Our team at Speaks Law Firm can help you obtain compensation if you are injured by another driver who was under the influence of alcohol.
NC Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can occur due to various factors. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is among the most common. Unfortunately, these types of accidents can be serious or even fatal. You could face an expensive and extensive recovery, not to mention experience enormous stress from the ordeal. When an accident results from someone else’s negligence, you need a team of experienced professionals on your side. We can evaluate your case at Speaks Law Firm and help you obtain financial compensation.
Elements of a DWI Case
In North Carolina, drunk driving falls under the definition of driving while intoxicated. To prove that the person who injured you was guilty of this, a drunk driving accident lawyer will show that the driver:
- Was the individual driving the vehicle
- Was driving on a street, highway, or public vehicular area
- Was under the influence of an impairing substance
- Had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above
Speaks Law Firm will carefully review the facts of your case to determine your next steps. Call us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.
The Speaks Law Firm proudly serves people throughout eastern North Carolina, including Wilmington, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Bolivia, Burgaw, Whiteville, Lumberton, Leland, Shallote, New Hanover County, Pender County, Brunswick County, Columbus County, and Robeson County.
It’s Easy to Get Help
We strive to make getting help as easy as possible! All you have to do is call us and we’ll start reviewing the details of your case. We’ve got your back.
Real Results That Matter
Our attorneys fight for real results that will make a difference in our clients’ lives. If you’re entitled to compensation, we’ll pursue every dollar you deserve for your injuries and losses.
No Fees Unless We Win
We believe everyone has a right to quality legal representation. That’s why our office works on a contingency-fee basis. You won’t owe us a dime unless we win for you!
(910) 341-7570
Why Choose Speaks Law Firm?
Accidents can happen at any time. You can be as careful as you can be, but you can never predict the action of others out on the road. When this happens, you need someone to speak on your behalf to fight for your rights. Speaks Law Firm is here for you.
- Our People. Our team is our main differentiator. We hired each one for their solid background and experience in the field. This all-star cast of talented, dedicated, and accomplished legal professionals cares about your case. With over 20 years of experience, we will do our best to fight for your rights.
- Our Process. We have built collaboration into our process. Our legal professionals were selected to work at the firm due to their experience. They work together to build your case and help you reach your goals.
- Our Commitment. You need someone committed to fighting for your rights after an accident that places you in a vulnerable position. At Speaks Law Firm, our team works hard to provide our clients in Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding areas with sound legal service. We speak for you.
- Free Consultation. Our lines of communication are open. You can set up a free consultation if you need to discuss your personal injury case and find the right legal option for your situation.
Common Types of Accidents and Injuries in a Drunk Driving Incident
Despite your best efforts to drive safely and obey traffic laws, accidents can still happen on the road. You can also suffer injuries, even if you wear a seat belt and your car has airbags and other safety features. The results could be severe if a drunk or otherwise impaired driver hits you. The types of collisions can also vary.
Drunk drivers commonly drive erratically by swerving or veering to one side of the road, which can be dangerous for you as you drive. Head-on collisions are common with drunk drivers, as impaired driving can cause them to enter the wrong lane or run a stop sign or traffic light. The extent of the injuries can vary depending on the nature of the accident. You could sustain lacerations and broken bones due to the impact. Head and spine injuries are also common in drunk driving accidents. Occasionally, a drunk driving accident inflicts burns on any part of your body.
Compensation You Can Receive
Along with the emotional distress accompanying a car accident, you may worry about how you will pay for the treatment and care necessary to help you recover. The costs can quickly add up. Speaks Law Firm can help you obtain fair compensation to manage these financial burdens.
An injury settlement can pay for hospital visits, doctor consultations, surgeries and other treatments, rehabilitation, and medication. In addition, we will fight for your rights to receive compensation for lost wages and future earnings you may lose due to your injuries.
Penalties for Drunk Driving
It is helpful to understand what consequences await those who violate North Carolina DWI laws. It can give you peace of mind that offenders are held accountable.
The most severe penalties will punish the guilty party with a minimum of 12 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. These penalties usually apply when the person has had another DWI conviction within the last seven years.
The minimum sentence for a conviction is 48 hours in jail with a $200 fine. Other factors in determining the penalty include the severity of the injury and the involvement of someone under 18.
The Right Legal Counsel Makes a Difference
If you have suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident, help is on your side. Suppose the accident is due to no fault of your own and the offender was driving while intoxicated. In that case, you are entitled to compensation to pay for your recovery and help you through this challenging situation.
The team at Speaks Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to represent you and your rights in these critical matters. Schedule a free consultation with us today so we can review your case.
The Recorded Statement with the Adjuster
Adjuster: “Hi. This is Cindy from Statewide Insurance Company. I understand that you were in an accident. Is that right?”
You: “Yes, it is.”
Adjuster: “Well I am sorry about that. I am going to process this claim for you. I just need to ask you a few questions to get started. Do you have a few minutes?”
You: “Yes.”
