DUI Attorney in Nashville

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Nashville definitely has busy roads. Add a driver under the influence to the already busy traffic, and devastating consequences can occur. Getting hurt in a DUI accident in Nashville can put your life and career on hold with long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. However, if another person made the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated and hurt you, you deserve compensation.  

Don’t worry about having to figure this out on your own. Our determined Nashville DUI lawyers know what you are going through and can help you get justice. Morgan & Morgan is committed to helping victims of DUI accidents recover what they need to rebuild their lives. Discover your options and next best steps today, and contact us for a free, no-obligation case review.

What Qualifies as a DUI Accident in Nashville?

Drunk driving is one of the most common causes of accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nationwide, 11,654 individuals were killed in DUI accidents in 2020 alone.

Understanding the DUI laws in Nashville is essential if you get hurt in a car crash. According to Tennessee Code § 55-10-401, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher is illegal. Commercial drivers are held to an even stricter standard, with a legal limit of only .04% BAC. Moreover, drivers under 21 must not consume any alcohol when driving, as the state has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers.

In addition, drivers in Tennessee are also prohibited from operating a vehicle under the influence of any intoxicant or drug affecting their ability to drive a vehicle safely.  

The Consequences of Drunk Driving

If a driver is caught driving under the influence, they may face criminal charges, such as fines, license suspension, and, depending on the severity of their intoxication, even jail time.

However, criminal charges are not the only consequences of drunk driving. Drivers may also be liable for other road users’ damages if they cause a car crash while intoxicated. If a drunk driver caused your injuries and damages, Morgan & Morgan’s Nashville DUI lawyers can help you get justice.

The Effects of Alcohol on Drivers

Individuals consuming alcohol when driving put their own lives and the lives of others at risk due to their irresponsible behavior. But what exactly does alcohol do to drivers? Alcohol affects the central nervous system, which controls body functions such as reaction time, judgment, and coordination.

However, everybody is affected differently by alcohol. The effects on drivers can vary depending on the type and amount of alcohol consumed and factors such as age, weight, and gender. In general, alcohol can cause:

• Impaired judgment
• Reduced coordination
• Slowed reaction time
• Poor vision
• Drowsiness
• Increased aggression and risk-taking

The detrimental effects of alcohol can vastly increase the likelihood of a car accident, especially when combined with other risky driving behaviors, such as speeding or distracted driving.

Your Next Best Steps in a Nashville DUI Accident

Protecting your legal rights is critical in a DUI accident in Nashville. Report the crash immediately, even if the other driver protests. Here are your next best steps:

Put Safety First

Emotions can run high at every car accident scene. However, intoxicated drivers can be particularly unpredictable and aggressive. Put your safety first and avoid escalating the situation. If the other driver is trying to argue with you and acts belligerently, don’t engage and step away from them.

If you can, return to your car and wait for the police to arrive. Try to document any erratic behavior by covertly taking pictures or videos with your phone, taking care not to aggravate the intoxicated individual further.

Call 911

When you are in an accident with a drunk driver, calling law enforcement can be critical and help you prove that the other driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash. The police will document the accident and most likely conduct a field sobriety test on the driver. If they find the driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police may arrest and charge them with a DUI.

See a Doctor

If you opted out of receiving medical help at the accident scene, visit your doctor to protect your health and legal rights. You could suffer from underlying injuries, even if you only feel minor symptoms, such as neck stiffness or a headache. Medical professionals can safeguard your health by diagnosing, treating, or ruling out serious injuries. Ensure the doctor notes all your symptoms and injuries, as you may need evidence for a compensation claim.

Collect Contact and Insurance Details

Gather the contact details and insurance information from the intoxicated driver and all other involved parties. If there are witnesses, ask them for their contact details, as witness statements can be vital for proving fault in your crash.

Gather Information and Evidence

If possible, take pictures of all angles of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved and your injuries. This information can help accident reconstruction professionals determine how the accident happened and whether the drunk driver is responsible.

In the days after the accident, keep track of medical bills, doctor’s notes, and other documentation related to your injuries. Your attorney can use this information to calculate your damages and seek maximum compensation.

Contact Your Insurer

Tell your insurance company as soon as possible that you were involved in an accident with a drunk driver. Your insurer can advise you on your next best steps and help you initiate a claim for damages.

Consult a Nashville DUI Lawyer

Getting what you deserve can be challenging when a DUI driver causes an accident. Speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to clarify your legal options and the best course of action. Morgan & Morgan is here to help you navigate the legal process and identify all opportunities for recovering the compensation you need and deserve when a drunk driver causes your crash.

Damages Recoverable in DUI Accidents

Accidents with drunk drivers can destroy your health, career, life quality, and financial stability. If you suffer permanent injuries, you could face high healthcare costs for the rest of your life. However, you should not have to pay when a reckless drunk driver causes your accident. Our Nashville DUI lawyers could help you recover damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Medical devices
• Lost wages
• Future expected loss of income
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of life enjoyment