Drunk Driving Car Accidents
Drunk Driving Causes Serious Accidents in Maryland
In 2016, 159 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in Maryland. This statistic highlights the serious dangers of impaired driving. Established in 1987, LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, P.A. advocates for victims of these unnecessary and tragic accidents. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a drunk-driving crash, we guide you through this difficult experience with professionalism and compassion as we pursue your rightful compensation.
Maryland’s DUI Statutes
Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal in Maryland. The law presumes that drivers who are under the legal drinking age of 21 are impaired if they register a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher. Commercial vehicle drivers are considered to be driving under the influence if they have a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher.
Criminal Versus Civil DUI Trial
The drunk driver who caused your accident will likely face prosecution in criminal court. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol in order to convict the individual of a DUI accident. Penalties could include incarceration, probation, fines and restitution. However, the amount of restitution is rarely enough to cover the extensive damages caused by a drunk driver.
Our Baltimore car accident lawyers will attempt to negotiate with the other driver’s auto insurance company to recover your rightful compensation and use criminal records to demonstrate that the driver’s alcohol or drug use contributed to the car accident.
Legislation May Impose Dram Shop Liability in Maryland
Dram shop liability means that a commercial vendor can be held responsible for damages resulting from its sale of alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated patron who causes an auto accident. Currently, Maryland does not have specific legislation that allows dram shop lawsuits. Legislation introduced to the Maryland General Assembly could soon make this liability argument more accessible to injury victims.
Besides determining primary fault during our investigation, we may also find that you have a valid third-party claim. Our attorneys think outside the box and may recover compensation for your injuries from other parties who contributed to your accident, in addition to the drunk driver directly responsible.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
To recover compensation from the alcohol- or drug-impaired driver who caused your car wreck, call LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, P.A. at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact our firm online. We analyze your claim at a free initial consultation. Our Baltimore car accident lawyers are available 24 hours a day by phone to immediately answer your questions. Under our contingency fee arrangement, our firm does not charge you unless we recover damages in your case. Your case is important to our lawyers and staff.
Our offices are conveniently located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, and we represent drunk driving accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.