After a drunk driving accident, it is natural to wonder how much your case might be worth if you pursue a personal injury case. While every claim is different, settlements often range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the severity of your injuries, financial losses, available insurance coverage, and other case-specific factors.
Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for much less than they are worth. It can be difficult to know what questions to ask or whether an offer is fair. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Our drunk driving accident attorneys can help you hold a drunk driver accountable and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Key Takeaways
- Drunk driving accident settlements often range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, though catastrophic injury cases may be worth significantly more depending on the facts of your case.
- Compensation depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, how much income you’ve lost, available insurance coverage, and liability. In drunk-driving cases, punitive damages may also be available due to the driver’s reckless conduct.
- Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Experienced legal representation is critical to protecting your rights and pursuing the maximum compensation available to you.
Factors That Influence Settlement Values
Every car accident case is different, and several factors can influence the value of a settlement. The location of your crash, the parties involved, and the severity of your injuries can all impact how much your claim might be worth.
Injury Severity and Long-Term Impact
The severity and permanence of your injuries will have a significant impact on the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. A victim who experiences catastrophic injuries, permanent disabilities, and a need for ongoing medical care will require much greater compensation to cover their ongoing medical expenses and damages.
Multiple Victims
When an entire family or multiple passengers are injured in the same crash, it can make evaluating your potential compensation more complicated. Additionally, it’s easy to question if the insurance company is offering less than the claim is worth. Generally, each injured person has an individual claim based on the extent of their injuries and other damages.
Strength of Evidence
Clear proof of intoxication, such as a DUI arrest or conviction, toxicology results, dashcam footage, or witness statements, can strengthen the liability of your claim. This will increase the leverage you have during settlement negotiations. Similarly, medical records, ongoing treatment plans, and evidence of future medical needs help to establish the full value of your claim and prevent insurers from undervaluing long-term damages.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant exhibited especially egregious behavior, the court has the authority to award punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse victims for their losses. Alternatively, punitive damages are designed to punish particularly reckless or intentional misconduct and deter similar behavior in the future.
Insurance Coverage Limits
Even when a drunk driver is clearly at fault, the amount you can recover may be limited by the available insurance coverage. If your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you may be able to seek additional compensation through your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Your attorney might be able to identify other potential sources of recovery when insurance alone is insufficient to cover catastrophic injuries or other significant losses.
State Laws
State laws can greatly affect your settlement. Some states follow comparative negligence rules that reduce compensation based on your share of fault. Other states apply contributory negligence principles, which may prevent you from recovering damages if you are found even partially at fault. Some states also cap certain types of damages, which can limit the amount you are able to pursue.
Drunk Driving Accident Settlement Ranges by Injury Severity
Permanent injuries typically lead to substantially higher compensation because they require ongoing medical intervention and have a greater impact on a person’s life.
| Injury Severity | Typical Settlement Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | $10,000–$50,000+ | Cuts and bruises, sprains and strains, whiplash, and minor soft tissue injuries |
| Moderate | $50,000–$250,000+ | Broken bones, concussions, herniated discs, and torn ligaments |
| Catastrophic | $250,000 to $1 million+ | Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, amputations, severe burns, permanent disabilities, and death |
*These are general estimates. Actual settlement amounts vary based on factors such as damages, available evidence, and insurance policy limits.
Recovering after a car crash can be challenging, especially when dealing with injuries and insurance claims. Our experienced car accident attorneys are here to take the burden off your shoulders and fight for your rights, so you can focus on healing.
Real-World Examples of Drunk Driving Accident Settlements
No two drunk driving accident claims are alike. The severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, and the evidence involved can all impact the outcome of your claim. Some examples of settlements our car accident lawyers have secured include:
*Prior outcomes and examples of case results do not guarantee future results.
Immediate Steps To Take After a Drunk Driving Accident
It can be difficult to know what to do after a drunk driving accident, especially if the other driver was clearly liable or fault is still being determined. Taking the right steps afterward can protect your health, preserve evidence, and support your claim. These steps include:
- Call law enforcement: Check for injuries, then call 911. If anyone is hurt, avoid unnecessary movement until emergency responders arrive.
- Seek immediate medical attention: See a medical provider, even if your injuries seem minor. This protects your health and creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
- Document the scene: Exchange contact, insurance, and vehicle information with everyone involved. Take photos of the scene and collect witness information.
- Preserve evidence: Keep all accident-related evidence, including photos, medical records, repair estimates, and any communication with insurance companies.
- Avoid recorded statements: Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney, as they may use your words to undermine or deny your claim.
How Having Legal Representation Impacts Your Case
Legal representation can significantly influence the outcome of a drunk driving case. Individuals without representation are at risk of accepting a settlement that is lower than the value of their claim. An experienced personal injury attorney who understands how these cases work can negotiate from a position of strength and pursue a fair recovery. They can take on the tasks of identifying all available insurance coverage, calculating future damages, negotiating with insurers, and pursuing litigation if necessary.
What Happens if the Drunk Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured?
Even if the drunk driver didn’t have insurance or didn’t have enough insurance, victims can still recover compensation through their own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. These policies are activated if an at-fault driver has no insurance or their insurance is insufficient to fully cover your damages.
UM or UIM coverage is especially important in serious DUI accident cases where damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. Additional recovery may also be possible through other sources. For example, dram shop liability claims can be brought against establishments that overserved the driver. In some cases, you may be able to pursue a claim for the at-fault driver’s personal assets.
Calculating Damages in a Drunk Driving Settlement
One of the first things we do when we meet with you to discuss your claims is to evaluate your case. We want to provide a fair and honest assessment of the value of your potential claims. To evaluate your claims, we consider the following:
- Possible compensatory damages: Compensatory damages are those intended to compensate the victim for his or her economic and non-economic losses. Such losses include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. They can also include mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, or pain and suffering.
- Possible punitive damages: Punitive damages compensate the victim but also punish the defendant. In Colorado, many drunk driving cases include punitive damages.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine exactly how much a drunk driving case might be worth. However, a reputable and experienced lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case worth pursuing.
Let Our Drunk Driving Lawyers Go to Battle for You
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, take the first step to physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Contact Olson Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. You can also call us at (303) 381-2234. We serve accident victims and their families in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and surrounding areas.
