Talking about suing drunk drivers is like talking about eating ice cream. Defending a drunk driver is certainly a lot less fun. There are plenty of advice programs for defense of criminal cases involving drunk driving. Most of it applies to the civil case too. Bringing the case for an injured plaintiff is not as easy as it may look by the results some personal injury lawyers have gotten. I am going to discuss some of the techniques I have used in some of my drunk driving accident cases and share with you some of what I have learned by handling these cases.
When analyzing and presenting automobile accident cases, driver conduct is always an issue. Where the driver of the adverse vehicle has been drinking or was drunk there are additional issues not part of the ordinary accident case. The criminal case begins at the time of the accident investigation by the police when the defendant is arrested. When you are retained the criminal case is already underway and you must act promptly and aggressively to protect your client’s rights or the opportunity will have been lost.
Victims rights are now recognized. Two years ago the legislature passed a new statute requiring officials in the criminal justice system to advise victims of their statutory rights.
There is nothing improper in your speaking up on behalf of your client in the DUI prosecution. Your client has the right to be heard on several important issues