Decades of experience handling DUI-related injury claims
No legal fees unless compensation is recovered
Aggressive representation against drunk drivers and their insurers
Free consultations available 24/7
Every year, drunk drivers cause devastating injuries across the region. If you were hit by someone who got behind the wheel after drinking, you’re likely facing more than just physical pain. These crashes often leave victims dealing with lost income, rising medical bills, and long-term health issues they didn’t ask for. The law allows you to hold the drunk driver—and their insurance company—fully accountable, but doing that takes more than just filing a claim. You need someone who knows how to build a strong case and push back when the other side tries to avoid responsibility.
At Maloney-Lyons, LLC, we’ve spent decades helping victims of DUI crashes get the compensation they deserve. We know the patterns. A lot of these accidents happen on I-65 and near the nightlife spots around Dauphin Street. We’ve seen the damage firsthand and know how to gather the right evidence—from police reports to witness statements to toxicology results—to prove fault and fight for a full recovery.
If you’re dealing with serious injuries, you shouldn’t have to worry about legal costs. We don’t charge anything unless we recover money for you. That means no hourly fees, no upfront costs, and no risk in reaching out.
Don’t wait too long to get help. Evidence disappears fast, and the insurance company is already working to limit what they owe. Whether you’re recovering at home or in the hospital, we can walk you through your options and explain what to expect. If a drunk driver turned your life upside down, we’re here to help you set things right. Call Maloney-Lyons, LLC today and get a legal team that takes your recovery personally.
Types of Injuries & Losses
Drunk driving crashes often result in serious, life-altering injuries that go far beyond surface-level harm. Instead of dealing with a few cuts or bruises, victims may be left with lasting damage that affects their ability to work, move, or live independently. These injuries usually come with high medical bills and long recovery times, which only add to the emotional and financial burden. In many cases, physical trauma is just the start—ongoing care, income loss, and reduced quality of life can follow for months or even years. To fully understand the impact of a DUI crash, it’s important to look at both the immediate injuries and the long-term consequences that often come with them.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
One of the most serious outcomes of a DUI crash is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries can range from concussions to permanent brain damage that alters memory, speech, or motor function. In many cases, TBIs don’t show up right away, which is why medical care and ongoing monitoring are critical after any head impact. Recovery is often long and unpredictable, and some victims never return to how they were before the crash.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Drunk driving crashes often involve high-impact collisions, which can lead to damage to the spine. A spinal cord injury can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity. These injuries usually require emergency surgery, followed by long-term rehab. The cost of mobility aids, home modifications, and daily assistance can add up quickly—and that doesn’t include the emotional toll of losing physical independence.
Broken Bones and Internal Injuries
Broken arms, legs, ribs, and hips are common in DUI accidents. While many fractures heal with time, complex breaks may need surgery and leave behind long-term issues like chronic pain or limited range of motion. Internal injuries—such as damage to the lungs, liver, or spleen—may not be obvious at the scene but can become life-threatening if not caught early. These injuries often require extensive hospitalization and close follow-up care.
Wrongful Death in Fatal DUI Crashes
When someone dies because of a drunk driver’s actions, their family is left to deal with more than just grief. A wrongful death claim may help cover funeral expenses, lost future income, and the emotional cost of losing a loved one. While no amount of money can make up for the loss, holding the driver accountable can help families begin to move forward.
Loss of Income and Long-Term Care Costs
Injuries from drunk driving crashes often prevent victims from returning to work—sometimes temporarily, other times for good. That loss of income can impact everything from rent payments to supporting children. In more serious cases, the injured person may require long-term medical care, therapy, or in-home assistance. These costs add up fast and should be factored into any settlement or verdict. Proper documentation of all losses is key to making a full recovery, both financially and physically.
Alabama Civil Law & DUI Crashes
Under Alabama civil law, driving under the influence is considered gross negligence. This goes beyond ordinary carelessness—it reflects a serious disregard for others’ safety. Because of that, DUI crash victims may be able to recover punitive damages in addition to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These damages are meant to punish the drunk driver and send a message to others.
For example, if someone with a high BAC blows through a red light and causes a crash during a Mardi Gras event, a court may consider that conduct reckless enough to award punitive damages. While not guaranteed, this type of compensation can significantly increase your recovery.
Contributory Negligence in Alabama
Alabama still follows the strict rule of contributory negligence. If the injured person is found even 1% at fault, they may be barred from any recovery. Insurance companies often use this rule to shift blame and reduce payouts.
Let’s say you were hit by a drunk driver in Midtown Mobile. If the other side claims you stopped too fast or failed to signal, they may argue you share some responsibility. If that argument holds, you could lose the right to collect anything—even if your injuries are severe.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Because of these rules, it’s critical to have legal help after a DUI crash. Proving gross negligence and defending against blame-shifting takes experience and evidence. Things like police reports, video footage, blood test results, and witness accounts all play a role.
