Suing a Drunk Driver for a Storefront Crash in Baltimore

There is virtually no way of escaping drunk drivers. Even if you are enjoying a meal in a restaurant, a drunk driver could smash through the storefront at any moment. You might be enjoying a relaxing day at your local spa when a pickup truck barrels through the front windows. Drunk drivers can strike when you least expect it – even when you’re far away from a road. Can you sue a drunk driver for a storefront crash in Baltimore?

Why Are Intoxicated Individuals More Likely to Cause Storefront Crashes? 

Drivers are more likely to cause storefront crashes when they are intoxicated. The classic mistake is to slam on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal when starting the engine. This causes the vehicle to surge forward and straight into storefronts. This issue is particularly prevalent in strip mall parking lots and similar areas.

In other situations, drunk drivers may veer off roads at high speeds before impacting storefronts. These kinds of crashes are more common in urban areas, including downtown Baltimore. Often, intoxicated drivers crash during police pursuits. This not only puts pedestrians in danger, but it also threatens people inside stores.

Can I Sue a Drunk Driver for Causing My Storefront Crash? 

Yes, it is possible to hold a drunk driver liable for causing your storefront crash in Baltimore. However, this requires you to prove that the driver was negligent – and this process is not always easy. As the accuser, you carry the “burden of proof.” In a civil case, this burden is a “preponderance of evidence.” In other words, you need to show that there is a more than 50% likelihood that the driver’s negligence led to your injuries.

You can accomplish this goal in various ways. One option is to ask police officers to testify on your behalf. These officers may have tested the drunk driver’s intoxication levels, and they may have observed obvious signs of intoxication. You might also point to pictures from the crash scene. Perhaps the wrecked vehicle was filled with empty liquor bottles.

It may not be necessary to prove that the driver was intoxicated. You might only need to show the driver was reckless, or that they violated traffic laws before the crash. When a motorist crashes into a storefront, this is an obvious example of reckless driving. Their fault is self-evident, and you could recover compensation simply by showing footage from a nearby surveillance camera.

Can a Storefront Crash Attorney in Baltimore Help? 

A Baltimore car accident lawyer may be able to help injured victims after devastating accidents. Intoxication may have been a contributing factor in your storefront crash, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you prove that the driver was drunk. There are many other potential forms of negligence to explore, including distraction or traffic violations. Call Furman Honick Law today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.

Sources: 

cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/vehicle-crashes-into-whole-foods-market-in-baltimores-harbor-east/

wbaltv.com/article/police-search-suspects-failed-smash-n-grab-robbery-caught-on-surveillance/60996941