In Louisville, Kentucky
Peterson Law Office is ready to fight on your behalf if you've been seriously injured due to a driver who was intoxicated behind the wheel.
It's Time to Hold the Driver Accountable
Drunk and drugged driving continues to be a serious problem in Louisville. Each year, thousands of collisions occur on city streets and highways, and a high number involve impaired drivers. These crashes can cause severe injuries that require ongoing care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.
If a drunk driver has injured you, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. At Peterson Law Office, we are ready to fight for you. Our experienced Louisville drunk driving lawyer is here to give you space to focus on your recovery while making sure your rights and financial needs are protected after these serious car crashes.
Louisville takes impaired driving seriously. You might see our local law enforcement and city programs working hard to keep roads safe through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns. You have probably seen sobriety checkpoints set up around busy areas, especially on weekends or during holidays.
Local police increase patrols late at night and target areas with higher rates of DUI incidents.
Educational campaigns and community programs also raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, from schools to bars and restaurants. Despite these efforts, impaired drivers still end up on the road. Crashes can happen in an instant, anywhere, from I-65 during rush hour to a side street in Old Louisville or a quiet residential neighborhood at 2 a.m.
Unfortunately, responsible drivers cannot always avoid a collision when someone else makes reckless or impaired choices.
While Louisville’s initiatives make some roads safer, they cannot prevent every drunk driving accident.
When a crash does happen, having a Louisville drunk driving lawyer who knows local enforcement patterns and Kentucky DUI laws can make a difference in holding the responsible driver accountable and getting the compensation your family deserves.
Drunk drivers don’t just make mistakes; they make dangerous, preventable choices. Alcohol impairs reaction time, judgment, and coordination. Unfortunately, this can turn a small traffic misstep into a life-altering accident. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 2,117 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2023.
Victims often face injuries that affect every aspect of life. A traumatic brain injury makes remembering names or managing daily tasks a challenge. Spinal cord injuries often require mobility aids, home modifications, and full-time care.
Broken bones or internal injuries may mean months of rehab and multiple surgeries. And the emotional strain can be just as difficult, with sleep disturbances, flashbacks, and anxiety accompanying physical recovery. Even “minor” crashes caused by impaired drivers can leave lasting consequences.
The key is understanding the full impact of the injuries, both immediate and long-term, so compensation reflects the real needs of you and your family.
The drunk driver is often at fault, but in Louisville, liability does not always end there. Depending on the situation, bars, restaurants, employers, or vehicle owners may also share responsibility.
When someone makes the reckless choice to drive drunk, they are the primary party responsible.
However, Kentucky law recognizes that others can contribute to the danger. For example, under the state’s dram shop laws, a bartender, restaurant, or social host may be held accountable if they knowingly serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated or to a minor.
Vehicle owners can also face liability if they allow an intoxicated friend or family member to borrow their car. Employers may share responsibility if the driver was drinking at a company event or if the driver was performing work duties while impaired. Rideshare or delivery companies could be pulled into a case if they failed to screen or monitor an employee with a known history of DUI offenses.
Often, drunk driving crashes rarely have a single cause. They are the result of a chain of poor decisions, such as a bar that continued to serve, an employer who looked the other way, or a driver who thought “just one more drink” would not harm them.
When we investigate every angle, our Louisville drunk driving accident lawyer can identify all responsible parties.
This can open up additional sources of compensation and make sure your family is not left struggling with the financial fallout of someone else’s reckless choices.
A criminal DUI case punishes the drunk driver, but it does not pay your medical bills or compensate you for what you have lost. A civil case is separate, and it is here that victims and families can pursue financial recovery.
When a driver is arrested for DUI in Louisville, the state handles the criminal case. At this stage, prosecutors bring charges like DUI or vehicular assault. If convicted, the driver may face jail time, fines, license suspension, or mandatory treatment. These penalties are designed to punish the offender and protect the public. However, they do not do anything to cover your hospital bills, lost income, or long-term care costs.
That’s where you can proceed with a civil case. A civil claim or lawsuit is separate from the criminal proceedings. It is focused on your recovery, not punishment. Through a civil case, you can hold the drunk driver, and potentially other responsible parties, financially accountable for the harm they have caused.
Many people assume they have to wait until the criminal case ends before they can pursue compensation. That’s not true. In most situations, your civil lawyer can start investigating and building your case right away, even while the criminal matter is still pending.
In fact, evidence uncovered in the criminal case can often help strengthen your civil claim.
By working with a Louisville drunk driving accident lawyer, you gain an advocate who understands how the two systems intersect. They will make sure your rights are protected in both arenas, keep track of deadlines, and fight to secure the compensation your family needs to rebuild.
At Peterson Law Office, we understand that car accidents can leave victims with a lifetime of medical bills, pain, and suffering. If you've suffered from a serious injury, you may be owed compensation for your damages.
If a drunk driver has hurt you, compensation is a tool to help you rebuild your life. It can cover:
It can help replace lost wages if you’re out of work or compensate for reduced earning capacity if your career is affected. Pain and suffering, including emotional trauma, are also part of what you can recover.
In extreme cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish especially reckless behavior and deter others from making the same choice. In your injury case, you want to make sure compensation covers both your current needs and long-term care, so you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses while focusing on recovery.
Being injured by a drunk driver is scary, exhausting, and life changing.
At Peterson Law Office, we are here to make sure you hold these negligent drivers accountable for their actions. Our Louisville drunk driving injury lawyer can help you understand your options and pursue fair compensation for your case.
Reach out today for a consultation.
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If you have any questions about a potential personal injury claim, call us or fill out the form below to schedule a free, confidential case consultation.
(859) 559-4160
