Arkansas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Serving Clients in Rogers, Arkansas and Nationwide

The Arkansas drunk driving accident lawyers at Oliver Law Firm are committed to helping victims of drunk drivers recover the maximum compensation they deserve for their physical, financial, and emotional losses after a crash. Although a collision with a drunk driver is over in just seconds, the impact of these devastating events can affect victims and their families for a lifetime.

Thousands of drunk drivers are arrested every year in Arkansas, and hundreds die in drunk driving crashes throughout the state. Sober drivers who were harmed at no fault of their own deserve justice. Our firm is dedicated to righting the wrongs innocent people suffer as a result of negligence. We work tirelessly to ensure the wrongfully injured obtain the full and fair compensation to which they are entitled under the law.

If you were hurt in a crash involving a drunk driver, contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at (479) 202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. Our experienced drunk driving accident lawyers will listen to your story, assess the merits of your claim, and explain your legal rights and options. We serve clients across Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.

Do I Need a Lawyer if I Was Hurt by a Drunk Driver?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident by an intoxicated driver, a drunk driving accident lawyer can assist you in several key ways to ensure you receive fair compensation and justice:

Case Evaluation

A lawyer can assess the specifics of your case, including reviewing police reports, witness statements, and other evidence to determine the strength of your claim and the compensation you might be entitled to.

Navigating Legal Complexities

Personal injury laws can be complex, and each case has its unique nuances. A lawyer experienced in such cases will understand the legal framework, including statutes of limitations and specific state laws that apply to your case.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. A drunk driving accident lawyer can negotiate with these companies on your behalf, advocating for a settlement that adequately covers your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Proving Liability and Damages

Establishing the other driver’s liability and the extent of your damages is crucial. An attorney can collect and present necessary evidence, including medical records and expert testimonies, to support your claim.

Representing You in Court

If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your DUI accident lawyer can represent you in court, handling all aspects of trial preparation and litigation to seek the compensation you deserve.

Maximizing Your Compensation

Drunk driving accident lawyers have the experience to estimate the value of your claim correctly, including current and future expenses and non-economic damages, ensuring you seek adequate compensation.

Legal Advice and Support

Throughout the process, a DUI accident lawyer can provide ongoing legal advice and emotional support, helping you understand your rights and the best course of action.

What Is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream. It’s typically measured as the weight of ethanol (the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks) in a specific volume of blood. BAC is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, a BAC of 0.08% means that there are 0.08 grams of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of blood.

BAC levels are used to legally define intoxication or impairment in drivers. Higher BAC levels typically indicate greater impairment. BAC can be influenced by factors such as:

• The number of alcoholic beverages consumed
• The rate of consumption
• The drinker’s body weight 
• The drinker’s gender
• The amount of food eaten

In Arkansas, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limits vary depending on the driver’s age and the type of driving license they hold:

At Oliver Law Firm, our compassionate team of drunk driving accident lawyers has a deep understanding of Arkansas’s laws regarding Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and their implications for drivers of different categories:

• Regular Drivers: In Arkansas, the BAC limit for most drivers using personal vehicles is set at 0.08%.
• Commercial License Holders: Drivers with commercial licenses are subject to a stricter BAC limit of 0.04%, reflecting the heightened responsibilities of commercial driving.
• Drivers Under 21: Adhering to zero-tolerance policies for underage drinking and driving, the state enforces a BAC limit of less than 0.02% for drivers under 21 years old.

The drunk driving accident lawyers at Oliver Law Firm have extensive experience handling these cases. We understand the complexities of Arkansas law and we know how to build a strong case. If you were injured in a drunk driver accident, call our office right away.

Who May Be Liable in an Arkansas Drunk Driving Accident?

In an Arkansas drunk driving accident, several parties may be liable, depending on the circumstances of the incident:

The Drunk Driver

This is the most straightforward and common scenario. The driver who was under the influence of alcohol and caused the accident is primarily liable for any damages resulting from the crash.

Bar, Restaurant, or Alcohol Seller (Dram Shop Liability)

Under Arkansas’s dram shop laws, an establishment that sells alcohol may be held liable if they knowingly sold alcohol to a minor or to someone who was clearly intoxicated and presented a clear, present danger to others. This can include bars, restaurants, or any other commercial establishments.

Employers

If the drunk driver was performing work-related duties or was driving a company vehicle at the time of the accident, the employer might be held liable under certain circumstances. This is often through the legal principle of “respondeat superior,” where an employer is responsible for the actions of employees performed within the course of their employment.

Vehicle Owners

If the vehicle driven by the intoxicated individual was owned by someone else, the owner of the vehicle might also bear some liability, especially if they knew or should have known about the driver’s impairment.

Social Hosts

In certain situations, a social host who provides alcohol at a private event may be held liable, particularly if they served alcohol to a minor.

Parents of a Minor

If a minor causes a drunk driving accident, the parents or legal guardians may be held responsible, particularly if the minor was driving a vehicle owned by the parents.

Dram Shop Law in Arkansas

Arkansas’s Dram Shop law enables drunk driving accident victims and their families to pursue compensation from establishments such as bars, restaurants, or other alcohol sellers if they serve alcohol to someone who is underage or obviously intoxicated, and that person subsequently causes harm, such as in a DUI accident. 

Specifically, Arkansas Code  § 16-126-104 applies to sales to clearly intoxicated individuals and § 16-126-103 addresses the sale of alcohol to individuals under 21 years old.

