How Is a DUI Accident Settlement Calculated?
If you were involved in a car crash involving a drunk driver, consider filing a DUI accident lawsuit against them. A DUI accident lawyer near you can help create a case and potentially put you in a position to collect compensatory and even punitive damages.
This compensation can be useful when deciding how to cover post-DUI accident medical expenses and fix property damage to your vehicle. It might also make up for lost wages and make emotional distress more manageable.
Calculating a DUI accident settlement is far from an exact science, as there isn’t a designated formula used to generate it. However, you can come up with a general idea of what a DUI accident case is worth.
Understanding What a DUI Accident Settlement Is
Despite what you might think about the legal system based on what you’ve seen on TV, the majority of DUI accident cases don’t actually end up going to trial. Many plaintiffs in these lawsuits agree to settle with defendants in exchange for them closing their cases, as this is often the most convenient solution for everyone involved.
Shortly after you take legal action against someone who you believe caused a DUI crash, your DUI accident lawyer can begin negotiating with the defendant and will continue negotiating with them right up until the very end of your case in the hopes of working out a DUI accident settlement.
This settlement will entitle you to compensation that you can utilize to cover any accident-related costs you might face. You and your attorney can determine what a fair DUI accident settlement is and strive to convince a defendant to agree.
Contact our team today so we can fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Considering the Factors That Can Impact a DUI Accident Settlement
There is a simple reason why the court systems in this country haven’t settled on a formula for calculating a DUI accident settlement. Too many factors can affect what a settlement should be, and they all change on a case-by-case basis.
Here are several important factors that can affect your DUI accident settlement:
- The severity of the injuries you sustained during a DUI crash
- The damage done to your vehicle and other pieces of property in a DUI accident
- The medical expenses you’ve paid and expect to pay in the future due to your DUI crash
- The lost wages you’ve endured by missing days of work following a DUI accident
Some states also allow DUI accident victims to ask for punitive damages in lawsuits. These damages are designed to serve as punishment for those who show reckless negligence in accident cases.
It isn’t uncommon for judges and juries to award punitive damages to plaintiffs in drunk driving accident lawsuits since the defendants are often accused of acting in a manner that puts other people’s lives at risk.
Calculating a DUI Accident Settlement
Online calculators exist if you’re interested in coming up with a fair estimate for a DUI accident settlement before filing a lawsuit or working your way through the legal process. A quick internet search will point you toward plenty of them.
However, these calculators aren’t always as accurate as you might like. They could cause you to misjudge the value of a DUI accident case and leave compensation on the table during settlement negotiations.
The so-called multiplier method is usually better for those wishing to calculate a DUI accident settlement. It’s one of the few DUI accident settlement calculators that seems to be reliable. It’s especially useful when calculating non-economic damages in accident cases.
To utilize the multiplier method, take these steps:
- Calculate the economic damages stemming from a DUI accident by adding up medical costs, property damage repair expenses, rehabilitation bills, etc.
- Assign a number between 1.5 and 5 to non-economic damages based on the severity of your injuries, the amount of work time you’ve missed, and more.
- Multiply your economic and non-economic damages to land on a DUI accident settlement amount.
Calculating a DUI accident settlement in this way isn’t foolproof. But it’s one of the only ways to start thinking about where you would like to see a settlement land in a DUI crash case.
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Maximizing a DUI Accident Settlement
If you plan to try settling a DUI accident case outside of court, make it your mission to collect as much compensation as you can. You can do a handful of things to create a much stronger case overall.
Options include:
- Seeking medical attention right away following a DUI accident and saving injury documentation
- Gathering evidence from a DUI accident scene by taking photographs and videos with your smartphone
- Asking anyone who may have witnessed your accident for their contact information and passing it along to your lawyer
You can also work on hiring the right DUI accident lawyer to represent you. This alone could help you earn a higher DUI accident settlement than you might otherwise.
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Hiring the Right DUI Accident Lawyer
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that about 1.5 million Americans are arrested for DUI annually. This has led to an uptick in the number of DUI accident lawyers in the country.
Search for a knowledgeable DUI attorney in your area who has previously represented people in your situation. They can help explore your legal options and provide additional insight on how to calculate a DUI accident settlement.
Allow Accident Hotline To Help You Locate an Experienced DUI Accident Attorney
If you were in a car accident with a drunk driver, you may have sustained a series of serious injuries. You may also have a long road to recovery ahead, which might take a major toll on your physical and mental health and financial well-being.
Begin working with an attorney and inch closer to collecting a DUI accident settlement. This could be the key to making a full recovery while maintaining some semblance of a normal life despite your DUI crash.
Accident Hotline can help connect you with a DUI accident lawyer in your city. Contact us at (844) 343-9609 to arrange a free, 24/7 consultation today.
For a free consultation, call (844) 343-9609
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