All drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and minimize risk to others. When an intoxicated person is behind the wheel, they create a substantial risk of harm due to their impaired judgment. If a drunk driver causes an accident, this negligent behavior can make them liable for any injuries they cause. Drinking and driving incidents are a significant public health hazard that injure and kill thousands every year.

If you have been injured in a collision with a drunk driver in Kentucky, we at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are here to take your case. Drunk drivers should be held accountable for the harm their actions cause to others. We can help you file a claim against the drunk driver to recover compensation for your injury-related losses.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a drunk driving accident attorney in Kentucky.

How Alcohol Affects Driving Ability

Alcohol is a toxic substance that impacts brain function by impairing speech, perception, coordination, and decision-making. When you drink alcohol, you become less able to react to your environment and make fast decisions, which are two skills that are necessary for safe driving. Moreover, drunk drivers are often not aware of their limitations and may not feel like their driving ability is impaired.

In Kentucky, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08 percent. But even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgement and make accidents more likely. Some studies estimate that BAC levels as low as 0.03 percent can reduce reaction times by as much as a third (36 percent). Just a few milliseconds of reaction time can mean the difference between a crash and avoiding an accident.

How Common Are Drunk Driving Accidents in Kentucky?

Drinking and driving incidents are relatively common in Kentucky. According to the Department of Transportation, alcohol impairment was a primary factor in nearly a quarter (24 percent) of fatal accidents in Kentucky in 2023, the most recent year with data available.

Other relevant statistics about DUIs include the following:

  • DUI fatality rates in Kentucky are 0.38 per 100 million miles traveled, slightly lower than the national average.
  • Approximately 17 percent of traffic fatalities in 2023 involved drivers with BAC levels above 0.15 percent.
  • Jefferson County has the highest number of DUI fatalities and accidents in the state.
  • Between 2014 and 2018, men made up nearly 80 percent of all fatal and serious injury DUI crashes in Kentucky.

How Severe Can Drunk Driving Accidents Be?

Drunk driving accidents are exceptionally deadly and cause thousands of severe injuries every year. Intoxicated drivers have impaired judgment, which means they engage in highly risky behaviors like speeding or swerving. Drunk drivers’ reduced reaction time also means they cannot take control fast enough to reduce accident severity and mitigate injuries.

Common injuries from drunk driving accidents include the following:

What to Do if a Drunk Driver Hits You

If a drunk driver hits you, it’s important to act quickly to preserve evidence. First, contact the police and receive any necessary emergency medical attention. It’s important to get a copy of the police accident report as evidence of the other driver’s intoxication.

Next, document the accident scene and your injuries with photos and video recordings. In Kentucky, you’ll first file a claim with your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, if your medical bills exceed $1,000 or you sustain a permanent or disfiguring injury, you can file a claim against the drunk driver. If you have opted out of no-fault PIP coverage, you can proceed directly to filing a claim against the drunk driver.

You should also contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer from Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can obtain copies of your medical documentation, keep track of your losses, and handle your case. They can also manage communications between you and insurance companies.

What Damages Can I Receive if I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?

Injuries from a drunk driving accident can require expensive treatment and leave you unable to work. We can file a drunk driving accident claim to recover your injury-related losses, such as the following:

  • The cost of emergency medical treatment and continuing medical care
  • Lost work earnings, including hourly pay or salary, bonuses, tips, commissions, etc.
  • Differences in pre- and post-injury lifetime expected earning capacity
  • Other injury-related expenses, like transportation or childcare
  • Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment

You may also be able to recover punitive damages in drunk driving cases. KRS 411.184 allows injury victims to recover punitive damages when the offender’s behavior was especially reckless or intentional, or they acted with deliberate malice. This award is meant to punish wrongdoers and deter others from similar dangerous behavior.

What Can a Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorney Do for Me?

Pursuing a drunk driving accident claim can be difficult for several reasons. Settlements for drunk driving accidents can involve a lot of money, so insurance companies scrutinize them heavily. There may be difficulties if the drunk driver flees the scene of the accident. Criminal proceedings from drunk driving charges can also delay resolving insurance claims.

The attorneys from Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can tackle these challenges and provide high-quality legal representation after a drunk driving accident. We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for deserving injury clients and can manage your claim from start to finish. An attorney from our firm can do the following:

  • Investigate the collision and gather evidence
  • Obtain eyewitness statements and police reports
  • Organize expenses and calculate your losses
  • Send demand letters to insurers
  • Negotiate settlement amounts
  • Initiate formal litigation

You can count on our brand of Kentucky Courage to fight aggressively for your interests and pursue all possible paths to a satisfying resolution. We know what it takes and can fight for the justice you deserve.

For your free, no-obligation consultation with a Kentucky drunk driving accident attorney, contact us online or call (877) 809-5352. We’re available 24/7, so reach out whenever it is convenient for you.