Even when liability seems obvious, the drunk driver’s insurer will likely try to limit what they owe. An experienced legal team can push back and help you get a fair outcome—especially in complex cases involving contributory negligence.
Liability in DUI cases may seem straightforward, but insurance companies will often try to minimize what they pay or avoid liability altogether. An experienced legal team can fight those tactics and work to ensure that victims get what they’re rightfully owed—without being unfairly blamed for someone else’s reckless decision to drive drunk.
Why Choose Maloney-Lyons
Maloney-Lyons, LLC has handled hundreds of DUI-related crash cases. We understand how these cases unfold and what it takes to hold impaired drivers fully accountable under civil law. Our experience means we know where to look for critical evidence, how to frame the facts, and how to build strong cases that stand up to insurers and defense lawyers.
Strategic Use of DUI Evidence
Drunk driving claims involve more than just accident reports. We work closely with law enforcement and use toxicology results, field sobriety test findings, and criminal charges to strengthen your civil case. Knowing how to properly leverage this DUI-related evidence helps us maximize the value of your claim and pursue punitive damages when available.
Risk-Free Legal Representation
You don’t pay us anything unless we win. That’s not just a slogan—it’s how we operate. Our firm covers the upfront costs, and we only recover legal fees if we’re successful in getting you compensation. This risk-free structure lets you focus on your recovery without worrying about legal bills.
Local Insight and Familiarity
We know how the courts, prosecutors, and insurance adjusters work here because we’ve been dealing with them for years. This local knowledge helps us anticipate how a case might be handled and allows us to plan accordingly. From understanding the tendencies of local judges to knowing how law enforcement handles DUI reporting, that insight gives us—and you—an edge.
Personalized, Focused Support
You’re not just another file number here. When you hire Maloney-Lyons, LLC, you get direct communication and clear guidance. We stay accessible, explain each step, and treat your case with the seriousness it deserves. Our entire approach is built around helping victims rebuild after serious crashes caused by impaired drivers.
Take the First Step Toward Justice—Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
When a drunk driver changes your life, you shouldn’t be left facing the aftermath alone. Medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma can pile up quickly. While the at-fault driver may face criminal charges, that doesn’t help you recover financially. That’s where we come in.
At Maloney-Lyons, LLC, we focus on the civil side of DUI crashes—holding reckless drivers and their insurers accountable and pursuing full compensation for your injuries and losses. Our team acts fast to preserve evidence, work with investigators, and protect your rights from day one.
You have nothing to lose by speaking with us. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to review your case, explain your legal options, and give you honest answers. If we take your case, you won’t pay a dime unless we recover money for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Injury Claims
When you’re hurt by a drunk driver, the legal and insurance systems can feel overwhelming. Most people don’t know what to expect, what their rights are, or how compensation works after a crash involving alcohol or drugs. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from victims of DUI-related accidents. These answers are meant to help you get a better understanding of your legal options. Every case is different, so we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation where we can give you answers based on your specific situation.
Q: Can I sue a drunk driver even if they were charged criminally?
A: Yes. Criminal charges and civil claims are separate. The criminal case determines whether the drunk driver broke the law and what penalties they may face. A civil claim is where you seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other harm. Even if the driver is found guilty, that doesn’t automatically pay your expenses—you must still file a civil claim to recover damages. In many cases, a DUI conviction can actually help support your civil case, as it strengthens the evidence of the driver’s fault.
Q: What damages can I recover after a DUI crash?
A: You can seek compensation for medical treatment, hospital bills, rehabilitation, property damage, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If the crash caused long-term disability or emotional trauma, those losses can also be included in the claim. In serious or fatal DUI cases, punitive damages may be available as well. These are meant to punish the drunk driver for egregious misconduct and can add substantial value to your case. Families who lose a loved one can also pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs, loss of support, and emotional grief.
Q: What if the drunk driver’s insurance isn’t enough?
A: If the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t fully cover your damages, we’ll look at every possible option. That might include filing an underinsured motorist claim under your own policy, or seeking compensation from a bar, restaurant, or party host if they served the visibly intoxicated driver before the crash (this is sometimes called a “dram shop” claim). If there are multiple people or businesses who share liability, we’ll pursue all responsible parties. Sometimes, the driver’s personal assets may be reachable in a lawsuit depending on the circumstances.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Maloney-Lyons?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a portion of the total recovery and will be discussed with you in advance. If we don’t win your case, you owe nothing. This structure allows everyone to access legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. You’ll never write us a check—we only get paid when you do.
If you have more questions, don’t wait. We’re here to walk you through the process and help you understand what comes next. Contact us today for a free consultation.
