Drunk Driving Accident Attorney In Chalmette

Legal Help After A Serious Drunk Driving Crash

When a drunk driver turns your life upside down, it is not an accident in the usual sense. Someone chose to get behind the wheel impaired, and you are the one now dealing with pain, bills, and an uncertain future. You may be wondering whether a drunk driving accident attorney Chalmette residents trust can actually make a difference for you.

At Tonry & Giraud, we represent people who have been hurt or lost a loved one because another driver chose to drink or use drugs and drive. Our attorneys are based here in Chalmette, and we have spent decades handling serious injury and wrongful death claims across Louisiana. We understand the local courts, insurers, and the pressures your family is facing.

With more than thirty years of personal injury practice, thousands of cases handled, and millions recovered for injured people and families, we know how to guide you through this difficult time. 

 Call us for a free consultation at (504) 470-0738 or send us a message to start protecting your rights now.

Why Choose Tonry & Giraud

When the crash involves alcohol or drugs, you are often dealing with both a criminal case against the impaired driver and a civil claim for your injuries. You need a firm that understands how these pieces fit together and that knows how to build a strong claim under Louisiana law. Our team has devoted more than three decades to personal injury and wrongful death work, including many cases that began with a single reckless choice to drive drunk.

Over the years, we have handled thousands of claims and recovered millions of dollars for clients facing medical bills, lost wages, and life-changing losses. That experience helps us evaluate the full impact of a drunk driving crash, from immediate hospital expenses to ongoing treatment and time away from work. It also means we are familiar with how insurers in this area approach impaired driving claims and the tactics they may use to limit what they pay.

We are not an out-of-town operation that occasionally appears in St. Bernard Parish. Tonry & Giraud is rooted in Chalmette, and our attorneys regularly handle matters in the 34th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Bernard and, when appropriate, in Orleans Parish Civil District Court. Our local presence supports a practical understanding of how cases are filed, scheduled, and resolved here, which can be reassuring when everything else feels unfamiliar.

Attorney Cullen Tonry has been recognized by organizations such as the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys and Martindale-Hubbell. These acknowledgments reflect respect from peers in the legal community, and they are one more indicator that when you work with us, you are working with a team that takes its professional responsibilities seriously. Awards are not the reason we do this work, but they do help confirm that our approach is respected.

Clients tell us that what sets us apart is not just our experience, but the way we handle their cases day to day. We are known for detailed investigations, careful review of records, and persistent negotiation with well-funded insurers. At the same time, we keep our focus on you. Our goal is to answer questions, explain options in plain language, and reduce the legal and emotional burden you are carrying so you can focus on your recovery and your family.

What To Do After A Drunk Driving Crash

The moments after a crash caused by a drunk driver can be chaotic and frightening. You might be in pain, worried about passengers, and unsure who to call first. While every situation is different, certain steps often help protect both your health and your ability to pursue a civil claim later.

Your safety comes first. If you can, move yourself and others out of the path of traffic and call 911. Ask for both law enforcement and medical help. Even if you feel you can walk away, symptoms from head injuries, internal trauma, or soft tissue damage can appear hours or days later, so it is important to let medical professionals check you at the scene or in an emergency department.

When officers arrive, provide honest, factual information about what you remember. If you suspect that the other driver is impaired because of behavior, smell of alcohol, or what you observed before the collision, make sure the officer is aware. The police report and any testing that law enforcement performs can play an important role later when your civil claim is evaluated.

If it is safe, gather basic information at the scene. This can include names, phone numbers, and insurance details for the other driver, along with contact information for any witnesses who saw the crash or noticed signs of intoxication. Photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and your visible injuries can also help document what occurred.

In the hours or days following the crash, you may begin receiving calls from insurance companies, including the impaired driver’s carrier. Adjusters often want recorded statements, and they may ask you to describe your injuries before you fully understand their extent. It is usually wise to speak with an attorney before giving detailed statements or signing any forms, so you do not unintentionally harm your claim.

How Our Team Builds Your Case

A drunk driving crash often leads to two separate legal paths. The State of Louisiana may prosecute the impaired driver for an offense such as driving while intoxicated, while you have the right to pursue a civil claim for your injuries and losses. Our role is to focus on the civil side and to make use of available information from the criminal process when it can support your claim.

We begin by reviewing what is already known. This can include police reports, accident diagrams, and any information about field sobriety tests or chemical tests that law enforcement performed. We look at scene photographs, available video, and statements from you and any witnesses who can describe how the crash occurred or what they saw shortly before impact.

