Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Serving Injured People in Dothan & Southeast Alabama
The Dothan drunk driving accident lawyers at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC represent people and families whose lives have been changed forever because another driver decided to get behind the wheel while impaired.
Drinking and driving is a serious problem on the roads and highways of Alabama, injuring and claiming the lives of too many innocent people each year. Alcohol and drugs affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time, and can significantly impair a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
In 2024, 187 people were killed in 4,657 Alabama crashes involving suspected alcohol or drug impairment (Drive Safe Alabama). These crashes were preventable, and the people devastated by them deserve accountability.
A DUI arrest and conviction punishes the impaired driver, but it doesn’t pay your medical bills, replace your lost income, or compensate you for the pain and destruction the crash caused. That requires a separate injury claim.
At Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, we take pride in holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions. Our attorneys have more than 130 years of combined experience. Our job is to help you understand your options, provide compassionate guidance, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love was injured by a drunk driver in Dothan, Houston County, Southeast Alabama, or the Tri-State Area, call 844.654.6228 or contact us online today for a FREE and confidential case review. We’re ready to help.
What To Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Dothan
After any serious crash, your health and safety come first. You may not be able to gather information, take photos, or even think clearly in the moment. That’s okay. And if the other driver appears aggressive or unpredictable, just focus on getting help.
If you or someone with you can safely take the following steps, it could help protect you and your future injury claim.
1. Call 911
Report the crash right away. If you believe the other driver may be impaired, tell the dispatcher and the responding officers. Signs of intoxication include:
- Smell of alcohol
- Slurred speech
- Open containers
- Reckless driving
- Confusion
- Unusual behavior
2. Get Medical Care
Accept emergency medical help if you need it. Even if you aren’t taken by ambulance, get checked by a doctor, urgent care provider, or emergency department as soon as possible. Some serious injuries may not be obvious right away.
3. Alert Law Enforcement
Let the officer know if you saw anything that suggests drug or alcohol impairment. Your observations could prove to be very important later, especially if the driver tries to deny drinking or the insurance company tries to downplay what occurred.
4. Document Everything You Can
If it’s safe to do so, take photos or videos of the scene, injuries, road conditions, skid marks, and anything else that suggests alcohol or drug use was in play. But don’t put yourself in danger just to gather evidence. Our team will work with what you have and collect what we need later.
5. Get Witness Information if Possible
Passengers, bystanders, servers, bartenders, liquor store employees, and other drivers may have seen the crash or noticed the driver’s condition before they got behind the wheel. Names and contact information can be very helpful to us.
6. Be Careful With Insurance Companies
Even when the other driver was impaired, the insurance company could still look for ways to reduce or deny your claim. Under Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, a defendant can argue that you contributed to the crash and should be barred from recovering compensation.
For this reason, insurers may try to place even a small amount of blame on you to avoid a payout. Talk to our Dothan DUI injury lawyers before giving a recorded statement or signing anything. We can help protect you and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
7. Contact a Dothan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The criminal DUI case and your civil injury claim are separate. A criminal case is about penalties against the driver. Your civil case is about compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses. The compassionate advocates and proven litigators at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC can pursue your claim while you focus on your recovery.
What Is the Legal Limit To Drive in Alabama?
Under Alabama law:
- Most drivers age 21 and older can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher.
- Drivers under 21 are held to a 0.02% limit.
- Commercial drivers may be considered legally impaired at 0.04%.
Alabama law also prohibits driving under the influence of controlled substances or any substance that impairs a person’s ability to drive safely. However, keep in mind that your injury claim doesn’t depend on a specific BAC number.
Other evidence can also help show impairment, including:
- Officer observations
- Field sobriety testing
- Witness statements
- Video footage
- Admissions by the driver
- Open containers
- Receipts
- Toxicology results
How Long Do I Have To File a DUI Injury Claim in Alabama?
In most Alabama personal injury cases, including DUI-related injury claims, you generally have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If the crash caused the death of someone you love, Alabama’s wrongful death deadline is also generally 2 years, usually measured from the date of death.
That may seem like plenty of time, but waiting can only hurt your case. Witnesses may become harder to find. Surveillance footage may be erased. Receipts, records, and other evidence may become more difficult to obtain. The sooner you contact a Dothan drunk driving accident attorney at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, the sooner our team can begin building your case.
Our Dothan Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers Can Help
Recovering compensation after a drunk driving crash requires that we prove what happened, who is legally responsible, and how the crash has affected your life. In many cases, the drunk driver is the obvious defendant. But that doesn’t mean the insurance company will treat you fairly.
The team at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC can handle the legal work, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the accountability that you and your loved ones so rightfully deserve.
Our Dothan drunk driving injury lawyers can help by:
- Investigating how the crash occurred & who may be liable
- Reviewing police reports, DUI records, test results & officer observations
- Looking for body cam, dash cam, surveillance, or traffic camera footage
- Speaking with witnesses who saw the crash or the driver’s behavior
- Reviewing whether a bar, restaurant, store, or employer may share liability
- Handling insurance communications on your behalf
- Calculating the full impact of your injuries, expenses & losses
- Preparing your case for settlement negotiations or trial
This case is about your health, your future, your family, and holding the drunk driver accountable for the harm they caused. We’ll treat you and your family with dignity, respect, and care, and fight for the justice you deserve.
Testimonials From Former Clients
Cory was absolutely fantastic. He settled my case beyond what I could even imagine. Not only was he very knowledgeable concerning the law, he was available whenever we needed him, Cory was also so kind and courteous to us at all times. During the time since my case ended I have called on Cory several times to ask questions related to situations I have had going on and he has always been available to help me. I would recommend Cory without a second thought to any friend, family member, co-worker or acquaintance.
