Who Can I Pursue if I’m Hit by a Drunk Driver in Indianapolis?

Some of the most dangerous accidents involve a drunk driver. They go to a bar or house party, drink, and then get behind the wheel. They have no regard for the other drivers on the road. They’re irresponsible and need to be held accountable for any consequences that result from their bad decision making. Your Indianapolis car accident lawyer will make sure they are.

Some of the injuries involved in a drunk driving accident include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Permanent disability

When someone drinks and then get behind the wheel, they are ultimately responsible for any injuries they cause. However, they aren’t the only ones who should be held accountable. There are a lot of cases in which there are other people who need to be named in your lawsuit.

Your car accident attorney Indianapolis will make sure all of these parties are named as defendants. They will have to do to this when you file your suit because you won’t be able to add them later on.

What Other Parties May Be Held Liable for Your Drunk Driving Accident?

Automobile accidents happen every day. Most of them are due to negligence. For example, if someone is texting and driving, they may end up in a car crash. Or, they could be speeding and lose control of their car. In these cases, the other driver don’t intentionally set out to hurt other people.

In drunk driving accidents, things are a little different. Everybody knows the repercussions of drinking and driving. Indiana car accident lawyers see these cases all the time. They are frustrating because they’re 100% preventable.

When someone decides to drink, they usually do it at a bar, club, casino or house party. Very few people sit home alone and drink and then decide to get behind the wheel. And, although the bartenders and club owners didn’t force him to drink to excess, they had a hand in his drinking and driving.

Some of the people who may be held responsible for your drunk driving accident include:

  • The bar, club or restaurant owner
  • Valet company who allowed the other driver to get behind the wheel
  • The driver
  • His insurance company
  • The people who hosted the party where he was drinking
  • The package goods store where he purchased the alcohol

Keep in mind, not all of these people will be held responsible. In fact, it may be very difficult if not impossible for your car accident lawyer to prove that any of these people were responsible. He’ll have to show that these other parties were negligent in over-serving the drunk driver.

How Will Your Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer Prove Causation?

When accidents occur due to drinking and driving, it’s important that you prove the defendant was responsible for the accident. A lot of people think this is automatic or easy in a drunk driving accident. This isn’t always the case.

Yes, it may be obvious to most people that the drunk driver caused the accident. However, you still have to prove it. You also have to prove that the other parties were negligent in order to recover.

Your lawyer will use the following tactics to prove that these other parties are responsible for your medical bills and other damages:

  • Videos of the bouncers or bartenders telling the driver he’s had too much
  • Receipts showing how many drinks a patron was served
  • Witness statements about how the driver was behaving at the bar or club
  • Statements from the driver himself
  • Testimony by the bartender or serve about the defendant’s condition when he left their bar or club
  • Posts on social media showing that the driver was drunk or partying prior to the accident
  • The police report
  • Proof of a DUI conviction in court

Obviously, your lawyer isn’t going to need or want to use all of this evidence. Every case is different.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Today

If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident, you need to contact a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis today. He can make sure the responsible parties are held accountable for your injuries.

Call and schedule your free initial consultation today. You can sit down with an experienced lawyer and ask any questions you may have. Your lawyer can also review your case and see what it may be worth.

View these other frequently asked questions pages:

Why You Should Get a Medical Exam after a Car Accident

What to Do When Your Car Insurance Claim Is Denied

Indianapolis, Indiana: What Facts Should I Know About Auto Accidents?

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