Drunk driving is not only illegal, but it puts motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists at risk for severe physical harm or death as a result of a drunk driving accident. Those who suffer injury in a drunk driving accident must cope with the physical pain of injury and recovery as well as the added emotional stress which stems from increased medical expenses and lost income from missing work due to injury, treatment, and recovery.
At The Robert Pahlke Law Group, we understand the devastation which can come in the wake of a drunk driving accident, and we are here to help you seek justice and hold the drunk driver who harmed you accountable for his or her actions.
Contact The Robert Pahlke Group to tell us your story and discuss the circumstances around your case to an experienced auto accident attorney, so we can help you find the best course of action for your situation.
The Robert Pahlke Law Group’s Results in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
The skilled legal team at The Robert Pahlke Law Group has more than 30 years of experience negotiating, settling, and litigating personal injury claims for their clients, including those who were injured in drunk driving accidents. Their passionate commitment to professional excellence has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in judgments and settlements for their clients. Recent noteworthy cases include recovery amounts which range from $1,000,000 to more than $20 million.
These are examples and do not guarantee an outcome in any case, but our team of personal injury attorneys will aggressively pursue the best outcome for your drunk driving accident claim. We are a litigation-focused firm who isn’t afraid to take your fight to the courtroom to hold responsible parties liable for their actions.
Injuries You Might Suffer in a Nebraska Drunk Driving Accident
Alcohol-related crashes are on the decrease in Nebraska, which follows the nationwide downward trend of about a 30 percent in recent decades. Yet, drunk driving accidents still occur. When these accidents are more severe than a fender-bender, injured victims might suffer debilitating injuries which can be fatal. Beyond bumps, bruises, and broken bone or two, severe injuries from a drunk driving accident require the services of a competent lawyer to ensure victims get the compensation they deserve. Examples of serious injuries from a drunk driving accident in Nebraska include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). When victims sustain a head trauma during a drunk driving accident, they risk a TBI. Minor TBIs, or concussions, often heal quickly on their own, but more severe TBIs can lead to chronic struggles with thinking, remembering, dealing with emotions, and sensations. TBIs are especially dangerous for children because their brains are not fully developed. A moderate TBI can cause a child to experience major developmental issues for years, which sometimes extends into adulthood.
- Spinal cord injuries. Among the most life-changing and costly of all types of injuries, spinal cord injuries can devastate victims and their families. Minor spinal cord damage might cause temporary paralysis and loss of bodily function in some parts of the body, but as the injury heals, victims typically recover all lost function(s). Yet, severe spinal cord damage does not heal and victims face a lifetime of medical treatment and nursing care if they suffer permanent paralysis. The extent and location of paralysis depend on which part of the spine was damaged; injuries which are closer to the brain typically result in more severe loss of function.
- Back injuries. Regardless of the speed upon impact, drunk driving accidents can cause severe back injury. Victims might have slipped, bulged, or fractured vertebrae after a drunk driving accident. Although surgery can alleviate some of their pain with surgery, back injury victims often suffer chronic pain related to their injury for their entire life.
- Amputation. Crushed limbs are often a result of drunk driving accidents that have occurred at high speeds. Legs are especially vulnerable for being pinned under a seat, the steering wheel, or the vehicle. In some cases, doctors can save these limbs. Yet, in many cases, a crushed limb needs to be amputated, causing extreme physical and psychological pain for victims.
Seeking Compensation After a Nebraska Drunk Driving Accident
When you bring a lawsuit against the drunk driver who caused you harm, a Nebraska court might award you compensation for a wide array of damages related to your accident and injury. Some of the most common recoverable damages for your economic and non-economic losses include:
- Medical treatment costs for ambulance ride, emergency room visit, hospitalization, surgery, radiology, and medication
- Future treatment costs when a drunk driver causes a severe injury requiring extensive recovery or a permanent disability requiring indefinite care and treatment
- Rehabilitation expenses for specialists who help accident victims regain function, e.g. physical therapist, vocational therapist, occupational therapist
- Expenses for assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and artificial limbs
- Current and future lost wages as a result of missing work from injury, hospitalization, recovery and/or permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
If you have lost a child or other loved family member in a drunk driving accident, you might be able to seek compensation for damages in a wrongful death lawsuit depending on your relationship with the deceased. You might recover some of the previously listed damages, as well as expenses related to a funeral and burial. Your Nebraska drunk driving lawyer will advise you on the best course of action for you and your family.
Hire a Skilled Nebraska Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has suffered injury or died in a drunk driving accident, you deserve compensation for your injury and loss. The Robert Pahlke Law Group represents clients throughout Nebraska. Contact us today online or at (308) 633-4444 for a free consultation to evaluate your case and determine the best path forward for your individual situation. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, deducting our attorney fees only from any compensation we secure for you.