Richmond Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Aggressive Lawyers Representing Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Richmond, Virginia

Drunk drivers have been and continue to be a major threat to other drivers on the road. If you were hit by an impaired driver, you need to take early action to protect your claim for compensation. A Richmond, VA drunk driving accident lawyer can help you estimate your damages and handle negotiations with the insurance company.

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we know that drunk driving accidents can be gravely serious. With that in mind, we take an aggressive stance from the start, documenting evidence of the other driver's fault and pushing back when insurance adjusters try to undervalue or reject a claim. We have decades of experience, including 25 years of representing insurance companies and large corporations, giving us a wealth of knowledge to draw upon when fighting for our clients.

Why the Official Police Report Is So Important for a Drunk Driving Accident Claim

When a suspected drunk driver causes a crash, the responding officer's report becomes one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in the case. Officers are trained to look for signs of impairment, including the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady movement, and inconsistent statements. If the officer conducts field sobriety tests or a breath test at the scene, those results are typically included in the report as well.

The report also documents whether the driver was arrested or cited for driving under the influence, which can carry significant weight later in a civil claim. Beyond the impairment findings, the report records the positions of the vehicles, visible damage, weather and road conditions, and statements from witnesses who were present.

This documentation, created close to the time of the crash, can be difficult for an insurance company to dispute later on, which makes it an important foundation for building a strong claim. Requesting a copy of the report soon after the crash can also help identify any additional witnesses or evidence that could be relevant later.

Pushing Back Against Claims of Fault in Drunk Driving Accident Claims

Even when a driver has been arrested for driving under the influence, their insurance company may still try to shift some blame onto the injured person. An adjuster might argue that you were speeding, changed lanes without signaling, or otherwise contributed to the crash in an effort to reduce or deny your compensation under Virginia's contributory negligence rule, which can bar payment even if you were only one percent responsible.

These kinds of arguments often rely on an incomplete picture of what happened. Reviewing the full police report, gathering witness statements, and examining physical evidence from the scene can help counter these claims. A toxicology report or breath test result showing the other driver's level of impairment can also make it harder for an insurer to convincingly argue that your own conduct caused the crash.

What Kinds of Damages Can You Be Paid for in a Richmond, VA Impaired Driving Accident Claim?

Drunk driving accidents often involve high speeds, delayed reactions, or a complete failure to brake, which can lead to catastrophic injuries that a sober driver might have avoided or lessened. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe fractures, and internal injuries are unfortunately common in these crashes, and some victims are left with permanent disabilities that alter the course of their lives.

Compensation in these claims should include medical expenses for both current and future care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of rehabilitation or long-term assistance if an injury results in a lasting disability. Pain, suffering, and the emotional toll of the accident also factor into the value of a claim. Family members of those killed in a drunk driving crash may also be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.

In some cases, the insurer for the drunk driver may attempt to settle quickly and quietly before the full extent of a victim's injuries becomes clear, which is another reason to review the evidence carefully before accepting any offer.

Contact a Richmond, VA Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving crashes are entirely preventable, and impaired drivers should be held responsible for the harm they cause. At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we build strong cases using police reports, toxicology results, and other available evidence to pursue full payment. Call our firm at 804-500-9796 or contact our Richmond, VA drunk driving accident attorneys to schedule a free case review.