Drunk driving is illegal in Arizona, but thousands of people get into a car while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, they crash into innocent people on the way home, causing intense bodily injuries and property damage. Hundreds of people also die in drunk driving accidents, which is a tragedy. Drunk driving is definitely a public health crisis, and under Arizona DUI laws, those who cause such accidents can face severe DUI charges.

CLS Law, PLLC, represents accident victims in injury claims against drunk drivers. We know personal injury law and DUI law inside and out, and we will use this knowledge when pulling together an injury claim. Whether you need a Gilbert DUI accident lawyer or guidance on Arizona DUI laws, give us a call. In a free consultation, we’ll discuss your accident, what you know, and how your injuries are negatively impacting your life. We can also review your legal right to financial compensation.

Drunk Driving Statistics in Arizona

Drunk driving accidents are common in Arizona. Statistics from the Department of Transportation show that Arizona had:

  • 5,761 alcohol-related crashes in 2023
  • 308 fatal crashes related to alcohol, with 332 killed
  • 2,455 accidents with injuries, resulting in 3,864 people injured

Alcohol causes well-known impairments. A driver who is intoxicated will have slower reflexes and be at greater risk of falling asleep. They can also struggle with spatial awareness and might hit someone because they can’t judge distance properly. Even worse, alcohol impairs a person’s judgment. Drunk drivers can engage in risky behavior and might run a red light, for example, which leads to high-speed impacts and serious injuries. If you or a loved one have been affected by such incidents, a skilled Gilbert DUI lawyer can provide the necessary legal assistance.

Our law firm has extensive experience in handling DUI cases. Whether you’re facing DUI charges or seeking compensation as a victim, our experienced Gilbert DUI attorneys are here to help. We understand the complexities of Arizona DUI laws and can guide you through the legal process.

What We Must Show to Win Your Case

Because we represent accident victims, we need to show the following:

The defendant did not drive safely

Often, we can use toxicology results that show the driver was drunk or high. This is crucial in cases involving DUI charges. We can also rely on other evidence, like your memories.

You suffered injuries in the crash

Drunk drivers usually cause dramatic injuries, such as concussions, whiplash, shoulder injuries, and spinal column injuries. An experienced Gilbert DUI lawyer can help ensure these injuries are properly documented and linked to the accident.

You suffered financial losses

You probably need medical care after a wreck, as well as car repairs. Any financial loss tied to the accident should be compensated. Whether you’re dealing with car repairs or medical bills, an experienced Gilbert DUI attorney can guide you through the process of recovering your losses.

The defendant caused your damages

You need to link the defendant’s failure to drive carefully to whatever injuries and car damage you suffered. This is where an experienced DUI lawyer’s expertise is critical.

These are civil cases, not criminal. We don’t need to show guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, we need enough evidence to show it’s more likely than not that the defendant is to blame for your accident. That’s the standard in civil court. It’s lower than for a criminal case, but it still requires a strong presentation of evidence, something a skilled DUI defense attorney excels at.

Other Impaired Driving

We can bring a claim against an impaired driver even if they don’t meet the legal definition of intoxicated under Arizona DUI laws. It’s enough that they did not drive safely. If you’re dealing with a situation like this, a Gilbert DUI lawyer can assist you in navigating the complexities of your case.

Any impairment can make the defendant liable for your wreck. We can even submit a claim if the driver was impaired by prescription drugs, like antidepressants or antianxiety meds. It’s not a defense that the driver had a valid prescription. They should not be behind the wheel if they can’t drive safely. Whether the impairment involves illegal drugs, prescription medication, or alcohol, our experienced Gilbert DUI attorneys are equipped to handle these complex cases.