Adjuster: “Alright. Now, I am going to record our conversation for my file. Is that ok?”
You: “That is fine. I have nothing to hide.”
Adjuster: “Great. Can you tell me about the accident?”
You: “Sure. It wasn’t my fault. The other driver, he just . . . And, then I went to the hospital”.
Adjuster: “I understand.”
Adjuster: “Can you tell me, where were you coming from?”
Adjuster: “Where were you going?”
Adjuster: “What were you doing immediately before the accident?”
Adjuster: “Is there anything at all that you could have done to avoid the accident?”
Adjuster: “When was the very first moment in time that you saw the other car?”
Adjuster: “How far away was the car when you saw it?”
Adjuster: “How much time passed between the time you first saw the car and impact?”
Adjuster: “Now, please forgive me. I have to ask everyone this question. Had you had any alcohol to drink that day? Had you taken any drugs or medication?”
Adjuster: “Were you injured in any way?”
“Adjuster: “What was injured in the wreck?”
Adjuster: “Ok. Your back, neck and knee were hurt. Was anything else hurt?”
Adjuster: “Have you had problems with your neck before the accident?”
Adjuster: “Have you seen any medical professionals for these injuries?”
Notice Anything?
These are just some of the questions that an adjuster will ask. Do you notice any thing about the questions? Ask yourself two questions:
1. If the accident was completely and totally the other driver’s fault why do all of the questions relate to the injured person and not to the person who caused the accident?
2. The adjuster needs to get a recorded statement “for her file”. Oh . . . What does that mean?
Questions about the Auto Accident
Shouldn’t she already have a collision report in her file? Doesn’t the collision report say what happened? Didn’t the investigating officer perform a thorough investigation? Didn’t he obtain statements, take measurements, record weather information and document road conditions? Didn’t he prepare a detailed written report? Didn’t he indicate clearly in that written report that the collision was caused by the other driver? What else does she need “in her file”?
Questions about your Medical Treatment
Didn’t the doctor and other medical professionals perform examinations? Don’t they usually record their findings? Don’t they usually document their diagnosis and prescribed course of treatment? Aren’t the medical records readily available? Wouldn’t these records be a more accurate and thorough source of information about your medical condition than asking you to answer questions with no preparation in a casual conversation? Wouldn’t obtaining those records be a better way to get the information that she needs “in her file”?
Would you be surprised to know . . .
She already has the report. She is going to get the medical records.
So what’s with all the questions?
She is fishing. All of these questions are designed to do one thing. They are designed to gather information that can be used to pay you nothing or pay you less than you deserve. It is her job to resolve this claim in a way that is best for her employer.
The Business Model for Insurance Companies
Think about it for a moment. Insurance companies do two things. They collect premiums and pay claims. All companies seek to maximize profits. Insurance companies maximize profits by collecting as much money as possible in premiums and paying out as little as possible in claims. Her job is to help them pay out as little as possible for your claim.
Doesn’t it make sense to have someone on your side? Shouldn’t you have someone working for you? Wouldn’t it be nice to know someone is there to make sure you are treated fairly? Wouldn’t it be great to have someone who Speaks for you?
What if I told you that help was a phone call away? What if I told you that we would take care of everything? What if I told you that there would be no charge for our services unless we are successful? In decades of representing injured people, I have never seen one case where an injured person would have been better off it they had not called.
Call (910) 341-7570 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with someone about your case. Or you can call for a free copy of my book The North Carolina Auto Injury Book or download it free here.
Do I need a lawyer to handle my property damage claim after an auto accident?
Property Damage Claims after an Auto Accident in North Carolina
Property damage claims arise when your car is damaged in a wreck or collision that was not your fault. The responsible driver’s insurance company will assign a property damage claims adjuster. The adjuster is responsible for resolving the claim in the way that is best for his employer. He is employed by the insurance company.
Property damage claims are generally easier to resolve than bodily injury claims. The insurance company should pay the cost to repair or replace your car. You may need a rental car. The cost to repair your car can be established by a reputable repair shop. The cost to replace can be established through on-line research. There may be an additional claim for diminution in value where your car has had extensive damage.
So, why do I need a lawyer to handle my property damage claim if I was not injured?
Chances are, you don’t. Like anything, some of these claims get complicated, but many are straight-forward. Lots of people are capable of handling this process by themselves without a lawyer. Some people change their own oil. Some people handle their own propety damage claims.
When should I get lawyer to handle my property damage claim?
However, if there is any chance that you were injured in any way in the accident, then you should call us immediately. (We are located in North Carolina. If you are in North Carolina and you may be injured, call us at (910) 341-7570. If you are outside of North Carolina, please call an injury lawyer in your state.) If you are stiff and sore then you may be injured. It is important that you get a medical examination to determine whether you are injured and whether your need treatement. Here is why:
People almost always say something in conversations with the insurance adjuster for the property damage claim that diminishes the value of their bodily injury claim. They might make a comment about the accident that causes the adjuster to deny the claim altogether. Or more commonly, they make comments about their injuries or medical treatment that dramatically reduce the value of their claim.
