Did you drive, and end up in a car accident? You are not the first driver in this situation. In 2017 alone, 141 crashes involved alcohol consumption. They took three lives and caused injuries to 79 people. Although cases like yours are frequent, you should protect your interests by consulting a car accident attorney in Chandler. This is especially true if the accident was not your fault. 

In theory, it should not matter how much you drank as long as you follow traffic rules. The party at fault (their insurer) should cover the damages. In practice, drinking and driving is a violation of traffic rules in itself. Moreover, Arizona is one of the states that apply the shared fault principle. 

Shared Fault and DUI in Arizona or Why Work with a Chandler Car Accident Attorney

This means that all the parties involved in an accident can share responsibility for it. Each party will cover the damages corresponding to their fault percentage. The burden of proof falls on the victims claiming compensation or their car accident attorneys. 

If you want to seek compensation for your losses, you will have to prove that the party at fault: 

• Owed you a duty of care (to follow traffic rules and drive carefully)
• They breached their duty of care (they violated traffic rules)
• Their actions lead to the accident and the damages you incurred

This may seem easy, but it won’t be, at least not without the help of a Chandler auto accident lawyer. Whether you sue the party at fault or file a claim with their insurer, their interest is to avoid paying. To succeed, they will likely try to blame you for the accident. 

Since the police accident report shows you have been drinking, they will have an easy job. After all, you owed traffic participants a duty of care (not to drive under the influence) that you breached. Whether or not your breach of duty caused the accident is less important. 

They could claim that, had you not been impaired, you could have reacted faster to avoid the accident. This makes you partly at fault for the accident and its consequences. It also means that you risk losing more than the applicable penalties for impaired driving.

Besides having to prove the liability of the other party, you will also need to prove your own innocence. In doing so, you will have to follow endless formalities, fill in paperwork, and deal with slick attorneys. 

On your own, you are lost. With a Chandler car accident attorney on your side, your chances will increase considerably. 

How Can a Chandler Car Accident Lawyer Help You Get Compensation Despite Your DUI? 

If you give them a chance, your auto accident attorney will find a way to show that:  

• The BAC tests were inconclusive or your level of intoxication was insignificant
• The police officer or the medical personnel who tested your BAC level did not follow protocol
• The accident was impossible to avoid and your level of intoxication was not an impediment
• The damages you incurred were huge and you should recover at least part of them.

In order to succeed, they will conduct their own investigations, interview witnesses, and use case precedents. Of course, their success will depend on how early they start work on the case and the case circumstances. 

As a general rule, the sooner they take over the case, the more time they will have to gather evidence. They will have an easier time defending your interests if your BAC level was low. The behavior of the party at fault will matter as well. 

One thing is certain: the best way to find out where you stand is to consult a car accident lawyer. To increase your chances of obtaining compensation, you should do that as soon as possible. 

Schedule a Complimentary Case Review with a Chandler Auto Accident Attorney Now!

Would you like to discuss your case with one of the best car accident lawyers in Chandler, AZ? At Warnock MacKinlay law, it will not cost you anything! All you have to do is call 480-757-3211 and make an appointment. 

At the agreed date and time, our Chandler car accident lawyer will be ready to answer your questions. They will analyze your case details, tell you what to expect, and recommend the best strategy. If you let them, they will take over all hassles and seek compensation on your behalf. If not, you can drop the claim or try your luck on your own. Either way, you have nothing to lose.