Drunk Driver Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH

Drunk Driver Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH

Drunk Driver Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH

Harsher regulations against drunkenness while operating a vehicle, strict enforcement, advocacy group campaigns and changes in societal perception have been effective in reducing the number of drunk driving incidents nationally. In Ohio, the number of drunk driving accidents has decreased significantly over the past two decades.

Despite the reduction in frequency and increased social awareness on how harmful drunk driving is, drunk driving accidents still happen. From 2019 to 2021, drunk drivers have been involved in 2,000 fatal accidents and have caused over 24,000 injuries. While they are less prevalent than in previous decades, drunk drivers are still an unfortunate reality.

Holding drunk drivers legally accountable for the damage they cause is critical to deterring them from any continued endangerment of other drivers. Drunk drivers face prison sentences, fines, and revoked licenses, but there are other ways to hold them liable for their willful negligence. The Drunk Driver Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH at the Buckeye Law Group can help ensure that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Punitive damages are a rare damage type that is considered an extra punishment awarded in civil trials at the court’s discretion when the defendant’s behavior is considered particularly negligent or harmful. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, you may be eligible for punitive damages.

You shouldn’t have to pay for medical costs that are the result of another driver’s willful imperilment of others. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident in Ohio, the lawyers at the Buckeye Law Group will help you recover damages so you can heal.

Columbus Drunk Driving Accidents and Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are important for drunk driving personal injury claims because of how they differ from other damages. Punitive damages are conditional on several factors:

• They can only be awarded at the court’s discretion (by a jury or a judge)
• In Ohio, punitive damages cannot be greater than $350,000 or double the compensatory damages won by the plaintiff
• The plaintiff must first win compensatory damages before punitive damages can be considered

Compensatory damages are more common than punitive damages because they’re available in every injury claim. Both economic and non-economic damages can be granted in all claims of negligence and strict liability. This is because personal injury law itself is centered around the concept that you should not be financially responsible for another person’s mistake.

Compensatory damages are eligible for settlement. This means that you can settle for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, but you cannot settle punitive damages.

Punitive damages go beyond personal injury law. They are not intended to be a form of compensation for the plaintiff but instead are meant to be an added punishment for defendants. The high cost of punitive damages is meant to be an additional deterrent to prevent the defendant from making the same mistake in the future.

There are many car accident injury cases where the defendant was unintentionally negligent. In these cases, punitive damages cannot be pursued.

Ohio law prevents punitive damages being considered unless the defendant’s actions could be defined as being malicious or if they acted with aggravated or egregious fraud. Other instances where the defendant can be punished with punitive damages include the authorizing, participating in or ratification of actions that could meet that standard of malice or aggravated or egregious fraud.

Drunk drivers are aware of the dangers of their actions. The dangers and illegality of drunk driving are far from a mystery. They knowingly place all nearby drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bike riders in peril, and they should be held to account when they cause crashes. The Drunk Driver Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH at the Buckeye Law Group are committed to holding these individuals accountable for their reckless behavior.