Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Athens

Over 30 Years Fighting for Crash Victims in Athens, AL

When a drunk driver causes a crash, the victims face something different from an ordinary accident: an injury caused by someone who made a deliberate choice to drive impaired. At Shipman & Associates, P.C., we handle drunk driving accident claims for injured victims in Athens, Alabama and throughout the Tennessee Valley. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and civil litigation, which means every resource we have is directed toward cases like yours.

We’ve practiced in Athens for over 30 years, and our documented auto accident results include a $1,375,000 recovery and a $1,400,000 wrongful death recovery. Past results don’t guarantee a specific outcome in your case, but they reflect the seriousness with which we approach every claim. Consultations are free, and we work on a contingency fee basis: no legal fees unless we secure a recovery for you.

If you or a family member was injured by a drunk driver in the Athens area, call us at (256) 277-9117 to speak with our team at no cost and no obligation.

Civil Claims Run Parallel to Criminal Charges

A drunk driver arrested after a crash will likely face criminal DUI charges under Ala. Code § 32-5A-191, which sets the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit at 0.08 g/dL for most drivers. That criminal case and your civil personal injury claim are entirely separate proceedings. You don’t have to wait for the criminal case to conclude before pursuing compensation.

The standards also differ significantly. A criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt; a civil claim requires only a preponderance of the evidence, meaning the driver’s impairment more likely than not caused your injuries. This lower burden can work in a victim’s favor. Evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, including police reports, field sobriety test results, Breathalyzer readings, and toxicology results, can be used directly in the civil case. Whether the driver was convicted, accepted a plea, or the criminal case is still pending, you can move forward with your claim.

The Alabama Dram Shop Act & Third-Party Liability

The at-fault driver isn’t always the only party who bears responsibility. Alabama’s Dram Shop Act (Ala. Code § 6-5-71) allows an injured person to bring a civil claim against a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that knowingly served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron. To succeed, Alabama law requires showing that the establishment knew the patron was visibly intoxicated at the time of service and that the sale was the proximate cause of the injuries.

Beyond alcohol vendors, an employer may share liability if the driver was operating a vehicle within the scope of employment at the time of the crash under the respondeat superior doctrine. Identifying every potentially liable party matters: dram shop claims can bring additional insurance coverage into play beyond what the driver’s own auto policy provides. Surveillance footage, receipts, and witness accounts from the serving establishment are time-sensitive evidence, and preserving them requires prompt action after the crash.

Compensation Available in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Alabama law allows victims to pursue several categories of damages in these cases.

Economic Damages
Economic damages cover past and future medical expenses, lost income during recovery, reduced future earning capacity if a permanent disability results, vehicle and property damage, and out-of-pocket costs such as transportation to medical appointments.

Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of enjoyment of life, and, for a spouse, loss of consortium.

Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are specifically available in drunk driving cases. Under Ala. Code § 6-11-20, a court may award punitive damages when clear and convincing evidence shows the driver consciously or deliberately acted with wantonness or malice toward others. Because impaired driving is a willful choice, these cases may meet that threshold.

Alabama requires minimum auto liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage. Serious crashes often exhaust those limits quickly. Pursuing dram shop claims, employer liability, or underinsured motorist coverage may be necessary to seek full compensation.

Why Athens Victims Work With Shipman & Associates, P.C.

Insurance companies move quickly after a drunk driving crash, often attempting to minimize payouts despite a clear DUI arrest. Having a firm focused solely on personal injury handling all communications and negotiations can reduce the risk of accepting a settlement that doesn’t reflect the full value of your claim. Our client testimonials describe preparation that resulted in punitive damages awards and cross-examination that changed case outcomes.

We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That preparation can give us real leverage in settlement negotiations, because the insurer knows we won’t settle for less than what the case is worth. Our practice doesn’t span multiple unrelated legal areas: when you work with us, your drunk driving accident claim gets the full attention of a firm that does this and nothing else.

Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If a defendant can show you were even partially at fault, it can affect your ability to recover, which makes working with experienced attorneys who know how to build a well-documented claim from the start all the more important.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash in Athens

What you do in the days following a crash directly affects your ability to recover compensation. We provide every client with the Great Eight rules: a strategic guide built from decades of personal injury experience.

The Great Eight rules are:

• Tell the truth
• Get medical attention
• Be candid and honest with your doctor
• Follow your doctor’s orders
• Hire a lawyer
• Document lost time from work
• Talk to your insurance company
• Do not talk to the wrongdoer’s insurance company

At the scene, request that responding officers from the Athens Police Department, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, or Alabama Law Enforcement Agency document any suspicion of impairment so that field sobriety tests and Breathalyzer results appear in the official report. Seek medical attention promptly, even when injuries seem minor: concussions and internal injuries often present delayed symptoms. Keep copies of every medical bill, the police report, and photos of the scene and vehicle damage. A journal documenting daily symptoms and expenses can strengthen the civil claim considerably.

Alabama’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident under Ala. Code § 6-2-38. Waiting can reduce your ability to preserve critical evidence and build a complete case.

Talk to an Athens Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today

If a drunk driver injured you or killed a family member in Limestone County or anywhere in the Tennessee Valley, we’re ready to review what happened and can explain your options. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call Shipman & Associates, P.C. at (256) 277-9117 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.