Were you a victim of drunk driving in Columbus? Let us help. Drunk driving accidents are completely preventable, yet innocent victims like you are left to deal with the aftermath of someone else’s reckless behavior every day. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable and pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries. Our Columbus Car Accident Lawyers are here to help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
The Cost of Driving Under the Influence
Although getting behind the wheel while under the influence is illegal in the state of Ohio, data shows that intoxicated drivers continuously take to the roads despite the legal and ethical ramifications. In fact, the advocacy organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that we share the road with 300,000 drunk drivers every day across the nation, and the average intoxicated driver will drunk drive 80 times before their first arrest.
In 1993, the Ohio Department of Public Safety chose Franklin County for the first county-wide DUI Task Force in the state. Today, it continues to be manned by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and is tasked with identifying and assessing the county’s impaired driving problems and responding by developing relevant action plans. Despite Central Ohio’s dedicated effort to prevent drunk driving, this tragedy continues to take place.
Many people who drive under the influence underestimate both how intoxicated they are and how greatly even a few drinks can affect their faculties. On the weekends, when many people enjoy social outings where drinks are offered, fatal drunk driving accidents hit their peak in part to this underestimation (NSC). Afterwards, they still perceive themselves as safe to get behind the wheel, unable to perceive the way that each drink dulls their logic and senses.
Alcohol is a nervous system depressant, which means that consuming it can lower brain function and neural activity, even when you feel capable and conscious. Drinking can affect both the body and the mind in a myriad of ways, including:
- Impairing your judgement
- Slowing your reaction time
- Blurring your vision
- Altering your mood
- Reducing your coordination
- Affecting your memory
When you aren’t in proper control of your facilities, operating a vehicle becomes an immense danger to not only yourself, but others on the road. Impaired driving significantly increases the chances of accidents such as:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Wrong-way driving accidents
- High-speed crashes
- T-bone collisions
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s OVI Dashboard indicates that more than 60,000 impaired driving crashes have taken place from 2021 to 2026, and more than 87,000 arrests have been issued due to driving under the influence. Every year, drunk driving injures thousands of Ohioans, creating lasting impacts and financial burdens that can be overwhelming for injury victims and their families to navigate.
Negligence Per Se
In the case of a drunk driving accident, the responsible party will likely face a criminal case in addition to any civil claim that you raise. If they are convicted for a DUI in the former, this conviction may strengthen the victim’s civil case. This is due to a legal principle in the United States called negligence per se — “negligence in and of itself” — which dictates that violating a law or statute automatically establishes negligence. Because driving under the influence is an illegal act, any driver guilty of this misconduct can automatically be considered negligent.
But it’s important to note that proving negligence per se is not enough to guarantee a case on its own, and any drunk driving accident claim will require more supporting evidence. At The Fitch Law Firm, we can help you obtain the necessary evidence by investigating the accident, acquiring breathalyzer and toxicology results, and accident reports made by the Columbus Division of Police or other local law enforcement.
Compensation Available After a Columbus Drunk Driving Accident
Drunk driving accidents can not only have a devastating impact on your physical health but also on your emotional and financial well-being. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we believe that if someone else’s negligence caused your suffering, you deserve adequate compensation. Our Columbus Personal Injury Lawyers can assist you in pursuing various forms of compensation, including:
Our car accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, assess the full extent of your damages, and pursue fair compensation.
The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.
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How The Fitch Law Firm Can Help
If you were severely injured in a car accident involving an intoxicated driver, a Columbus drunk driving accident lawyer can help you file a claim and pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
At The Fitch Law Firm, our legal team can:
- Investigate your accident and any resulting injuries
- Gather accident reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage
- Obtain breathalyzer results, toxicology reports, and other evidence proving intoxication
- Identify liable parties
- Review your insurance coverage and disputed fault claims
- Calculate damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and future treatment needs
- Negotiate with insurance companies and responsible parties
- Pursue compensation through settlement negotiations and provide litigation support if necessary
Victims of serious motor vehicle accidents may have to face extensive treatment and prolonged recovery periods after their accident. For victims living in Columbus, there are numerous highly rated medical centers whose care can help injured community members, such as:
- OhioHealth Grant Medical Center
- Mount Carmel Health System
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
But we also understand that long term treatment can become costly for the average person, and managing growing medical costs while you’re forced to take time off work can add to the stress they’re likely already facing. At The Fitch Law Firm, our legal team can help accident victims like you alleviate the financial burden that comes with getting adequate medical care by pursuing a fair and reasonable settlement on your claim. We can handle your legal needs so that you can concentrate on getting your life back.
Establishing Liability for Injuries Caused by Drunk Driving in Columbus
Proving negligence is a critical element in a successful personal injury case.
To successfully establish negligence in Ohio, we must demonstrate the following:
- Duty of care: We must establish that the drunk driver owed a duty of care to others on the road, including obeying traffic laws, not driving while impaired, and taking reasonable precautions to prevent harm.
- Breach of duty: Our team must show that the drunk driver breached their duty of care by driving while intoxicated.
- Causation: Your case needs to establish that the drunk driver’s breach of duty was the direct cause of the injuries sustained in the accident.
- Damages: You must have suffered damages as a result of the drunk driver’s negligence.
Proving negligence in Ohio can be complex and requires thorough investigation, evidence gathering, and legal experience. Our Columbus drunk driving accident lawyers can help build a strong case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Ohio Dram Shop Cases
Under Ohio law, drunk driving accident victims may also be able to hold third parties responsible for their injuries in certain cases. These cases can be exceedingly complex, but you don’t need to worry about that.
Our lawyers can help you determine if you are eligible to file a claim against a liable establishment or social host.
When to Work With a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Filing a lawsuit can be an option to seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve. However, handling this process while you’re attempting to recover from your injuries can seem impossible.
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you will want to work with a lawyer from our team:
- Was the drunk driver uninsured or underinsured, leaving you with significant out-of-pocket expenses?
- Did the drunk driver’s insurance company deny your claim or offer an inadequate settlement?
- Did you suffer severe injuries that may require ongoing medical treatment or care?
- Did the drunk driver’s actions cause you to lose a loved one?
- Are you facing financial challenges due to the accident, such as medical bills, lost income, or property damage?
Do not handle your case alone. There are time limits called statutes of limitations that govern how long you have to claim compensation. Our drunk driving car accident lawyers in Columbus will get your case started right away and keep it on track.
You Pay Nothing Upfront for Our Legal Assistance
Recovering from a drunk driving accident should be your main focus, not how you’ll come up with thousands of dollars to pay for legal help.
We operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you only pay us if we win your case. There is no financial risk when you enlist our help.
We also offer a free consultation to determine how we can help you.
See How Our Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyers in Columbus, OH Can Help You Today
Don’t let the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of a drunk driving accident overwhelm you. The Fitch Law Firm LLC is here to help. Our team of personal injury lawyers will fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Take action now! Call us today to schedule a FREE consultation and let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. You don’t have to face this challenging situation alone. Trust in our experience, compassion, and dedication to seek justice on your behalf.