A “dram shop” is any establishment that is licensed, or required to be licensed, to sell alcoholic beverages. This term encompasses a wide range of businesses that offer various alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, liquor, spirits, and cocktails to their patrons, such as:

• Bars
• Restaurants
• Nightclubs
• Stadiums and Entertainment Venues
• Hotels
• Casinos

Pursuing legal action against establishments like bars or restaurants in a dram shop case begins with contacting an attorney. The Arkansas drunk driving lawyers at Oliver Law Firm will conduct a thorough investigation and provide guidance throughout the legal process. After identifying the responsible establishment(s), your attorney will initiate the claim(s) and strive to achieve a favorable settlement or court verdict on your behalf.

Drugged Driving Is Drunk Driving

In Arkansas, driving under the influence of drugs (including controlled substances, prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs) is treated as a serious offense and is subject to penalties similar to drunk driving. The law defines “intoxicated” not only by a specific blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level but also by substantial alteration of the driver’s reaction and motor skills due to the ingestion of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any intoxicant. This means a person can be charged with DUI or DWI even if they are under the influence of legal or prescribed drugs if those substances impair their driving abilities.

Potential Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim

In an Arkansas drunk driving accident claim, you may be entitled to different types of damages. These include:

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover measurable expenses like:

• Medical Bills
• Property Damage
• Lost Wages
• Future Lost Earning Capacity

Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages are for subjective losses such as:

• Physical Pain And Suffering
• Mental Anguish
• Loss Of Enjoyment Of Life
• Wrongful Death
• Disfigurement

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, although rare, may also be sought in certain cases. These are aimed not at compensating the plaintiff, but rather at punishing the defendant for their actions and deterring similar behavior in the future.

Arkansas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that in an accident, if you are found to be less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages. However, the compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 in damages but are found 30% responsible for the accident, you will receive $70,000. But if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you won’t be eligible for any compensation from the other parties involved.

Common Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Drunk driving accidents can result in a range of injuries, often severe due to the impaired judgment and reflexes of the intoxicated driver. Common injuries in such accidents include:

• Head and Brain Injuries: These can range from concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) to skull fractures. Since alcohol impairs coordination and reaction times, drunk drivers are less likely to brace for impact, increasing the risk of head injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can lead to paralysis (quadriplegia/tetraplegia or paraplegia), loss of sensation, or other permanent disabilities. The force of a collision in a drunk driving accident can be enough to damage the spine severely.
• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The sudden jolt of a crash can cause whiplash, which is a common neck injury characterized by the rapid, forceful movement of the neck back and forth.
• Broken Bones: The impact of a drunk driving accident can lead to fractures in any part of the body, but commonly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
• Internal Injuries: These can include damage to internal organs like the liver, kidneys, or spleen, and internal bleeding. Such injuries might not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening.
• Lacerations and Bruises: Broken glass, metal debris, and the force of impact can cause cuts and bruises, which can range from minor to severe.
• Burns: In cases where a vehicle catches fire post-collision, occupants can suffer from burns, which can be extremely serious and require long-term medical treatment.
• Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims of drunk driving accidents often experience psychological trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

It’s important to note that the severity and types of injuries can vary greatly depending on the specifics of the accident, such as the speed at impact, the size of the vehicles involved, and whether seat belts or airbags were used. Regardless of the specifics, drunk driving poses a significant risk to all road users, often resulting in tragic consequences.

Whatever your injuries, a drunk driving accident lawyer at Oliver Law Firm can help determine the full value of your claim. Our firm has helped clients across Arkansas obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. We know the tactics insurance companies use to deny, delay, and devalue accident claims. We fight for the maximum compensation our clients deserve and we don’t back down from a fight.

Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents

At Oliver Law Firm, we deeply understand the devastating impact that losing a loved one in a drunk driving accident can have on a family. In these moments of profound sorrow and confusion, it’s important to know that there are legal avenues available to seek justice and support. A wrongful death claim is one such path.

A wrongful death claim is a legal action brought forward when someone loses their life due to the negligence or misconduct of another party, such as a drunk driver. This type of claim seeks to provide financial compensation for the losses incurred by the bereaved family. These losses can include:

• Funeral and Burial Expenses
• Lost Income
• Potential Earnings the Deceased Would Have Provided
• Medical Bills Related to The Accident
• Loss of Companionship, Guidance, and Emotional Support

Filing a wrongful death claim is not just about seeking financial redress. It’s also about holding the responsible party accountable for their actions and bringing a sense of justice to the family. 

At Oliver Law Firm, we are committed to guiding you through this complex and emotional legal process with sensitivity, respect, and unwavering support.

Our experienced team will handle every aspect of your case with the utmost care, allowing you and your family the space to grieve and heal. We believe in fighting for the rights of our clients to ensure they receive the fair compensation they deserve during such a challenging time. If you are facing the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one due to a drunk driving accident, know that Oliver Law Firm is here to stand by your side and help you through this.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk driving accident in Arkansas, it’s crucial to act swiftly. For both injury and wrongful death claims, Arkansas law typically allows a window of three years for filing a lawsuit (see Arkansas Codes § 16-56-105 and § 16-62-102). Given the complexities and numerous factors that can affect these time limits, it is important for you to speak with an Arkansas drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible. Not only is in key to obtaining justice in your case, but prompt legal action can help you avoid financial hardships that may arise as a result of your injuries.

Speak with a Rogers Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for FREE

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, the Oliver Law Firm can help. Our experienced attorneys can provide you with the compassionate support and strong legal representation you deserve.

We understand that no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss and pain caused by a drunk driver, but we are here to help ease the financial burden and hold the responsible parties accountable. Let us take on the legal challenges while you focus on healing and moving forward.

Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at (479) 202-5200 today for a FREE case evaluation. Our drunk driving accident lawyers welcome clients from We help clients across Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR. Do not delay; the clock may already be ticking on your case.