Parsippany Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Aggressive Representation for the Victims of Drunk Drivers in Morris County

Drunk driving crashes are a serious problem in New Jersey, leading to thousands of injuries and fatalities each year. If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving accident, you may be facing significant medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. You may also be struggling to cope with the emotional trauma of the accident and the pain of your injuries. In these situations, it is important to know that you have rights and that you may be entitled to compensation.

At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., our experienced Parsippany drunk driving accident lawyer is committed to helping the victims of drunk drivers recover the compensation they deserve. We understand the devastating impact that these accidents can have on victims and their families. That is why we work tirelessly to hold drunk drivers accountable and to help our clients recover full and fair compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving accident, call The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A. today at (973) 358-6134 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation with our drunk driving accident lawyer in Parsippany.

What Is Drunk Driving?

Drunk driving, also known as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), refers to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In New Jersey, like in many other states, driving under the influence (DUI) laws aim to prevent accidents and protect public safety by prohibiting individuals from operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In New Jersey, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% for drivers who are 21 years of age or older. For drivers under 21, there is a zero-tolerance policy, meaning any detectable amount of alcohol in their system is grounds for a DUI charge.

Driving under the influence in New Jersey can result in severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs, and even imprisonment. The penalties can increase for repeat offenders or if there are aggravating factors such as excessive speeding, causing an accident, or having a very high BAC level.

Law enforcement officers in New Jersey use various methods to detect and enforce DUI laws, including field sobriety tests, breathalyzer tests, and blood tests. If an individual is found to be driving under the influence, they can face legal consequences that can impact their life significantly. Therefore, it's crucial for individuals to avoid driving if they have consumed alcohol or drugs and to make alternative arrangements for transportation to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road.

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents

Common injuries may include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Sudden impact during a collision can lead to brain injuries, such as concussions, contusions, and even more severe traumatic brain injuries. TBIs can cause lasting cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments, impacting a victim’s ability to lead a normal life.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: The spine is highly vulnerable in motor vehicle accidents, particularly in rear-end or head-on collisions often caused by impaired drivers. Spinal injuries could lead to partial or full paralysis, significantly impacting mobility and independence.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: High-impact collisions could result in broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and facial areas. Fractures may require surgeries and physical therapy and can take months to heal, limiting a victim’s ability to work or engage in daily activities.
• Internal Injuries: Drunk driving accidents often cause blunt-force trauma that can damage internal organs, including the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. These injuries may not be instantly noticeable but can pose life-threatening risks if not promptly treated.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Ligament damage, muscle strains, and whiplash are common in these accidents. These injuries may seem minor initially but can lead to chronic pain and mobility problems if untreated.
• Emotional Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims of drunk driving accidents frequently experience emotional trauma, like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. This emotional toll can affect personal relationships, professional life, and overall quality of life.

How Alcohol Can Impair Your Driving

Alcohol affects driving skills in several ways, impairing various aspects of a driver's abilities:

• Impaired judgment and decision-making: Alcohol consumption can impair a person's ability to make sound judgments and decisions. This can result in risky behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, or attempting dangerous maneuvers.
• Slowed reaction time: Alcohol slows down the central nervous system, including the brain's ability to process information and send signals to the body. This delay in reaction time can significantly impair a driver's ability to respond to hazards, such as sudden stops or obstacles in the road.
• Decreased coordination: Alcohol can impair motor skills and coordination, making it difficult for drivers to perform basic tasks such as steering, braking, and shifting gears. This lack of coordination can lead to swerving, drifting out of lanes, and difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle.
• Reduced concentration and attention: Alcohol consumption can decrease a driver's ability to focus and maintain attention on the road and surrounding traffic. This can result in distracted driving behaviors and failure to notice important signs, signals, or hazards.
• Vision impairment: Alcohol can affect vision by causing blurred or double vision, reduced peripheral vision, and decreased ability to judge distances accurately. This can impair a driver's ability to see and react to obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles on the road.
• Overconfidence: Alcohol can reduce inhibitions and lead to overconfidence in one's driving abilities, even when impaired. This false sense of confidence can result in risky behaviors and poor decision-making on the road.

The Dangers of Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can lead to catastrophic and fatal injuries due to several factors:

• Increased severity of collisions: Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to erratic driving behaviors such as speeding, swerving, or running red lights. This increases the likelihood of collisions and the severity of impact when they occur. Drunk drivers may fail to brake or swerve to avoid a collision, resulting in higher-speed crashes that cause more severe injuries.
• Reduced effectiveness of safety measures: Seat belts, airbags, and other safety features in vehicles are designed to mitigate the impact of a collision and protect occupants. However, alcohol-impaired drivers may fail to use these safety measures properly or may not use them at all. Additionally, the force of impact in drunk driving accidents can exceed the capabilities of safety features, leading to catastrophic injuries despite their presence.
• Inconsistent driving patterns: Drunk drivers often exhibit inconsistent driving patterns, such as sudden acceleration, braking, or erratic lane changes. This unpredictability makes it challenging for other drivers to anticipate their movements and take evasive action to avoid a collision, increasing the likelihood of severe crashes.
• Increased risk of rollover accidents: Alcohol-impaired drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles, especially when navigating curves or making sudden maneuvers. This can lead to rollover accidents, which are particularly dangerous and often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
• Delayed emergency response: Alcohol impairs cognitive functions and decision-making abilities, leading to delayed or inappropriate responses in emergency situations. This can prolong the time it takes for emergency medical services to arrive at the scene of an accident, further exacerbating injuries and reducing the chances of survival for those involved.
• Secondary impacts and multi-vehicle collisions: Drunk driving accidents can trigger secondary impacts and multi-vehicle collisions, especially on busy roads or highways. These collisions can involve multiple vehicles and increase the overall severity of injuries due to the cumulative force of multiple impacts.
• Increased risk of ejection: In drunk driving accidents, occupants of vehicles may be more likely to be ejected from the vehicle upon impact, especially if they are not wearing seat belts or if the vehicle experiences a rollover. Ejection from a vehicle significantly increases the risk of severe injuries and fatalities.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

Potential damages may include the following:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for medical costs is often one of the most significant portions of a settlement or award. This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care that may be required because of ongoing complications from the accident.
• Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: Injuries from drunk driving accidents often lead to missed work, lost wages, and even an inability to return to previous employment. Victims could seek compensation for both current and future lost income, particularly if injuries have diminished their ability to work in the long term.
• Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by the accident. This type of damage considers the severity of injuries, their long-term impact, and how they affect daily life. These damages are subjective, but they play a crucial role in helping victims rebuild their lives.
• Emotional Distress: Drunk driving accidents could lead to emotional and psychological harm, which includes anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Compensation for emotional distress recognizes the mental toll and helps victims access necessary mental health support.
• Loss of Consortium: In serious circumstances where the injuries disrupt a victim’s family life or relationship, loved ones may be qualified to recover damages for loss of companionship and support. This is particularly relevant for spouses and immediate family members who experience the emotional impact of their loved one’s injuries.
• Punitive Damages: When the responsible party’s conduct is particularly reckless, punitive damages may be pursued. In these cases, these damages serve to penalize the driver for their dangerous behavior and act as a deterrent to others who may consider driving under the influence.

Contact Our Parsippany Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., our experienced Parsippany drunk driving accident lawyer is dedicated to helping the victims of drunk drivers recover the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, we will fight to hold the drunk driver accountable and to help you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle the most complex drunk driving accident cases.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driver, call The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A. today at (973) 358-6134 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation with our Parsippany drunk driving accident attorney. We are here to help.