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Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
Any automobile accident can result in devastating, possibly even fatal injuries. While a driver’s negligence can be difficult to prove in many of these cases, is it is usually much easier to demonstrate which motorist was at fault when one person was driving under the influence.
A driver arrested in Ohio for drunk driving will be charged with Operating Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (OVI), and a motorist in Kentucky will be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Regardless of the differences in the terminology, that motorist can be held liable if they caused an accident that resulted in serious injury or death.
In some cases, even the bar or restaurant where the drunk driver was served alcoholic beverages can be sued for money damages under Ohio's Dram Shop Statute found at R.C. 4399.18.
Attorneys for the Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Cincinnati, OH
If you sustained catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, you need to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Steiden Law Offices helps the victims and families of those killed in car crashes in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. While the prosecutor is prosecuting the drunk driver, your personal injury attorney can help you pursue money damages for your personal injury claim against the drunk driver or even the bar that served the driver the last drink.
Our personal injury attorneys have offices in Cincinnati and Mainesville, Ohio, as well as Florence and Covington, Kentucky. You can receive a free consultation by calling our firm today at .
Kentucky and Ohio Drunk Driving Accident Overview
- What kinds of evidence is used in drunk driving crashes?
- What are the types of injuries people suffer in these accidents?
- How do dram shop laws work in Ohio and Kentucky?
- Can social hosts be liable in Kentucky or Ohio?
Evidence in Southern Ohio Drunk Driving Accidents
Our personal injury lawyers can investigate your case and collect all of the evidence needed to hold the negligent driver accountable. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Bank statements
- Bar tabs or restaurant receipts
- Breathalyzer test, field sobriety test, or Intoxilyzer 8000 results
- Credit card charges
- Criminal court records for OVI/DUI charges
- Police reports
- Witness statements
Northern Kentucky Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Many innocent people are killed on roads throughout the country because of drunk drivers, but even those who survive crashes caused by motorists operating under the influence can suffer life-changing injuries that prevent victims from ever returning to work and require years of rehabilitation. Some of the types of injuries that victims sustain in automobile accidents caused by drunk drivers include, but are not limited to:
- Burn injuries
- Fractured skulls
- Head or neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Ohio and Kentucky Dram Shop Laws
Under state law in both Kentucky and Ohio, vendors that serve or sell alcoholic beverages can be held liable for damages if they serve or sell alcohol to a minor or an already intoxicated person who causes an automobile accident. These establishments are referred to as “dram shops” in civil law, and can include:
- Bars
- Liquor Stores
- Restaurants
- Taverns
Ohio Social Host Liability and Kentucky Social Host Ordinances
If the drunk driver who causes a crash resulting in serious injury or death is a minor, the individual who served alcohol to the underage motorist on private property may be held accountable under social host liability laws.
Ohio Revised Code §4301.69 and §4301.99 discuss the information and penalties for providing alcohol to minors, and the state has social host liability laws for intoxicated minors. Kentucky does not have a state social host liability statute, but several counties throughout the state have enacted social host ordinances.
An experienced car accident attorney can review your case and determine if other parties may be liable in addition to the drunk driver.
Find a Drunk Driving Accidents Lawyer in Cincinnati
You may be to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you were injured or your loved one was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Steiden Law Offices represents clients in such Ohio communities as Cincinnati, Norwood, Forest Park, and Blue Ash, as well as areas of Kentucky that include Florence, Covington, and Erlanger.
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will pay nothing for our services unless we obtain a settlement or judgment on your behalf. You have nothing to lose by contacting our firm at right now to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
