How to calculate damages for the victims of DUI accident settlements?
Although sometimes perceived as such, monetary awards from personal injury claims as a result of a car accident are not like winning the lottery. Nobody daydreams about receiving money because they or a loved one was injured in a car accident. The harsh reality is that any time a large jury award or settlement recovery for victims is made public, it is almost always followed by a headline about the “windfall” received by a victim of a reckless driver. In calculating the damages for victims of DUI accident settlements, courts take into account the impact that the DUI had on the victim’s life.
What these headlines fail to take into account is that a car accident can have very real, very expensive consequences. It would not be a fair or just system if a victim of someone who chooses to drive while intoxicated was responsible for the costs of their recovery.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in Phoenix have significant experience in helping clients who have been victims of DUI accident settlements. If you need help filing a claim for one of these awful, life changing accidents, we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our offices are conveniently located in Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person or over the phone or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor or psychiatrist who can help get your life back on track. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
If you are unsure whether or not you can afford an attorney if you are one of the DUI victims, don’t worry. We only get paid when you settle. Check out our Attorney Fees Calculator to find out more.
Calculating the Damages for Victims of DUI accident settlements
Every ding, dent, scrape, and scratch that a car did not have prior to being in an accident can accumulate into potentially thousands of dollars in repair work. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the average auto liability claim for property damage in 2012 was $3,073. These costs can skyrocket if any type of recovery for victims of DUI accident settlements involve the average personal injury.
In the same year, liability claims involving bodily injury was $14,653. It is important to realize that these two figures are only averages—meaning that the highest amounts could potentially be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars—and that they represent all car accidents throughout the United States. Shrinking the statistical pool down to the State of Arizona, the averages rise to $9,282 for car accidents that cause property damage alone and $23,154 for non-incapacitating injuries.
What Expenses are Recoverable as Potential Damages for victims of DUI accident settlements?
The types of damages listed above, property damage and medical treatment, are two of the most common types of damages that people think of in relation to car accidents. There are numerous other expenses that can incur recovery for victims of DUI accident settlements. What many people fail to think about are some of the more intangible damages, such as lost wages, diminished employment ability, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium (or affection). These types of damages can cost potentially into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a fatality is involved, the economic costs can be well over a million dollars per incident in the state of Arizona.
Should DIU Victims accept a Settlement from insurance?
When a driver makes the reckless decision to drive under the influence and crashes into an unsuspecting motorist, his or her insurance company may wish to offer the victim a monetary settlement to “cover” the damage done to their vehicle and/or immediate medical treatment costs. It is important for the victims of DUI accident settlements to understand the true cost to them and their loved ones before accepting any settlement offer. Call the professionals at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm, who can discuss the particular facts of your case and help ensure that you receive what you deserve to obtain the care you need after a car accident.
Get Help Now if You are one of the victims of DUI accident settlements
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping the victims of DUI accident settlements in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you are one of the victims of DUI accident settlements, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