Attorney Driggers and his team did a wonderful job with my case. They were professional and pleasant. They were patient with me and answered all my questions. They addressed all my concerns from the first conversation to the last. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing an attorney.
Hired Joseph Morris to handle my car accident and he did a great job at handling the case and explained the process as the case went. I would highly recommend him.
“I was pleased with their work and the outcome of my case.”
Cory and his staff are very professional and make you feel at ease whether it is by phone or in person. My case was solved quickly and very efficiently. Thanks for everything!!
Love, love, love these people! When no one out there seems to care, let me tell you that this group right here will fight tooth and nail for you.
I would highly recommend Cory Driggers. He kept me informed all during my case. I never felt left in the dark. He was always straightforward with me. I can’t express how impressed I was with him.
The staff handled my case in a prompt and professional manner. They returned my calls in a timely fashion and was always prepared to answer any questions. Furthermore, Attorney Driggers is a Christian man and first class professional. I am certainly happy that i was represented by this Law Firm.
Joey (and his team) was extremely helpful in a time when we did not know what to do. His professional approach gave us assurance while he settled our case.
Cory Driggers represented my daughter following an car accident. He showed real genuine care for her and the case. He and his staff worked to get all of the medical bills gathered and also to get them decreased. Cory kept us updated and contacted my daughter when decisions needed to be made. Ultimately, Cory got what my daughter deserved for her injuries and my daughter was completely satisfied. I would recommend Cory to anyone that is looking for a good Christian attorney. Thanks Cory for your help!
I would recommend Mr. Driggers to anybody needing legal help him and his staff first of all are very nice to you and act like they are very understanding to your needs. He talked to me on the phone like he knew me all my life and that really mattered to me. When we had our hearing he treated me like he had already met me and he hadn’t, I just really loved him and have already been telling people about him and his office.
“Never in a million years did I believe that these attorneys would do everything possible to seek justice.”
Mr.Driggers is a wonderful Lawyer that knows the law, he helped me when I had no idea in my situation where to start and what to do, he worked with me hands on and got the best results for me in my case. It was a privilege to get to know him as my lawyer and a friend. If you need legal representation call him you will be satisfied.
“I’ve had Joey take care of three separate cases and two for other family members. The service was always great and he was always there to answer my questions no matter how many times I called. Great m …”
I would highly recommend Cory Driggers. He kept me informed all during my case. I never felt left in the dark. He was always straightforward with me . I can’t express how impressed I was with him.
“Our family is so thankful for Mark, Dan and their entire team. Every step of the way they made sure we were comfortable and understood every aspect of our case. It was apparent that our interest was …”
Your Rights After You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver in Alabama
If you were injured by a drunk driver, you may have the right to bring a civil claim against that driver for the harm they caused. Depending on the details, there may also be other claims to consider.
- If the impaired driver was working at the time of the crash, an employer may need to be investigated.
- If the driver was operating a commercial vehicle, delivery truck, company vehicle, or 18-wheeler, there may be additional insurance coverage and questions about employer responsibility.
- If the driver was over-served alcohol before the crash, Alabama’s dram shop law may also apply.
These claims require careful investigation. Our team of DUI injury lawyers in Dothan has the experience and determination to pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.
Drunk Drivers Can Injure More Than Other Drivers
Drunk driving crashes don’t only involve people in passenger vehicles. Impaired drivers can seriously injure pedestrians, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and passengers. In some cases, the impaired driver may be operating a work vehicle, delivery vehicle, or large commercial truck.
That can make your case more complicated, but it can also open the door to additional sources of recovery. Our firm can investigate every angle and identify every party that may be legally responsible.
Helpful Evidence in a DUI Crash Injury Case
Strong evidence can make a major difference in a DUI crash claim. Helpful evidence can include:
- Police crash reports
- DUI arrest records
- Breath, blood, or field sobriety test information
- Officer observations
- 911 recordings & dispatch logs
- Photos & videos from the crash scene
- Crash reconstruction evidence
- Witness statements from passengers, bystanders, bartenders, servers, or other drivers
- Bar, restaurant, or store receipts
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
- Cell phone records
You don’t need to worry about collecting all of this yourself. Our attorneys can request records, gather evidence, and work to preserve vital information before it becomes harder to find.
Damages in Alabama Drunk Driving Accident Claims
A drunk driving crash can cause serious injuries and devastation that can impact you and your family long after the wreckage is cleared. Potential compensation may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Follow-up appointments & specialist care
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Prescription medication & medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain & suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the crash caused the tragic loss of someone you love, Alabama wrongful death law has specific rules about who may file and what damages may be pursued. These cases should be reviewed as soon as possible so your family understands their legal options.
Notable Verdicts & Settlements
Common Injuries in Impaired Driving Crashes
Common injuries in drunk driving crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck & back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Burns, cuts & severe lacerations
- Knee, shoulder & hip injuries
- Facial injuries & dental trauma
- Whiplash & soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma, anxiety & sleep problems
No matter how obvious the drunk driver’s wrongdoing may seem, your injuries still need to be fully documented. That includes current medical treatment, future care needs, work limitations, and the day-to-day impact on your life.
Contact Our Dothan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love was hit by a drunk driver in Dothan, Houston County, the Wiregrass, or anywhere in Southeast Alabama, you deserve answers, support, and a legal team that’s prepared to hold the responsible parties accountable for your pain.
Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC offers FREE and confidential case evaluations. We handle drunk driving crash cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay attorney’s fees unless we win your case.
It costs nothing to find out whether you have a case. And after a serious drunk driving crash, it’s better to ask now than wonder later whether you had options for compensation available to help your family move forward.
Call 844.654.6228 or contact us online today to speak with our Dothan drunk driving accident lawyers. We’re ready to help.
