A Strong Ally For Drunk Driving Accident Victims in Louisville
Every time a drunk driver gets behind the wheel, they put the lives of every driver, passenger and pedestrian on the road at risk. If you or someone close to you has suffered a personal injury due to the actions of a drunk driver in Louisville or anywhere in Kentucky, the attorneys at Satterley & Kelley PLLC are here to stand up for your rights.
We have decades of experience handling complex motor vehicle accident claims and a proven record of success obtaining favorable results for our clients.
Seeking Maximum Damages
Kentucky legislators have taken steps to strengthen drunk driving laws in recent years, but intoxicated drivers still abound on streets and highways in Louisville and throughout the state.
In handling drunk driving accident cases, we work to maximize our clients’ compensation, helping them obtain the financial resources they will need to pay for medical bills, wage loss and other damages.
Under Kentucky law, a plaintiff may be awarded punitive damages (in addition to compensatory damages) if there is clear evidence the at-fault driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident. In some cases, it may even be possible to pursue damages from the bar owner who served the at-fault driver. These additional damages can make a profound difference in the lives of the victims. This is why it is so important to enlist the services of a law firm with the experience to handle difficult cases.
Increased Dangers On Kentucky Roads
The risks involved with sharing the road with drunk drivers is growing. Kentucky has seen an increase in alcohol-related driving fatalities, and recent reports have shown some of the highest totals in the last ten years. When you share the road with those drinking and driving, they may be actively putting you in harm’s way.
Alcohol can greatly impair a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle and have a growing effect on a person’s proficiency at minding their actions, the road and other drivers. You may face increased dangers on the road when another driver is missing these important skills:
- Trouble identifying risks
- Decreased ability to make decisions
- Loss of motor function
- Slower reactions times
- Blurred vision
- Increased speeds
These basic requirements for driving can be glaringly obvious when a drunk driving gets behind the wheel. A driver that is traveling too fast and does not have the capacity to act in time can cause serious harm. The force of a drunk driving accident could be compounded by another’s inability to mitigate the damages in the moment and leave you and your family suffering. Even simple mistakes can have consequences that are magnified with having too much to drink:
- Running stop signs at high speeds
- Failing to yield to oncoming traffic
- Traveling well above the speed limit in high traffic areas
- Losing consciousness while driving
Even when a driver is clearly at fault and there is no question that he or she was intoxicated, insurance companies will try to settle the case for as little as they can get by with. We are well versed in these tactics and use our advanced legal knowledge to fight for full and fair compensation.
Who Is More Likely to Drive Drunk?
Woman are catching up to men in an unfortunate area — drunk driving. While drunk driving has been declining overall in recent decades, the number of women being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) is rising.
The majority of drunk driving arrests still involve men (about 75 percent). However, the 25 percent of DUIs involving female drivers represents a 15 percent increase in less than 40 years.
While many people associate drunk driving with men, according to the head of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, “women are unfortunately picking up some of the same terrible, reckless behaviors that men have exhibited.”
What are some of the leading reasons for this shift? There are many. Following are several key factors.
Increased stress. Women are increasingly having to deal with careers, raising children and being wives. They may be caring for aging parents and family members as well. Alcohol is a common stress reliever, so it’s not surprising that as their lives become more hectic, more women turn to liquor. When they do, they may discover that it also helps them deal with bad break-ups, unreasonable bosses and any number of other difficulties.
A changing role in the workplace. The three-martini lunches of the Mad Men era aren’t as common as they once were. However, when they occur, women are more likely to be at the table. They’re also more likely to be at the bar with their male or female colleagues after work or on business trips.
Biological factors. Women are generally smaller and lighter than men. They also tend to have lower-fat diets. All of this can cause alcohol to have a faster and greater effect on their bodies. A few glasses of wine at dinner may seem to have little or no impact on your husband or boyfriend, but can seriously impair your ability to drive if you’re a woman. (Of course, neither of you should get behind the wheel.)
If you’ve been involved in a crash that was caused by a drunk driver, it’s important to know that the driver can face civil legal consequences as well as criminal ones. An experienced attorney can help you seek compensation for medical bills and other expenses and damages.
Contact a Louisville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Now
We are tenacious in helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve. We are just as committed to holding drunk drivers accountable for their careless actions. To learn how we can help you with your drunk driving injury case, contact our law offices online or by telephone at 502-589-5600 or toll-free at 855-385-9532.