Drunk Driving Accident FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Cases

Here are the answers to some of the questions most frequently asked about personal injury cases against drunk drivers. Our FAQ about personal injury cases also generally apply to drunk driving cases.

What resources are available to me if I or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver?

If you have been injured—or if a loved one has been injured or killed—by a drunk driver, we suggest that you contact Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). MADD has well-trained victim advocates that can provide moral support and direct you to professional mental health resources if appropriate. They will also help you through the criminal process after the drunk driver has been charged. For more information about MADD and what it can offer, go to MADD’s Website. Or call us, and we can connect you with an Ohio MADD victim advocate.

How will you help me following an accident caused by a drunk driver?

In addition to making a legal claim for damages, we will help you understand the criminal prosecution of the drunk driver. If the law enforcement officers did their job properly, criminal charges will be brought by the prosecutor. There will be hearings and perhaps a trial. You may be called as a witness. If there is a plea by the defendant, you will be given the opportunity to make a statement to the judge before sentencing. We will help you understand this process. Furthermore, will stay in touch with the prosecutor and attend hearings with you.

Can I make a claim against the bar or restaurant that provided alcohol to the drunk driver?

The answer is a qualified yes. We have handled many such cases, but the law in Ohio keeps changing to make it harder and harder to prove such a claim. In Ohio, proving that the bartender should have known that a patron was intoxicated in not enough! You must prove that the server had “actual knowledge” of the patron’s intoxication and continued to sever alcohol to the patron. This is almost an impossible burden.