In West Lafayette, Indiana, driving under the influence (DUI) remains a significant cause of devastating motor vehicle accidents, particularly around Purdue University and along major thoroughfares like Sagamore Parkway and State Street. These accidents often result in severe injuries, property damage, and tragic fatalities, leading to complex personal injury claims. Beyond the immediate impact of alcohol impairment, related factors such as speeding, failure to maintain lanes, and delayed reaction times frequently compound the severity of DUI crashes. When pursuing a personal injury claim, victims must consider multiple aspects, including the at-fault driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC), field sobriety test results, and police reports. The presence of aggravating factors, such as previous DUI convictions or excessive BAC levels, can significantly influence both criminal proceedings and civil compensation claims. Insurance companies often become heavily involved in these cases, particularly when commercial establishments may share liability under Indiana's dram shop laws.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Indiana operates under a modified comparative fault system, where victims can recover damages if they are found to be less than 51% at fault for the accident. The state's drunk driving laws set the legal BAC limit at 0.08%, with enhanced penalties for levels exceeding 0.15%. Victims have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under Indiana's statute of limitations. Compensation may include economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). Indiana requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, though DUI accidents often involve claims exceeding these limits. Victims may also pursue punitive damages in cases involving egregious conduct, such as extremely high BAC levels or repeat offenders. An experienced Lafayette DUI accident lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Drunk driving can be a cause of all kinds of accidents. Click the links below to get information from an experienced attorney for accidents including:

• West Lafayette car crash attorney;
• West Lafayette pedestrian accident attorney;
• West Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer;
• West Lafayette truck accident lawyer;
• West Lafayette bicycle accident attorney;

Related Resources

Local Courts:

• Tippecanoe County Superior Court
• Tippecanoe County Circuit Court
• West Lafayette City Court

Victim Support Services:

• Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County
• Indiana Victim Assistance Program
• MADD Indiana Chapter
• Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Victim Assistance Program

Legal References:

• Indiana Code Title 9, Article 30: Motor Vehicle Laws
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles DUI Information
• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute: Impaired Driving Resources
• Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office DUI Resources

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