Duluth Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

What Injuries Can a Drunk Driving Accident Cause?

Drunk driving accidents in Duluth frequently result in severe, life-altering injuries, many of which require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

TBIs are a common and serious outcome of drunk driving accidents. They occur when the brain is violently shaken or struck, often leading to concussions, memory loss, and cognitive impairments. Some victims suffer from permanent disabilities, requiring lifelong care​.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The force of a drunk driving crash can severely damage the spinal cord, causing partial or complete paralysis. Spinal cord injuries often result in significant loss of mobility, requiring long-term rehabilitation and specialized medical equipment, which drastically impacts the victim's quality of life.

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

The sudden impact of a collision can cause whiplash, a condition that damages the neck's muscles and ligaments. While commonly associated with rear-end collisions, whiplash can occur in any type of crash, leading to chronic pain and reduced mobility​.

Internal Injuries

Drunk driving crashes can result in dangerous internal injuries, such as damage to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries may not have immediate symptoms but can be life-threatening if left untreated. Victims often require emergency surgery and extended hospital stays.

Broken Bones

Fractures are common in drunk driving accidents, especially in high-speed collisions. Victims often suffer broken arms, legs, and ribs. Severe fractures may require surgery, metal implants, and months of rehabilitation to regain function​.

Burns

Some drunk driving accidents involve fires or explosions, especially if a vehicle's fuel tank is damaged. Burn injuries can range from minor to life-threatening and often require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries and skin grafts. Severe burns can also result in permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma.

Emotional Trauma

In addition to physical injuries, victims often suffer from emotional and psychological effects, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Intense fear of driving

The emotional toll can significantly affect daily functioning and quality of life. Psychological trauma is recognized as a legitimate form of pain and suffering under Minnesota law, and victims can seek compensation for these damages.

Recovering Damages After a Drunk Driving Accident

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Duluth are entitled to seek compensation for a wide range of damages. This compensation available generally falls into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses: Compensation for medical bills is typically the largest component of a claim, covering everything from emergency room visits and surgeries to ongoing rehabilitation and future medical needs. This also includes the cost of medications, medical equipment, and any long-term care that may be necessary due to severe injuries​.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to recover lost wages. For long-term injuries, victims can also seek compensation for reduced earning capacity, which takes into account their inability to return to work at full capacity or perform the same job.
• Property damage: Victims can also claim compensation for property damage, such as the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle, as well as any personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the accident.
• Future damages: For victims who suffer long-term or permanent injuries, compensation may also include estimated future expenses, such as ongoing medical treatments and reduced earning capacity​.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering: Drunk driving accidents often result in physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological suffering, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Minnesota law allows victims to seek compensation for these non-economic damages, as they have a profound impact on the victim's quality of life​.
• Punitive damages: In cases where the drunk driver’s conduct was especially reckless, such as extreme intoxication or multiple prior offenses, Minnesota law allows for punitive damages. This is additional compensation intended to punish the offender and deter others from similar reckless behavior​.
• Wrongful death claims: If a loved one is tragically killed in a drunk driving accident, the surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation in these cases can include funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.

Liability for a Drunk Driving Accident

The primary person held liable in a Duluth drunk driving accident is always the impaired driver. Minnesota law holds drunk drivers accountable for any damages they cause, whether they were driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances. This makes them responsible for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

However, other other parties may also be held responsible for a Duluth drunk driving accident.

Dram Shop Liability

Minnesota’s dram shop law allows victims to hold bars and restaurants responsible if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused an accident. This means that if the driver was over-served at a Duluth bar or restaurant, the establishment could be held liable for contributing to the driver’s impairment.

Social Host Liability

Under Minnesota’s social host law, individuals who serve alcohol to minors (under 21) at private parties or gatherings can also be held liable if the intoxicated minor causes an accident. This law does not typically apply to social hosts who serve alcohol to adults​.

Employer Liability

If the drunk driver was on the job at the time of the accident, their employer could be held responsible under vicarious liability. This typically applies if the driver was performing work-related tasks, such as making deliveries or driving a company vehicle. Employers could be held liable if they failed to properly supervise the employee or knowingly allowed an intoxicated person to drive​.

Insurance Companies

Although not directly responsible for causing the accident, insurance companies play a key role in compensating victims. Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system allows victims to file claims with their own insurance provider for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. For more severe injuries, victims can file a personal injury claim against the impaired driver’s insurance​.