Understanding Your Legal Options After a Drunk Driving Accident in Arizona
What Victims Need to Know to Protect Their Rights and Demand Justice
When a drunk driver chooses to get behind the wheel, they put everyone on the road at risk. And when that choice results in a crash, the consequences for victims can be devastating—serious injuries, financial stress, and emotional trauma that lasts long after the wreck.
In Arizona, you have the right to take legal action against a drunk driver who caused your crash. But even when liability seems obvious, insurance companies and defense attorneys are quick to create doubt, deflect blame, and push for lowball settlements. That’s where Browne Law Group steps in.
We don’t deal in excuses, and we don’t let insurance companies call the shots. If you were injured by a drunk driver, here’s how an Arizona drunk driving accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Arizona Has Strict Laws Against Drunk Driving
Arizona has long taken a hard stance on impaired driving. Under state law, a driver is considered legally impaired with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. But even drivers under the legal limit can be charged if they show signs of impairment.
In fact, Arizona is one of the few states that enforces a zero-tolerance policy for DUI involving illegal drugs or drivers under 21. Despite this tough legal climate, drunk drivers continue to cause devastating crashes across Maricopa County—especially in and around Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, and Phoenix.
When a drunk driver causes a crash that injures someone, they can face not only criminal penalties but also civil liability. That means you can sue the at-fault driver for damages even if they’re also facing DUI charges in court.
You Can File a Civil Claim in Addition to Criminal Charges
Many people assume that if the drunk driver is arrested or convicted, the legal system will automatically take care of things. But criminal charges do not pay your medical bills or cover your lost income. A separate civil claim is necessary to seek full compensation for your injuries.
In a civil case, you can pursue compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Follow-up care, surgery, or physical therapy
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You may also be able to seek punitive damages in certain cases. These are meant to punish the drunk driver for extreme misconduct and discourage others from doing the same.
Insurance Companies Don’t Make It Easy for Drunk Driving Victims
It might sound straightforward: a drunk driver hit you, they’re clearly at fault, and their insurance should pay. But too often, victims find themselves facing the same frustrating tactics:
- The drunk driver denies being impaired
- The insurance company questions the extent of your injuries
- Adjusters look for ways to blame you for the crash
- They offer a quick, lowball settlement before you’ve finished treatment
Attorney Byron Browne has seen it all—and he’s not here to play nice with the insurance company. His no-B.S. approach means getting right to the point: you were hurt, it wasn’t your fault, and you deserve real compensation.
Proving Impairment and Liability After a Drunk Driving Crash
Even when a driver is arrested for DUI, that doesn’t automatically guarantee success in your injury claim. You’ll still need to prove that their impairment caused the crash and that their insurance (or another party) is responsible for covering your damages.
At Browne Law Group, we build tough cases by digging into the evidence:
- Police crash reports and DUI arrest records
- Field sobriety and toxicology test results
- Video footage from traffic cameras or nearby businesses
- Witness statements
- Medical records linking your injuries to the crash
- Expert testimony, if needed
We leave no stone unturned because that’s what it takes to hold drunk drivers accountable—and to shut down the insurance company’s excuses before they even start.
Can a Bar or Restaurant Also Be Held Responsible?
Yes—Arizona has a dram shop law that allows victims to hold bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments liable under certain conditions. To pursue a dram shop claim, your attorney must prove:
- The establishment knowingly served alcohol to a person who was obviously intoxicated,
or - They served alcohol to a minor under age 21
If the drunk driver who hit you was overserved at a bar or restaurant, and that intoxication led to the crash, you may be able to recover additional compensation from that business’s liability insurance. These claims require prompt investigation, so it’s important to contact an attorney as early as possible.
What If You Were Hit by a Drunk Driver With No Insurance?
Unfortunately, many DUI offenders are also uninsured or underinsured. In those cases, you still have legal options:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: If you carry this type of insurance, it can cover your injuries if the drunk driver’s policy doesn’t go far enough.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: You can sue the driver directly, though collecting on a judgment depends on their assets.
- Dram Shop Liability: As mentioned, a bar or restaurant that overserved the driver may be held accountable if applicable.
- Other Third-Party Liability: If a rideshare service or delivery company was involved, there may be additional coverage available.
Our team will analyze every possible path forward and fight for the full amount you’re entitled to.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Arizona
After any serious crash, your focus should be on your health. But taking the right steps can also protect your ability to file a strong injury claim:
- Call 911 and request emergency help. Police should investigate and document any signs of impairment.
- Tell the officer if you suspect alcohol was involved. Breath tests, field sobriety exams, and bodycam footage can all become vital evidence.
- Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, you may have internal injuries or a concussion.
- Gather names and contact info for any witnesses.
- Don’t speak to the insurance company without a lawyer. They’re not on your side—your attorney is.
Browne Law Group will handle the legal details so you can focus on healing.
Why Drunk Driving Victims Deserve More Than a Settlement
Most insurance companies treat drunk driving accidents like any other claim—assign a case number, calculate medical bills, and offer a payout based on a formula. But what they ignore is the human impact.
Drunk driving isn’t just negligence—it’s a choice. A decision to get behind the wheel knowing full well the risks. And when someone gets hurt because of that decision, the damage is more than physical. Victims live with fear, anger, and anxiety. They miss birthdays, lose wages, suffer through sleepless nights, and undergo surgeries—all because someone else thought the rules didn’t apply to them.
At Browne Law Group, we don’t reduce your trauma to a spreadsheet. We tell your story—clearly, forcefully, and without apology. Because you’re not just seeking compensation. You’re demanding accountability.
We’ve seen how one crash can ripple through a family, and we never let the other side forget it.
$2.75 Million Settlement — How We Fought for a Drunk Driving Victim and Won
Attorney Byron Browne knows what it takes to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies after a DUI crash—and win. In one case, our client was hit and seriously injured by a drunk driver.
We didn’t back down. We got to work, built a rock-solid case, and ultimately secured a $2.75 million settlement to help our client rebuild their life.
This is the kind of outcome we fight for every day.
No Bull. No Nonsense. Just Results.
If a drunk driver turned your life upside down, you don’t need apologies—you need action. At Browne Law Group, we bring the fight to the insurance company and demand full compensation for what you’ve been through.
We’re proud to serve Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, and the greater Phoenix area with aggressive legal representation that gets results. Let us take on the legal stress while you focus on recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
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