol. Under Ohio’s dram shop laws, victims may also be able to seek damages from bars or restaurants that knowingly served alcohol to a person who was drunk. This can be difficult to prove, but if you can show that a bartender served many drinks to a single person or show from bills or receipts that the individual had quite a bit to drink at one bar or establishment, you may be able to seek damages. Additionally, if a bar, restaurant, or even if a private individual served alcohol to a person under age 21, you may also be able to seek damages from this party if the person’s choice to drink and drive resulted in your injuries.
These are some of the parties that could be held responsible if you or someone you love was hurt in a drunk driving accident in Millville, Ohio. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a drunk driving law firm serving Millville, Ohio that can evaluate your case, identify responsible parties, and fight to help you get the compensation you may deserve. Understanding the potential value of your case is also important when negotiating with insurance adjusters and when seeking damages from negligent parties. The more serious your injuries, the better it might be to have a personal injury lawyer review and evaluate your claim.
Justice for Drunk Driving Victims
Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a drunk driving accident law firm serving Millville, Ohio that fights for justice for drunk driving victims. Contact us today. Drunk driving crashes are highly preventable. When individuals choose to drink and drive, victims who hold them accountable send a strong message to the community that drunk driving will not be tolerated.
