One of the reasons that Colorado can be such an attractive place to visit and live isn’t just about the natural splendor and outdoor activities. Colorado lays claim to over 432 breweries and 520 legal cannabis dispensaries, as well as thousands of bars. These businesses are popular with tourists and residents, creating good memories for everyone involved.
However, having a good time can quickly turn fatal if someone leaves one of these locations and decides to get behind the wheel after becoming inebriated. The effect of one individual’s decision to drive drunk or high can ripple throughout a family for years to come.
So if this situation sounds all too familiar and you’re facing the aftermath of a Denver DUI-related accident, we want to say that we are so sorry for what you are experiencing.
At Dulin McQuinn Young, we know what it takes to bring justice in a DUI case. Our Denver auto accident lawyers will ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation Denver DUI accident consultation and case review.
What Is A DUI?
A DUI is a criminal traffic offense for driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In all states, if individuals drive while having exceeded the set blood alcohol content (BAC) limit and/or are under the influence of drugs, they will be charged with a DUI if caught.
In Colorado, there are two tiers of charges for when someone is driving while inebriated.
- Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI): a DWAI is when an individual is found to be driving with a BAC of 0.05 to 0.08. This individual would be considered impaired “to the slightest degree so that the person is less able to drive.”
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): a DUI is when an individual operates a motor vehicle with a BAC content of 0.08 or more or a blood content of five nanograms or more THC per milliliter of blood.
In every state except Utah, the BAC of a variant of a DUI charge is 0.08. Colorado is no different.
The Effect Of DUIs On Denver’s Resident’s Lives
While it’s commonly accepted that the right thing to do after a night of drinking or cannabis use is to get a ride home, that’s sadly not what everyone does. The impact of that decision hurts people and tears a victim’s family apart forever.
For instance, in 2022, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) found that 36.56% of all crashes involved impaired driving, which resulted in 278 fatalities of those involved in accidents. In Denver county during the same period, 67 people were killed in fatal accidents involving DUI charges, with 21 deaths attributable to driving under the influence of a substance.
Even if a DUI accident didn’t cause a fatality but an injury, a victim’s life can be forever changed due to a negligent and selfish driver’s decision to drive while inebriated.
There were 1,990 crashes involving injuries in which one of the vehicle operators was convicted of DUI, with five occurring in Denver county.
Why Would I Bring A Civil Case If There’s Already A Criminal Proceeding For My DUI-Related Accident in Denver?
The criminal proceeding potentially facing the perpetrator of the DUI-related accident will seek to punish the individual for their wrongdoing. While this is satisfying and the correct conclusion of the criminal justice system in America, it does very little to make the wronged party and their family whole again.
Individuals can be facing a litany of medical bills, lost wages, disability-related costs, and, in a worst-case scenario, funeral expenses due to an individual’s decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Therefore, the victim or their family may bring legal action against the perpetrator to recover some of these damages. Additionally, individuals may choose to bring suit against an organization or group of people who overserved the driver under Colorado’s dram shop laws.
Dram Shop Laws In Colorado
A victim of a drunk driving accident or their family can also file a lawsuit against an organization that provides or serves alcohol if certain conditions are met.
Here are the specific conditions that contribute to Colorado’s dram shop laws under CRS 12-47-801:
- The individual who was charged with the DUI was visibly and noticeably intoxicated and/or
- The individual was under 21 and was served anyway
If either of these conditions is met, a victim or their family could be eligible to hold the business liable for the injury or death of those involved in this accident.
Statute Of Limitations In DUI Accident Cases in Denver
Because the DUI involves a motor vehicle in Colorado, victims, and their families have three years to file a case.
Our team of Denver drunk driving accident lawyers always recommends DUI accident victims not delay when assembling their vehicle accident cases. If you delay too long, evidence of what happened may be lost or destroyed, making it much more difficult to win your case.
Dulin McQuinn Young Is Tough On Drunk And Intoxicated Drivers
We think it’s unacceptable for individuals to be driving impaired and risking other Coloradans’ lives in pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and bicycle accidents. With the many options out there to get a ride, there’s no excuse for someone driving drunk or high.
That’s why in DUI cases, we always make it our priority to recover the maximum possible compensation possible to offset some of the pain and suffering you may have experienced. With winning millions in successful verdicts and settlements for clients, we’re confident we can do the same for your Denver DUI case.
The team of experienced Denver personal injury lawyers at Dulin McQuinn Young understands the complexities of DUI cases and can provide you with the legal advice and representation you need. Our legal team will work hard to ensure that your case gets the attention it deserves and that all your rights are protected. And we’re ready to get to work.
Contact our Denver drunk driving accident attorneys today to request your free, no-obligation DUI accident case review.