Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in all states and Colorado is no exception. According to the National College for DUI Defense, in Colorado, a driver is considered “under the influence” when their blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher, however, a driver can be charged with DUI even if their BAC is less than the legal limit.
Colorado’s DUI law is not limited to alcohol; it is unlawful for people to drive while under the influence of illegal drugs, lawfully prescribed medications, or alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. Someone can be convicted of DUI in Colorado as long as the state can prove the person was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and it impaired their ability to drive, even to the slightest degree.
Hit By a Drunk or Drugged Driver?
If you were hit by a drunk or drugged driver, there’s a very good chance that law enforcement arrived on the scene and the at-fault driver was arrested and charged with DUI. If there is a pending criminal case against the impaired driver, you may be wondering about your rights. “Can I still file a personal injury claim if the drunk driver is facing DUI charges?” is a question a lot of DUI accident victims ask.
The answer to the above question is, “Yes, absolutely.” If you were injured in a drunk or drugged driving accident and the at-fault driver is currently facing criminal charges for breaking Colorado’s DUI law, there is nothing stopping you from filing a separate personal injury case against the impaired driver. It is okay to file a claim even though the defendant is being prosecuted for DUI.
“Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 50 minutes. These deaths have fallen by a third in the last three decades; however, drunk-driving crashes claim more than 10,000 lives per year. In 2010, the most recent year for which cost data is available, these deaths and damages contributed to a cost of $44 billion that year,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Next: Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Colorado
Injured by a drunk or drugged driver? Contact my firm to file a claim for compensation!