Former State Lawmaker Arrested for DUI in Rhea County
Former Tennessee State Representative Jim Cobb, who once represented Rhea County, has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Recently, an arrest report from the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department states that officers pulled over a white Ford 150 truck who was swerving in and out of lanes, heading into the wrong lane several times, and running completely off the road once. The police report noted that the driver, Cobb, allegedly had slurred speech. He failed the field sobriety test, and was then placed into police custody and charged with a DUI.
Drunk Driving- Not Just A Crime
Like every other state, drunk driving in Tennessee is a crime. However, what happens to drunk drivers outside of the criminal justice system? Injuries and property damage caused by drunk driving are very frequently the subject of civil suits. This results in civil liability if a lawsuit is launched by a drunk driver’s victim. If you or a loved one is injured or killed by a drunk driver, the criminal system will not recover damages for your losses or costs in medical bills.
Tennessee is “at fault” state when it comes to car accidents, meaning that generally the at-fault driver must pay for damages resulting from a car accident. This means that a victim may sue a drunk driver for both compensatory damages (compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other losses), as well as punitive damages. Punitive damages are damages that are awarded in addition to other damages solely to punish the bad actor. They grant significantly higher awards to victims, and are meant to deter others from criminal acts.
Liability of Bar Owners
Additionally, sometimes it is possible to identify other liable parties in addition to the drunk driver. Other responsible parties may be bars, taverns, and restaurants that irresponsibly served alcohol to someone. Tennessee law also permits you to sue a bar that over-served a drunk driver if you can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they served alcoholic beverages to a visibly intoxicated person.
Nashville Drunk Driving/DUI Accident Lawyers
When you are hit by a drunk or impaired driver, there are still many hurdles to overcome before you can receive compensation for your injuries. You must still be able to prove all the facts regarding the driver’s fault for causing the accident and the extent of your injuries, while fending off attacks from the insurance company trying to avoid liability by pinning some of the blame for the crash on you. It is still crucial to obtain the advice and representation of lawyers who know how to navigate cases like this. At Calhoun Law, PLC, we will investigate your case thoroughly to hold all parties accountable. If you have been hit by a drunk driver, contact us in Nashville today so that we can ensure that you and your loved ones are properly compensated for your injuries.
