The Toll of Impaired Driving in Connecticut
Despite tough DUI laws, impaired drivers continue to cause death and serious injury on Connecticut roads every year. A drunk or drugged driver who chooses to get behind the wheel puts everyone in their path at risk, and when they cause a crash, the injuries are often catastrophic. If you or a loved one was hurt by an impaired driver, you have the right to pursue full compensation, separate from any criminal case the state may bring.
Civil Claims Are Separate From Criminal Charges
When a drunk driver injures you, two distinct legal processes can follow. The state may prosecute the driver criminally, but that case is about punishment, not your recovery. Your civil claim is how you recover money for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. You do not have to wait for the criminal case to conclude, and a conviction is not required for you to recover. In fact, evidence of intoxication can strongly support your civil claim.
Connecticut Dram Shop Liability
Connecticut's dram shop law allows injured victims to pursue a claim against a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash. This can provide an additional source of compensation beyond the drunk driver's own insurance. These claims have strict notice requirements and deadlines, so it is important to involve an attorney quickly.
Compensation in Drunk Driving Cases
Victims of impaired-driving crashes may recover medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs, and pain and suffering. Because drunk driving involves a conscious choice to endanger others, punitive damages may also be available in appropriate cases. A free case review is the best way to understand the full value of your claim.
Injured in Connecticut? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Your civil claim for compensation is separate from the state's criminal case. You can pursue it on your own timeline, and you do not need a criminal conviction to recover.
Possibly. Connecticut's dram shop law allows claims against establishments that served a visibly intoxicated person who then caused harm. These claims have strict deadlines, so act quickly.
Generally two years from the date of injury, though dram shop claims have shorter notice requirements. Contact us promptly.