Most of the time, they never even know what they said. They may never know that they should have received more money. They go on thinking that is the way it works and they don’t get the medical treatment and compensation to which they are legally entitled.
If you are in North Carolina, it is best to call us now. Ask questions. Get information. Then decide how you should proceed. The information is free. There is no obligation. The adjuster knows how it works. You should, too.
How much does it cost to get a lawyer to help me with my property damage claim?
If we represent you on an injury claim, we handle the property damage for free. We don’t charge a dime. We don’t charge a fee up front. We do not charge a fee on the back-end. We do not charge a fee at all.
Why does your law firm help people with property damage claims for free when you are representing them on their injury claims?
I think we get a little more money for property damage claims than you would. It is not because we are smarter than you are. It is simply because we are more familiar with the process. It is something we do every day.
However, that is not the only reason we do it. We handle property damage claims for our injured clients in order to prevent the common mistakes that people make when they handle these claims on their own. These mistakes can cost them hundreds on a property damage claim and thousands or tens of thousands on a personal injury claim. It is our job to make sure people are treated fairly for their auto injury claims. We take that responsibility very seriously.
If you have questions about this or anything else relating to your auto injury claim, please give us a call at (910) 341-7570 or toll free at (910) 341-7570
I was injured because another driver was texting. How much money will I get for my auto accident if I get the best lawyer possible?
I was injured because another driver was texting. How much money will I get for my auto accident if I get the best lawyer possible?
Immediately after an accident, no lawyer can tell you how much money you will receive. Generally, more serious injuries result in larger settlements. However, that is an oversimplification and other issues can affect the outcome of your claim.
Other issues may include contributory negligence, insurance coverage, liens, subrogation and expenses. Medical expenses, future medical expenses, permanent injury, scarring, loss of use, loss of income must be considered. We can help you address each of these issues in a way that is most beneficial to you.
The way that we do that is by looking at your case like it is its own independent corporation. All corporations need to do two things: Maximize revenue and minimize expenses.
Also, we also position your case for successful settlement from the first day. Successful cases are those that are properly diagnosed, treated, and documented from the beginning. If any of these is missing, the case will never resolve for full value. We monitor every step of your medical care.
Sometimes people try to “do it themselves”. I understand the idea. I want to save money just like any one else. The problem is that mistakes made early in injury cases can never be completely fixed. They will always reduce or eliminate the claim’s value.
In the years I have been doing this, I have never met one person who would have been better off if they had not called.
The best thing to do is to get information before you hire a lawyer, sign a form or settle you case. Call (910) 341-7570 now for a free copy of The North Carolina Auto Injury Book or for a free explanation of your legal rights and responsibilities.
Should I give a recorded statement to insurance adjuster after an injury in auto accident?
If you have been injured in an auto accident, you will soon be contacted by an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. The adjuster is under no legal or moral duty to protect your rights. The adjuster may be nice and professional. He may tell you that the insurance company has accepted liability and will pay the claim. But how much will they pay? The adjuster will tell you that they cannot give you legal advice and then sit in silence as you make mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars.
One of the first things he will do is attempt to obtain a recorded statement. Never give a recorded statement without consulting with an experienced injury attorney first. The recorded statement may seem harmless, but it is carefully designed to elicit information that may be harmful to your case. It is critical that you know your rights immediately, so that you can protect yourself from further financial harm.
You can get the information you need by calling us for a FREE consultation or by requesting my FREE book, The North Carolina Auto Injury Book, including 20 Secrets to Maximize Your Recovery. It is for sale at Amazon.com or yours free if you call (910) 341-7570 or (910) 341-7570.
What should I be looking for in a personal injury lawyer?
Look for Experience, Knowledge, Reputation, and Results
I started helping injured people in the fall of 1997. I had just graduated from law school and set up my office. I knew I wanted to work with injured people so I went around to other established injury lawyers’ offices. I gave them my card and asked them to send me the difficult cases that they did not want. They did.
For the next decade I took every difficult case that walked in the door. The only cases I would not take was where a person was lying about an accident or faking an injury. For much of that time, I did everything myself. I gathered evidence, investigated injuries, retrieved medical reports, found medical experts, collected documents, and cross-examined doctors.
I also tried cases in front of juries. I tried cases in big cities and small towns in the eastern, central and western parts of North Carolina. I won and I lost. I learned a lot from the wins. I learned more from the losses.
I really enjoyed that time. I gained knowledge and experience that comes from years of daily practive. Those lessons cannot be learned from books. I developed a reputation as an honest, hard-working lawyer who would not stop until I achieved justice for my clients.
I am very proud the work we did then and the work we do now. Although we have grown and we handle very serious injury cases, we have not changed. I am older, and hopefully a little wiser. I have never changed in my commitment. Our firm continues to use the knowledge, experience and reputation that I gained during those years to help every person we represent today. Our results and client satisfaction demonstrate that continued commitment.