From there, we work to identify potential sources of financial recovery. The starting point is usually the impaired driver’s liability insurance. In some cases, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which may be part of your own policy or that of a household member, can also play a role. When the facts suggest the involvement of other responsible parties, we evaluate that as well, always within the bounds of Louisiana law.

Documenting your losses is another key part of our work. We review medical records and bills to understand the treatment you have received and what doctors expect in the future. We look at employment records and talk with you about time missed from work, changes in your ability to perform your job, and how your injuries affect your daily life. In wrongful death cases, we consider the impact on family members, including loss of companionship and support.

Once we have a clear picture of liability and damages, we communicate with the insurance companies involved. That can mean presenting demand letters, providing supporting documentation, and negotiating for a settlement that accounts for both economic and non-economic losses. If negotiations do not lead to a resolution that you consider fair, we are prepared to file a lawsuit in the court that has jurisdiction, which may include the 34th Judicial District Court in St. Bernard Parish for collisions that occur in this area.

Throughout this process, we keep you informed. We explain what each step means, discuss options, and answer questions about what to expect next. Legal procedures can feel foreign and stressful, especially when you are still recovering. Our aim is to manage the legal side so that you can concentrate on your health and the people who depend on you.

Losses You May Recover After A Crash

After a drunk driving crash, many people are surprised by how quickly the financial impact grows. There are ambulance charges, hospital bills, follow-up appointments, and medications. You may have to miss work for days or weeks, and in serious cases, your ability to earn a living can be affected for much longer. While we cannot promise specific outcomes, we can explain common categories of compensation that Louisiana law may allow in these cases.

Medical losses often make up a major portion of a claim. These can include emergency care, diagnostic testing, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment for chronic pain or permanent injuries. Future medical needs, such as additional procedures or long-term rehabilitation, may also be part of the analysis when the evidence supports them.

Income-related losses are another key consideration. If your injuries kept you from working, reduced your hours, or forced you into a different position with lower pay, those changes can sometimes be reflected in your claim. When a crash permanently alters a person’s ability to work in their chosen field, that can be an important factor as well.

Not all harms are captured in bills or pay stubs. Pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the strain that injuries place on relationships are real consequences that the civil system can recognize. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may also pursue damages for loss of companionship, guidance, and support, subject to the specific provisions of Louisiana law.

Property damage, such as repairing or replacing your vehicle and dealing with rental or temporary transportation, is typically part of the overall picture. Out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash, such as medical equipment or assistance with daily tasks you can no longer perform, can sometimes be included when properly documented.

Our experience handling thousands of injury and wrongful death matters helps us identify and document these different kinds of losses. We use that understanding to present a claim that reflects the full impact of the drunk driving crash on your life, then negotiate or litigate with that goal in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a case if the driver was arrested for DUI?

You may have a civil case even if the driver was arrested or charged with DUI. The criminal case focuses on punishment, while your claim seeks compensation for your losses. We review the facts, including any available test results, to evaluate your options under Louisiana law.

How soon should I call your firm after a drunk driving crash?

It is usually best to reach out as soon as you can safely do so. Early contact allows us to review your situation, help you avoid missteps with insurers, and work to protect important evidence. There are also legal deadlines in Louisiana, so timing can matter.

How do your attorneys get paid in a drunk driving case?

We typically handle drunk driving injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means our fee is tied to the outcome rather than hourly billing. We explain the details during your free consultation so you understand how costs and fees are handled before you decide how to move forward.

What information should I bring to a consultation with your team?

Bring whatever you have available, such as the police report, crash photos, medical records, and insurance information. If you do not have all of that yet, we can still talk. During the consultation we explain what documents are helpful and how we can assist in gathering them.

Will I have to go to court in St. Bernard Parish?

Many drunk driving injury lawsuits from this area are filed in the 34th Judicial District Court in St. Bernard Parish, but not every case goes to a full trial. Some resolve through settlement before that point. We discuss likely paths with you and appear in court on your behalf when needed.

Talk With Our Team About Your Next Steps

If you or someone you love has been hurt by an impaired driver here in Chalmette or elsewhere in St. Bernard Parish, you do not have to sort through the legal and insurance issues alone. Our attorneys at Tonry & Giraud are prepared to listen to your story, explain your options, and help you decide what makes sense for your family.

If a drunk driver hit you in Chalmette, call (504) 470-0738 now for a free consultation so we can preserve evidence, deal with insurers, and pursue full compensation.