Flagstaff Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Flagstaff Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Car accidents can have an immense impact on your life. If you have suffered personal or proprietary damages because of the reckless actions of someone else on the road, it is important for you to receive compensation for those losses. It is also important for the other person to be held responsible for their actions. A Flagstaff drunk driving accident lawyer can help ensure both of these things happen. For broader legal representation, a Flagstaff car accident lawyer can assist with cases involving all types of negligence.

While it may seem overwhelming to find and hire a lawyer after all that you have been through, it can be more helpful in the long run to do so. A lawyer can support you by helping with legal paperwork, filing claims, guiding you through the court process if necessary, and so much more. If you have been the victim of a car accident because of a drunk driver, the next step is to find an experienced lawyer.

The Kaiser Law Group represents drunk driving accident victims, working to prove negligence and hold the responsible party accountable.

First Steps After the Accident

A car accident can leave you in a vulnerable position with many things to take care of. Beyond the damages your car may have sustained, you may also be recovering from serious bodily injuries and planning for a long road of physical therapy or surgeries ahead. In the midst of so many demands, it can be difficult to juggle the legal responsibilities following an accident.

Once you have received medical attention, it is important to consult a lawyer. In order to receive any compensation for your damages, you will need to file one or more claims. This process must be started as soon as possible to achieve a fair outcome.

Common Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Car accidents can have a significant impact on a person’s body, resulting in a variety of injuries. Some of the more common injuries that victims may experience include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries. One of the more serious injuries that can occur in a car accident is a traumatic brain injury. The brain is one of the most important parts of the human body, responsible for numerous functions, and an injury to it could have devastating results.
• Broken bones. The impact of a moving vehicle can be very strong, which is why broken bones are common injuries in accidents.
• Tissue injuries. The stress that a person’s body sustains during and after a collision can have long-lasting effects on their muscles.

This is not an exhaustive list of all injuries that may be suffered in a car accident. Any physical injury that you experience as the result of a collision should receive medical attention and be documented for insurance and legal purposes. An experienced lawyer can help with keeping track of all of your medical information.

Duty of Care

One important aspect in seeking compensation from a drunk driver is proving their negligence caused the accident. Evidence that a driver was intoxicated can support a negligence claim, since violating Arizona’s DUI laws while causing a crash may establish “negligence per se” — meaning the traffic violation itself can count as proof of negligence — though you still must prove the violation caused your injuries.

In Arizona, drivers on the road owe other drivers a duty of care and they must take responsibility for their actions when they breach their duty of care and cause harm to others. When negligent actions lead to an accident, they can be held liable and responsible for paying for damages caused.

To pursue the compensation Arizona law allows, it helps to have an experienced attorney on your side. They can help you prove the driver breached the duty of care they owed you.

Driver and Dram-Shop Liability After a Flagstaff DUI Crash

A DUI arrest and a civil injury claim are two separate matters. The Flagstaff City Prosecutor’s Office typically handles a first-time DUI charge in Flagstaff Municipal Court. If the charge is a felony — for example, a repeat offense or one involving injury — the Coconino County Attorney’s Office prosecutes it instead, usually in Coconino County Superior Court. But a criminal case does not compensate you.

To recover money for your injuries, you or a Flagstaff drunk driving accident lawyer will generally need to bring a civil claim against the negligent driver — often starting with an insurance claim, and a lawsuit if that doesn’t resolve things.

Sometimes a bar, restaurant, or other Arizona liquor licensee shares fault. Under A.R.S. § 4-311, a licensee that serves alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron or to a minor, can be held civilly liable for the crash that follows. The Arizona Supreme Court confirmed in Torres v. JAI Dining Services (2023) that this statute controls dram-shop claims. Separately, under A.R.S. § 4-301, a private host who isn’t a licensed business is generally not liable for serving alcohol to an adult guest.

