Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol is a crime in Colorado and all 50 states. Unfortunately, it’s something that thousands of Colorado drivers do every year.
If you get into a car accident with a driver who appears drunk in Broomfield, contact a lawyer at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. for assistance right away. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the drunk driver’s insurance company. We are passionate about holding wrongdoers accountable and can help you get the amount that you deserve.
After a painful and stressful car accident involving a drunk driver, an attorney can take care of the legal process for you while you heal. Your lawyer can return to the scene of the crash, investigate to find evidence of drunk driving, file your claim, hire experts and negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf. When going up against a car insurance company, your lawyer can use proven and aggressive legal strategies to obtain maximum results. A car insurance company will not take advantage of you or devalue your claim with a lawyer representing your best interests.
It is against the law to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at or above 0.08 percent in Colorado. This is the legal limit for noncommercial drivers. If the driver has a commercial driver’s license and was operating a commercial vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler, the legal BAC is 0.04 percent. Colorado also has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under the age of 21, meaning any detectable BAC is against the law.
If a driver is caught driving while intoxicated by alcohol, he or she can receive a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. The penalties for this type of criminal conviction can include fines, jail time and a mandatory ignition interlock device. If a driver causes a car accident while drunk, he or she can face increased criminal penalties for an aggravated DUI. The drunk driver will also be held accountable for the crash with civil consequences.
As a victim of a drunk driver in Colorado, you can seek financial compensation from the intoxicated driver through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. With help from a lawyer, the odds of a successful settlement are high; however, in some cases, a lawsuit is necessary if an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement. It is important to consult with a car accident lawyer near you as soon as possible to begin the legal process.
As the plaintiff, or filing party, in a drunk driving accident claim, you have the burden of proof. This means it is your responsibility to establish that the other driver is more likely to be at fault for the car accident – due to intoxication or reckless driving – than not at fault. A lawyer can help you collect clear and convincing evidence to support your case, such as:
An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of your crash to search for evidence of fault or causation. Then, your lawyer can use this to prove the other driver’s civil liability and obtain fair financial compensation for your serious injuries and property damage. The amount that you receive will depend on the extent of your injuries, the insurance policy and many other factors.
If you were recently involved in a drunk driving accident in Colorado, help is available at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. Our car accident lawyers have been devoted to representing clients’ best interests for many decades. We are a trusted and reputable law firm in Denver. Call (303) 395-4773 or send us a message online today for a free initial case evaluation.
