When an Ohio resident leaves their house in the morning, be it for work or to run an errand, they say goodbye to their loved ones under the assumption that they will return home at the end of the day. When they do not return due to a tragic accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, family members may strive to come to terms with their loss. When they learn their loved one was hit by a drunk driver, it is even more frustrating – a drunk driving accident is one that is completely avoidable had the driver not gotten behind the wheel intoxicated.

Ohio is slightly above the national average when it comes to fatalities involving alcohol-the national average is one in three traffic deaths whereas in Ohio fatalities attributed to alcohol comprise 30 percent of the state’s total traffic deaths. For family members who are coping with their loss, that number is way too high.

At Gregory S. Young Co., LPA, we understand the impact losing a loved one in a crash has on a family. They understand the frustration and anger Ohio residents experience but they also know the importance of working quickly to gather evidence while it is available. Rather than burden family members, our lawyers can carry out the investigation for them and go through the legalities.

Ohio residents may be entitled to compensation from the drunk driver and this compensation may help ease financial burdens associated with the accident in the form of medical bills, funeral expenses and lost wages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents

Victims of drunk driving accidents face multiple struggles as they try to recover physically and financially from their ordeals. Here are some of the questions our attorneys hear most often:

How can I prove that the driver who hit me was drunk?

Evidence such as the responding officer’s report, the fact that charges were filed against the other driver, the other driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) test results and eyewitness testimonies can all help prove that the driver who struck you was impaired.

What damages can I get after a drunk driving accident?

Broadly speaking, victims of drunk driving accidents can ask for compensation related to both their economic and noneconomic losses. Economic losses include things like property damage, medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic losses include things like your pain and suffering, the loss of consortium with your spouse and mental anguish.

Can I pursue my accident claim against a drunk driver while there’s a criminal trial in process?

Personal injury claims and criminal cases are two different areas of the law, so they operate independently of each other. You can file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver who injured you at any time within the statute of limitations, no matter what is happening in their criminal case.

Who else could be liable for my injuries in a drunk driving accident?

Both Ohio and Kentucky have what are known as “dram shop” laws. Ohio Rev. Code § 4399.18. and Kentucky Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.241 permit the victims of drunk drivers to hold commercial establishments liable for the damages caused by drunk drivers when it can be shown that they “overserved.” Generally, this means establishing through video evidence, liquor receipts and witness testimony that the bar or restaurant continued to serve the drunk driver after they were clearly intoxicated.