Evidence, Damages, and Deadlines in Flagstaff

Building a strong DUI injury claim means gathering proof quickly. The police report, the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) and toxicology results, witness statements, nearby surveillance or dash-cam video, and your medical records all connect the crash to the at-fault driver’s conduct. The Kaiser Law Group uses this evidence to support your Arizona insurance claim and, if necessary, a Coconino County Superior Court lawsuit.

Arizona law allows compensatory damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In especially reckless cases, punitive damages may be available if clear and convincing evidence shows the driver acted with an “evil mind.” Arizona’s pure comparative fault rule still allows recovery even if you share some blame

You generally have two years from the crash date to file suit under A.R.S. § 12-542. If a bar or other licensee also shares fault, that claim runs on a shorter, separate clock.. Families facing a wrongful death after an impaired-driving crash face that same two year deadline, starting on the date of death (if different from the accident).

FAQs

Q: Can You Sue if a Drunk Driver Hits You?

A: If a drunk driver hits you while driving in Arizona, you can file a personal injury claim and a property damage claim for the damages you sustained. The damages you may be able to receive compensation for include medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. When filing your claim, it is important to ensure you have calculated all actual and potential costs. An experienced lawyer can help you do this.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement Amount for a Drunk Driving Accident in Arizona?

A: It can be difficult to determine an average settlement amount for a drunk driving accident because the degree of damage varies so widely from case to case. If you were hit by a drunk driver, you can hope to expect damages to your vehicle as well as any personal damages to be covered. The exact amount will depend on the type of vehicle you have, the damages incurred, and the specific injuries you suffered as a result of the accident.

Q: How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge in Arizona?

A: Car accident lawyers in Arizona have varying rates and methods of charging their clients. While some lawyers charge a flat fee for their services, others charge contingency fees. A contingency fee is a specific arrangement that requires payment based on the successful outcome of your case. Ultimately, the amount you pay a lawyer to help you with a personal injury or property damage case will depend on the lawyer’s fees.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Personal Injury Claim and a Property Damage Claim?

A:  The main difference between a personal injury claim and a property damage claim is that a personal injury claim refers to bodily injuries, while property damage claims refer to damage done to property. In the event of a car accident, both types of claims may be applicable. An experienced lawyer can help you determine which type of claim you need to file or if you need to file one of each in order to be justly compensated.

Q: How Much Money Does a Drunk Driving Wreck Lawsuit Pay?

A: There’s no set dollar figure. What a Flagstaff drunk driving lawsuit pays depends on your medical expenses, lost income, the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, available insurance limits, and each side’s share of fault under Arizona’s comparative fault rule. The Kaiser Law Group evaluates these factors case by case.

Q: Can I Sue Someone Who Crashed My Car While Drunk?

A: Yes. If an impaired driver crashed into your vehicle, Arizona law lets you file a civil claim against that driver for your injuries and vehicle damage, separate from any DUI criminal case. Depending on the facts, a bar or liquor licensee that served the driver while obviously intoxicated may also be a proper defendant under A.R.S. § 4-311.

Q: Will Insurance Pay for a DUI Wreck?

A: Often, yes. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance typically must respond to a DUI crash, and a criminal DUI conviction does not automatically decide the civil insurance claim. Insurers still look for policy defenses, so proof of intoxication and fault matters. If the driver was uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage after a DUI crash may apply instead.

Q: What Are the Liability Laws for Dram Shops in Arizona?

A: Arizona’s dram-shop law, A.R.S. § 4-311, lets an injured person sue a bar, restaurant, or other licensee that sold alcohol to a patron who was obviously intoxicated, or to a minor, when that sale leads to a crash. The Arizona Supreme Court has confirmed this statute is the exclusive path for such claims, so proving obvious intoxication at the time of sale is essential.

The Kaiser Law Group

When it comes to cases involving drunk drivers and the damages they caused, it is vital to have a lawyer by your side who has handled similar cases. We are ready to take your case and pursue fair compensation for your injuries. We can fight for your rights and keep you up to date on any new developments. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help. Our experienced team is ready to work with you and support you during this difficult time.