Memphis Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Donati Law, PLLC Stands for Justice & Fairness

It would be unfair to expect someone who was hit by a drunk driver to pay for all of their own damages, like medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages. Yet insurance companies routinely try to find a way out of paying anything to drunk driving accident victims. At Donati Law, PLLC in Memphis, we are proud to do our part to make certain that injured motorists can get the financial recoveries they need and deserve.

We have built a tradition of excellence across the many years of our practice history. If there is a driver or insurer giving you trouble, then we are prepared to give them a fight right back. Your recovery and comfort are our top priorities from the moment you hire us to be your legal guides.

Call (901) 209-5500 or contact us online. We offer services in English and Spanish.

Understanding Your Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident

After a drunk driving accident, it's crucial to understand your legal rights and the steps you can take to protect yourself. At Donati Law, PLLC, we believe that knowledge is power, and we are committed to empowering our clients with the information they need to make informed decisions.

Here are some important rights and considerations to keep in mind:

  • Right to Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety should be your top priority. If you are injured, seek medical care immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
  • Right to Document the Accident: Collecting evidence at the scene, such as photographs, witness statements, and police reports, can significantly strengthen your case.
  • Right to File a Claim: You have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the accident.
  • Right to Legal Representation: You are entitled to have an attorney represent you and advocate for your best interests throughout the legal process.
  • Right to Know the Status of Your Case: You should be kept informed about your case's progress and any developments that may arise.

At Donati Law, PLLC, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the legal process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your options.

What Compensation Can You Get?

The first question that might be on your mind when you file a drunk driving accident claim is about how much compensation you can get from the driver who hit you. What is it that they owe you? How do you go about getting that much?

With us working on your case, you can leave these questions and their answers up to us. We know how to uncover all damages you suffered and relevant insurance policies held by the drunk driver. After examining every damage – non-economic and economic – we can carefully calculate them together to reach the amount of compensation you are owed.

You could get compensation that helps pay for:

  • All past and future medical treatments related to your injuries.
  • All income you have not and will not be able to earn due to your disabilities.
  • Vehicle repairs or a total vehicle replacement if needed.
  • Pain, suffering, and hardships you have experienced and must now live with.

Who is Responsible for Your Crash?

The driver who hit you is obviously responsible for the crash, so you will want to file a claim against their auto insurance provider. However, the drunk driver might not be the only liable party, depending on the situation that led up to the accident. Tennessee has a dram shop law (TN Code Section 57-10-102) that sometimes allows injured parties to sue the vendor who provided alcohol to the driver who would later crash. The law is quite limited, though, and only applies when the vendor sold alcohol to someone who it knew to be younger than 21 and who was visibly drunk at the time of purchase.

Vendors in dram shop laws can include:

  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Convenience stores
  • Hotels
  • Specialty liquor shops
  • And so on

Can a Social Host Be Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident?

Tennessee does not extend its dram shop law to social hosts, like someone hosting a party in their backyard. If a social host gave alcohol to someone who was visibly drunk, even a minor, and that person left the party and caused a crash, then the host would likely still be immune from any repercussions in a civil court. At the most, they could face a criminal charge for intoxicating a minor, but that is an entirely separate situation from anything related to the drunk driving accident.

How We Can Help

Donati Law and our Memphis drunk driving accident lawyers are ready to hear and help you during this difficult time. We can help by guiding you through each step of your claim or completely handling it in your name. Most of our clients prefer the latter because it allows them to rest while we get their case moving. Our representation is famous throughout Tennessee for combining professionalism and genuine compassion shown to our clients.

To learn more about your legal options, dial (901) 209-5500 today.