Drunk drivers are a danger to everyone who’s on the road at the same time as them. It’s imperative that all victims of drunk driving crashes take steps to hold that driver accountable for their negligence. This may help to prevent the driver from getting behind the wheel after drinking again.
One thing that some people don’t realize is that they can seek compensation for the damages caused by the impaired driving crash through the civil court system. This includes things like your medical bills, lost wages, damaged property, plus pain and suffering.
This is possible even if the person faces criminal charges. The civil court system and criminal court system are completely separate entities, which is why a person can face cases in both.
Different outcomes in each case are possible
It’s possible that a person can be found guilty of drunk driving in a criminal court, but found to not be liable in the civil court. This would mean that they would face criminal penalties but wouldn’t have to pay civil damages. The opposite is also true – although a criminal conviction is generally a good sign that a civil case will be successful (since the standard of proof for a criminal conviction is much higher than that used in civil claims).
If you’re involved in a drunk driving wreck and suffer an injury, you should ensure that you get the medical care you need. Seeking compensation is also possible, but you must act quickly. Ohio law limits how much time you have to file the claim after the crash.