-
Criminal Defense
-
Personal Injury
North Carolina
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
250+ Reviews and counting
You deserve answers and accountability. Schedule a confidential consultation to find out how we can help you pursue full compensation.
Take the first step. Click below to schedule your case review today.
Every 42 minutes in America, someone dies in a drunk driving crash. Behind each statistic is a story—a parent who won’t come home, a child who won’t grow up, a future erased in an instant.
These aren’t accidents. They’re crimes with devastating consequences that ripple through families and communities for years to come.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, our North Carolina drunk driving accident attorneys have stood beside countless victims and families as they rebuild their lives after being hit by drunk drivers. We know how to hold these drivers and sometimes the bars that overserved them accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
You shouldn’t have to pay for a drunk driver’s reckless choices.
Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, drunk driving remains a serious problem on North Carolina roads. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, alcohol-related crashes cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year:
These aren’t just statistics—they represent real people whose lives were forever changed by someone’s decision to drink and drive.
Drunk driving crashes often cause severe injuries due to high speeds, head-on collisions, and the drunk driver’s failure to brake before impact. Common injuries include:
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, prolonged rehabilitation, and may result in permanent disability. The financial burden can be overwhelming, with medical bills quickly reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Under North Carolina law, victims of drunk driving crashes have strong legal protections. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol, they may face both criminal penalties and civil liability.
As a victim, you may be entitled to several types of compensation:
North Carolina law specifically allows for punitive damages in drunk driving cases under N.C.G.S. § 1D-15. These additional damages are designed to punish the drunk driver and deter similar conduct.
Unlike many other personal injury cases, proving drunk driving creates a straightforward path to pursuing these additional damages.
Our North Carolina drunk driving accident lawyers investigate all potentially responsible parties:
The intoxicated driver bears primary responsibility for choosing to drive while impaired. Their auto insurance policy is typically the first source of compensation.
Under North Carolina’s dram shop liability laws, establishments that serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated may share liability if that person causes a crash. This is established in N.C.G.S. § 18B-121.
Social host liability is more limited but may apply in specific circumstances—especially when minors are involved.
If someone knowingly lends their vehicle to an intoxicated driver, they may share responsibility for resulting damages.
If the drunk driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer may share liability under certain circumstances.
Identifying all liable parties is crucial because the drunk driver may have insufficient insurance coverage to fully compensate you for catastrophic injuries.
The steps you take after a drunk driving crash can significantly impact your health and legal rights:
Remember, you’re not just another insurance claim—you’re a victim of a crime who deserves full compensation and justice.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a serious crash can take on you and your family.
Our team has the knowledge, resources, and determination to stand up to insurance companies and hold drunk drivers accountable for their reckless actions.
Time is critical in drunk driving cases. Contact us today.
Serving victims of drunk driving throughout Raleigh, Durham, Orange, Carteret, and Chatham Counties, and all of North Carolina.
Wake County
Carteret County
Durham County
Orange County
Chatham County
Johnston County (Smithfield courthouse only)
If you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured drunk driver, you may still have options for recovery:
Our attorneys will identify all possible sources of recovery to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Under N.C.G.S. § 1-52, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. However, it’s crucial to begin the legal process much sooner. Evidence disappears quickly, and building a strong case takes time.
If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash, the wrongful death statute of limitations under N.C.G.S. § 1-53 is just two years from the date of death.
North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which means if you’re found even 1% at fault for an accident, you may be barred from recovering compensation. Insurance companies often try to use this rule to deny valid claims.
However, drunk driving cases often present clear liability against the intoxicated driver. Our experienced attorneys know how to counter any arguments about shared fault and protect your right to compensation.
Insurance companies often make quick settlement offer, hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full extent of your injuries. These offers are almost always far less than what your case is worth.
Never accept a settlement offer without consulting an experienced drunk driving accident attorney. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back and ask for more money if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought.
5.0
5.0
5.0
