The Boston drunk driving victims’ attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman know too well about the damage that a drunk driver can wreak on you and your family.

If you or a family member has been a victim of a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts, you need to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Boston to protect your rights.

It doesn’t matter if you were rear-ended by a drunk driver, broadsided by a drunk driver, hit head-on by a drunk driver or were a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in some type of drunk driving accident, an aggressive, skilled personal injury attorney will get you the compensation you need and deserve.

Certainly, typical auto accidents are bad enough. But drunk driving accidents can be far more devastating because alcohol-impaired drivers are prone to driving high above speed limits, ignoring traffic signals and other roadway signage and even driving on the wrong side of the road. These accidents often result in wrongful death or serious injuries that can affect a person for a lifetime. In addition to the damage to your car, there’s the exorbitant medical bills, lost wages, therapy and rehabilitation. The list goes on.

And in addition to pain and suffering, there’s the anger and frustration that comes with being a victim of someone else’s negligence.

Drunk driving rates are on the decline, but the problem—and danger—remains real.

Drunk driving is still the number one cause of death on roadways, Mothers Against Drunk Driving says.

Add to that this fact: There are more than 300,000 incidents of drinking and driving every day, according to data from MADD. That means thousands of innocent people are hurt each and every day because of someone else’s poor judgment and bad decisions.

Consider this staggering fact: An average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 50 minutes in 2018, according to a December 2019 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2018, there were more than 10,000 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in which at least one driver was considered to be alcohol-impaired. This added up to nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities for the entire year.

The data also showed that:

Alcohol-impaired drivers 21 to 24 years of age had the highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes (27%) when compared to other age groups.

The percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes was highest for motorcycle riders (25%) as compared to drivers of cars or trucks.

The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was more than three times higher at night than during the day.

(Source: December 2019 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

A driver is considered to be “alcohol-impaired” when his or her blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is .08 grams per deciliter (g/DL) or higher.

Any crash involving a driver with a BAC of .08 g/dL is considered to be an alcohol-impaired accident. The terms “drunk driver” or “drunk driving” can be substituted for “alcohol-impaired driver” or “alcohol-impaired driving.”

In Massachusetts, the term OUI, which stands for operating under the influence, is used to refer to a standard drunk driving charge.

It’s illegal for a person with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher to drive in all 50 states, including Massachusetts, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

In Massachusetts, penalties for operating under the influence include fines, jail time and license revocation, depending on the facts of the current offense and any prior convictions that the driver might have.

Operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04 g/dL or higher violates federal regulations.

Massachusetts laws pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be found here.

If you believe you’ve been in an accident with a drunk driver, you should call the police to document what has taken place.

Collect as much evidence at the accident scene as possible. This includes obtaining the other driver’s contact and insurance information, as well as contact information for any witnesses. Use your cellphone to take pictures of the vehicles, your injuries and anything else that might be relevant.

If the intoxicated driver is acting in an aggressive or erratic manner or you do not feel safe talking to the intoxicated driver, you can obtain the driver’s contact information from the police.

Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. It’s imperative that you have your injuries documented by a medical professional if you plan to seek compensation at a later date. Even if your injuries appear to be minor in nature, have them checked out.

Your next step is to speak with an experienced drunk driving victim’s attorney in Boston about the proper course of action. Don’t delay. An attorney will help you understand your rights under the law and review all of your options.

Importantly, a personal injury lawyer will perform a thorough investigation of the accident and work to gather evidence of the other driver’s intoxication and fault for the crash. A lawyer will also explore whether anyone else is legally responsible for your injuries.

For example, a bar, restaurant or party host could be liable if they overserved the drunk driver. If the drunk driver consumed the alcohol while in the scope of his or her employment, the employer could be on the hook for your injuries.

Other relevant factors include who served the drunk driver his or her last drink, whether the drunk driver was visibly intoxicated at the time and whether the drunk driver was old enough to legally drink.

Massachusetts Dram Shop Law bars vendors from serving or selling alcohol to a minor or an intoxicated person. The law applies to bartenders, wait staff, managers and business owners.

Your personal injury law firm will also work with the drunk driver’s auto insurer on your behalf to make sure you’re being treated fairly and receive full compensation for your injuries.

If the drunk driver’s insurance policy does not provide enough coverage to reimburse you for your injuries, you might be able to recover under your own insurance policy. An insurer will help you make that determination and protect your rights.

If an insurance company contacts you, refer the insurer to your car accident lawyer and refrain from making any other statement. You’re not obligated to speak to the insurance company.

A common mistake is prematurely accepting a settlement offer. Even minor car accident injuries can turn into major ones. Along with accepting a settlement, an insurer will want you to sign a release of liability. This will prevent you from pursuing any additional claims related to the accident at a future date. Don’t sign away your right to compensation.

Your drunk driving victims attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf for the maximum amount of compensation available. In addition, your attorney will help identify other parties who might be liable, including anyone who served the drunk driver while he or she was intoxicated.

If you’re not sure if another party is liable for your car accident and your injuries, your attorney will help you sift through the facts and make that determination.

You can also recover against the drunk driver in a civil suit. This might be the only way for you to recoup the costs of medical care, lost wages and other damages related to the accident. A civil suit is separate from any criminal proceedings being pursued against a drunk driver.

However, keep in mind that the drunk driver might not have enough money to cover your damages, especially if the accident was a serious one. Again, a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney will help you choose the course of action that’s right for you and your specific situation.

Drunk driving cases are complicated. An experienced drunk driving victims lawyer in Boston will get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries, even serious and permanent injuries that can have a lifetime impact on you and your family.

Every drunk driving case is different. The key to a successful outcome is personalized legal advice tailored to your situation and the facts of your case.

The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman has successfully handled drunk driving cases and other car accident cases on behalf of individuals in Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Lawrence and other areas of Massachusetts.

Our attorneys are equipped to help all drunk driving victims, including motorists, passengers and pedestrians whose lives have been turned upside down by a drunk driver’s negligence.

If you or a family member are dealing with a Massachusetts drunk driving victims accident case or any other car accident or personal injury case, contact the Boston personal injury lawyers and wrongful-death attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.

Call (617) 367-2900 – NO FEE UNLESS SUCCESSFUL