A collision caused by an impaired driver can leave victims with severe injuries while a criminal prosecution unfolds at the same time. The criminal case is brought by the state to address the driver's conduct. The injured person's civil claim is separate and focuses on compensation for the medical, financial, and personal harm caused by the crash.
At The Oakes Firm, a DUI accident lawyer in South Jersey monitors the criminal proceeding, preserves evidence developed through the investigation, and builds the civil case independently. We pursue accountability from the impaired driver and examine whether any other person or business may share responsibility.
Why Choose Our South Jersey DUI Accident Lawyers?
Whether you need a South Jersey DUI accident attorney or a personal injury lawyer in South Jersey, our approach is evidence-driven, client-focused, and prepared for litigation.
We track the criminal matter without allowing it to delay or replace the work required to prove the civil claim.
We seek police reports, body-camera footage, witness statements, crash-scene evidence, chemical-test information, field sobriety records, and available video.
We document immediate treatment, future care, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the ways the injuries have changed daily life.
Even when intoxication makes the driver's conduct difficult to defend, insurers may still challenge causation, the extent of the injuries, or the value of the claim. We prepare to answer those arguments with evidence.
Criminal Charges and the Civil Injury Claim
A criminal conviction or guilty plea may provide important evidence, but it does not automatically compensate the people injured in the crash. A civil case must still establish liability, connect the collision to the claimed injuries, and prove the amount of damages.
Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include the impaired driver, a vehicle owner who negligently entrusted the vehicle, an employer whose worker was acting within the scope of employment, or an alcohol-serving establishment in circumstances recognized by New Jersey law. We investigate the full chain of events rather than stopping with the driver alone.
Compensation Available After an Impaired-Driving Crash
Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, therapy, and reasonably anticipated future treatment.
Wages lost during recovery and any reduction in future earning capacity caused by lasting restrictions.
The cost to repair or replace the vehicle and other damaged personal property.
Physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.
When an impaired-driving crash is fatal, eligible family members and the estate may have claims for the losses caused by the death.
Your Rights After a DUI Accident in South Jersey
A car accident lawyer in New Jersey can review the available insurance, explain the civil process, and evaluate any early settlement offer. You are not required to accept an offer before the full extent of the injuries and future care needs are known, and you may pursue litigation when an insurer refuses to value the claim fairly.
Does the Driver’s DUI Conviction Cover My Medical Expenses?
No. A criminal conviction penalizes the driver through fines or jail time, but it does not award damages to the victim. You must file a separate civil claim to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and physical therapy.
Steps to Take After a DUI Accident
Get evaluated promptly, even if symptoms initially seem manageable. Some injuries worsen or become apparent over time.
Make sure law enforcement responds and creates an official record of the collision and suspected impairment.
Take photographs and video, gather witness information, and retain medical, repair, towing, and wage-loss documentation.
Before discussing fault or injuries with an insurer, obtain legal advice about your rights and obligations.
If the crash occurred in or near Pennsauken, a Pennsauken car accident lawyer can move quickly to investigate the scene, identify available video, and preserve local evidence before it disappears.
Contact The Oakes Firm for a free consultation with a South Jersey DUI accident attorney. We will review the collision, explain your options, and begin building the claim without charging an upfront legal fee.