Experienced Virginia Lawyers Assist Victims of Drunk Driving Crashes

Trustworthy representation for those hurt in accidents caused by drunk drivers

Impaired driving is a leading factor in severe traffic accidents causing injury and death. At Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C., our law firm brings cases in civil court on behalf of victims of accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. We are based in Charlottesville and other three other offices in the Commonwealth. If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed by a drunk driver, you can trust our attorneys to provide knowledgeable and determined representation as you seek appropriate compensation.

Proving drunk driving in an accident case

Often the most potent evidence in a drunk driving case is the driver’s blood-alcohol level that is registered in a test taken shortly after arrest. Under Virginia law, a driver is presumed to be guilty of driving under the influence if one of the following conditions is true:

• The blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) result from a breathalyzer or blood test is 0.08 percent or higher
• The driver is underage and BAC is at least 0.02 percent
• The driver of a commercial vehicle has a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher
• The driver refuses a blood or breath test

Some drivers could be visibly impaired with a lower BAC, or they could be affected by prescription or illegal drugs. In such cases, an officer’s testimony that the driver displayed symptoms of impairment can be sufficient to convict.

Virginia currently has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the country. For example, if a drunk driver  causes permanent and significant impairment to another person, he or she is guilty of a Class 4 felony, with a sentence of two to 10 years in prison.

A conviction of DUI is often compelling evidence of negligence in an injury claim, but even if the driver is found not guilty or is not charged, financial recovery is still possible. That’s because criminal court requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for conviction, but the civil court where your lawsuit is heard only requires that it is more likely than not that the driver caused the crash by driving in a negligent manner. Our accident attorneys work diligently to assemble all the necessary evidence to prove impairment and liability for your injuries.

Albemarle County litigators work to maximize damages in drunk driving accident cases

If a drunk driver caused your accident, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation that includes reimbursement for various costs related to the harm you endured, such as:

• Medical expenses, including rehabilitation
• Lost wages and/or future wages
• Pain
• Suffering

As your legal representatives, we fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation in a verdict or settlement. (Virginia law prevents plaintiffs from winning in court if they share any of the blame for the accident. Insurance defense lawyers try to exploit this contributory negligence law whenever possible to leverage low settlements. This is a major reason why, even if you think your case is cut and dried, you need professional assistance from an experienced car accident law firm.)

Contact our Charlottesville drunk driver accident lawyers today for a free consultation

Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C. in Charlottesville represents victims of drunk driver accidents throughout the Commonwealth. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 434-973-7474 or contact us online. We have other offices located in Palmyra, Harrisonburg and Staunton.