Your Right to Recovery If You Are Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident
Being injured in a drunk driving accident can be absolutely devastating. Depending on the severity of the crash it can leave you unable to work or with long-term health problems. In most cases, state law allows you to recover damages for your accident-related losses. The best way to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve is to retain an experienced attorney.
At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, P.A., we provide dedicated representation for individuals injured in drunk driving accidents in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Our lawyers fight to ensure that injured parties receive the maximum recovery allowed by law. If you or a loved one was hurt in a drunk driving accident, contact our office at (410) 685-2022 to schedule a free consultation.
Damages Available in a Maryland Drunk Driving Accident
If you are injured in a drunk driving accident, you might be entitled to damages. To determine how much you should seek from a liable party, you need to speak to an attorney. Maryland allows injured parties to seek both economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim.
Types of damages a person can collect in a drunk driving accident:
- Economic damages: Economic damages are out-of-pocket, monetary losses that are usually easy to calculate. These damages may include compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
- Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages are less easy to calculate and may include things like pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, and more.
It is important to know that there may be a cap or limitation on the amount of non-economic damages that you can receive. However, there is no cap on economic damages. To determine whether you are eligible to file a claim, you need to speak with an attorney.
Can a Drunk Driving Accident Receive Punitive Damages?
In addition to economic and non-economic, drunk driving accident victims may be able to request punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages which are designed to compensate an injured party for their losses, punitive damages are designed to punish a responsible party for their wrongdoing.
To recover punitive damages, you must show that the liable party had egregious behavior or was grossly negligent. It can be difficult to prove this kind of conduct, but drunk driving cases are often easier to show that the defendant acted with malice or had a “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of others. As with economic damages, Maryland does not impose a cap on punitive damages. However, they are not awarded in every personal injury case.
Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident? Contact Our Office
Were you or a loved one injured in a drunk driving accident? Contact our office at (410) 685-2022 to schedule a free consultation. Our firm has secured over $200 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. You should not have to settle for less than your case is worth. Call our office now to discuss all of your legal options with an experienced member of our legal team.
