A crash with a drunk driver not only brings physical injuries but also financial burdens such as medical bills and lost income. The financial impact alone can stretch on for months or even years after the crash itself.
In 2023, alcohol-impaired crashes killed 12,429 people across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That adds up to about one death every 42 minutes. This post will examine the compensation you may be entitled to.
What compensatory damages could cover
Compensatory damages address the losses a drunk driving crash can cause. The law divides these damages into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover financial losses you can prove with bills or records. They often include emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and future medical care.
Non-economic damages address harm that does not have a clear price tag. These often include physical pain, emotional distress and the overall impact the injuries have on daily life.
Why punitive damages may change the equation
Connecticut courts may award punitive damages when a defendant shows reckless disregard for the safety of others. Driving under the influence often meets that standard because it involves a knowing choice to drive while impaired.
State law typically limits common law punitive damages to litigation costs such as attorney fees. Drunk driving victims, however, have a stronger remedy. If a driver’s intoxication shows reckless disregard for safety, the court may double or even triple the total compensation. This statute holds impaired drivers to greater accountability.
How dram shop liability could expand your options
Connecticut’s Dram Shop Act allows victims to pursue a claim against the business that served the driver. Under this law, a bar, restaurant or liquor store that sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person may share responsibility if that person later causes harm.
There are, however, strict procedural rules for these claims. Connecticut caps dram shop damages at $250,000 per event, regardless of how many people were injured. This claim is separate from a personal injury suit against the driver, meaning both may contribute to your overall recovery.
You must also provide the establishment with a formal written notice of your intent to sue within 120 days of the accident, or 180 days if the incident resulted in death or incapacity. Furthermore, while most personal injury lawsuits in the state have a two-year window, you must officially file a lawsuit under the Dram Shop Act in court within one year of the date when the establishment sold the alcohol.