Compensation for a Drunk Driving Accident in Gilbert

Our goal is to get as much compensation as we can from the drunk driver who hurt you. To that end, we seek compensation for:

  • Medical treatment for your injuries
  • Rehabilitation
  • Prescription medication
  • Mental health counseling to deal with the trauma
  • Lost wages or income if you can’t work as you recover
  • Car repairs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish and emotional distress

If you’re dealing with DUI charges against the responsible party, our Gilbert accident lawyer can be instrumental in securing the compensation you deserve. Someone with catastrophic injuries—paralysis, amputation, and so on—can usually receive much more than someone whose injuries are minor. Call our law firm today. We will discuss your prognosis, as well as your ability to get back to work.

In Arizona, we might also request punitive damages to punish the drunk driver. Punitive damages aren’t available in every car wreck. But if the driver acted with an evil mind or evil intent, we can seek them. Drunk driving cases are classic examples where punitive damages are appropriate. Our experienced Gilbert DUI attorney can help you understand your options under Arizona DUI laws.

Arizona’s Dram Shop & Social Host Liability Laws

Arizona generally protects licensed bars and taverns from liability when they serve a driver who later gets into a crash. But Arizona Revised Statutes § 4-311 makes exceptions if the bar serves someone:

  • Who is intoxicated, or
  • Is younger than 21 or someone the bar did not ask for proof of age

In these two situations, we might sue the licensee for compensation if the driver goes on to crash into you. This is often a helpful step because bars and taverns should have insurance to cover an accident. The pot of compensation just got bigger, and our Gilbert DUI lawyers can help you navigate this process.

Social host liability applies if a private person provides liquor to a minor on their property, and this person goes on to crash into you. So if an adult serves high school students alcohol at their summer camp, you could sue them for a crash. Our experienced DUI attorneys at our law firm are well-versed in Arizona law and can determine whether such a claim is applicable to your case.

Our Gilbert DUI accident lawyer always analyzes whether we can add a bar/tavern or a social host as a defendant. This thorough approach ensures that every potential source of compensation is explored.

Statute of Limitations

Arizona personal injury cases have deadlines victims must meet when filing a lawsuit. According to Arizona DUI laws, the deadline is two years from the day of the accident. You need to have a lawsuit filed before then.

This deadline is critical. When victims go over the deadline, they lose the ability to sue. That could also impact settlement negotiations, making it that much harder to receive anything from the defendant. It’s best to get a case filed before the deadline. Our Gilbert DUI accident lawyer can run to court and file a case, if necessary, but it’s best to just call us soon after the accident.

Our Approach to Gilbert DUI Accident Cases

Our clients are often shaken following a crash. They might even be in the hospital when they call us asking for help. You are in pain and unsure of your future. This is a tough time.

Our approach to DUI accident cases involves:

Full evidence collection and analysis

We want to know everything that happened, including what actions you took before the crash. Arizona is a comparative negligence state. Any carelessness on your part could reduce the compensation you receive. We aren’t afraid to go out into the field and find evidence the police overlooked. For example, we might go to a tavern and ask people if the driver acted drunk.

Case analysis

We try to gauge the strength of the evidence and the value of your injuries. You should know whether you have a strong case.

Paperwork and claim submission

We will complete the paperwork for your case and get insurance companies whatever documents they need.

Negotiation with defendant(s)

We can begin the process by making an initial demand. Our law firm is aggressive. We realize insurers often reject our first offer, but we’d rather start high than start low. Our firm settles more than 90% of our car accident cases.

Litigation

CLS isn’t afraid of winning in court, either. We might file a lawsuit before the statutory deadline to preserve your rights, and we can present evidence to a judge and jury, if necessary.

Get Advice from a Gilbert DU Accident Lawyer

Accident victims have a right to seek compensation from a drunk driver, regardless of whether that person faces criminal charges. Our Gilbert DUI attorney will get a case filed in a civil justice system. We can also negotiate with a driver or even a bar/tavern for financial compensation for your injuries. These are horrifying accidents, and there’s no excuse for impaired drivers to be on the road. Until Arizona can guarantee public safety, it’s up to people like you to sue and seek accountability. Call our law firm at (855) 257-9467 to schedule a consultation with our office.