Injured by a drunk driver in North Carolina? You’re not alone—and you have rights. Drunk driving crashes often lead to serious injuries, emotional trauma, lost wages, and long-term medical expenses. While criminal charges may punish the offender, they won’t pay your bills or repair your quality of life. That’s why it’s critical to understand your legal rights and take action. At Wayne Hardee Law, we help victims pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.
In North Carolina, driving while impaired (DWI) is a criminal offense, and offenders can face jail time, fines, and license suspension. But criminal charges alone don’t pay your medical bills or make up for the pain you’ve endured. That’s where civil law comes in. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you have the right to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your losses. This can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages in some cases.
Understanding your legal rights after a drunk driving accident is crucial. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the sooner they can begin preserving evidence, contacting witnesses, and holding the impaired driver accountable in court. In many cases, the at-fault driver’s intoxication can strengthen your claim. Juries and judges tend to take these cases seriously, especially when the evidence of impairment is clear and the injuries are severe.
Additionally, drunk driving crashes often involve more than just the driver. Under North Carolina’s dram shop laws, a bar or restaurant may be held partially liable if they served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated and that person later caused an accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can explore whether third-party liability applies in your case, potentially increasing the compensation available to you.
At Wayne Hardee Law, we know how to build strong cases around impaired driving. With more than 40 years of experience in Eastern North Carolina, Wayne and his team fight to hold drunk drivers accountable—not just for our clients, but to make our roads safer for everyone.
Injured victims are often overwhelmed by insurance companies after a crash. Adjusters may call soon after the accident, offering a quick settlement that doesn’t cover your long-term needs. Don’t accept anything until you’ve talked to a lawyer. You are not required to give a recorded statement or accept a lowball offer. As the victim, your legal rights after a drunk driving accident include pursuing full and fair compensation—not just what the insurance company wants to offer.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 13,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2021 alone. These aren’t just statistics—they’re families torn apart, lives forever changed, and communities grieving losses that were completely preventable. Filing a personal injury claim isn’t just about money—it’s about justice.
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident, don’t delay. North Carolina law typically gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but the sooner you act, the better your chances of securing strong evidence and full recovery. At Wayne Hardee Law, we’re ready to guide you through every step of the process—investigating your case, negotiating with insurance companies, and taking your fight to court if necessary.
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver in North Carolina, you may also be eligible for punitive damages, which are meant to punish reckless behavior and deter future wrongdoing. These are separate from compensation for medical costs or lost income and are only awarded in particularly egregious cases—like drunk driving. A skilled attorney can help determine if your case qualifies and pursue the maximum financial recovery available to you.
Legal rights after a drunk driving accident are your protection against injustice. You didn’t choose to be harmed—but you can choose to fight back. Let our team stand by your side and make sure your voice is heard.
