Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Baton Rouge

Personal Injury Representation with an Inside Understanding of OWI Cases

When a drunk driver injures you, two legal systems activate at once. The state pursues a criminal case under Louisiana RS 14:98. You pursue compensation in civil court. At Pierce & Shows, we operate in both worlds. Our attorneys handle OWI defense on the criminal side, which means we know exactly how police build these cases, what evidence they collect, and how that record becomes leverage in your civil claim.

Attorney Chris Shows founded Pierce & Shows after working in insurance defense. That background shapes how we approach every claim. We know how carriers evaluate drunk driving accidents, where they look for weaknesses, and how to counter the strategies they use to reduce or deny what victims may be entitled to recover.

If you were injured by an impaired driver in Baton Rouge, contact us before you speak with any insurer. Consultations are free, and we work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (225) 320-8050 today.

Why Baton Rouge Victims Trust Pierce & Shows

Our firm has represented personal injury clients in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana since 1992, with over 60 years of combined legal experience across the team. We’ve recovered more than $100 million for clients and helped more than 70,000 people.

Chris Shows is admitted to the Louisiana State Bar, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and all three U.S. District Courts in Louisiana: the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts. If your case needs to go further, we can take it there. He’s a member of the Louisiana Association for Justice, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, and the Louisiana State Bar Association, and serves as a mentor in the LSBA Mentorship Program. Pierce & Shows has also been recognized by Expertise.com for legal excellence in Baton Rouge.

We prepare every case for trial. That posture matters because insurance adjusters pay close attention to whether a firm is prepared to go to court. When they know we are, settlement negotiations can start from a different place.

Drunk Driving Accidents in Baton Rouge & East Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana’s drunk driving problem is severe. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, alcohol contributed to 30% of all traffic fatalities statewide in 2023, and East Baton Rouge Parish reflects that pattern. These accidents aren’t just more dangerous than standard motor vehicle accidents. They carry distinct legal implications. A parallel criminal case creates a record that can be used in your civil claim. Punitive damages may be available that wouldn’t apply in a typical car accident. And the at-fault driver’s insurer often begins building its defense before you’ve left the hospital.

Louisiana OWI Law & Your Civil Claim

Louisiana RS 14:98 defines operating while intoxicated (OWI) as operating any motor vehicle when the operator’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, while under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance, or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. You may also hear this conduct called DUI or DWI. All three terms refer to the same illegal act under Louisiana law.

A per se OWI charge is based on BAC alone, without requiring proof that the driver appeared impaired. For your civil claim, additional evidence, including field sobriety test results, officer observations, and witness accounts, strengthens the case beyond the BAC number alone.

The criminal case and your civil claim run on separate tracks. The state prosecutes the OWI. You pursue compensation independently. A criminal conviction isn’t required to win in civil court because the burden of proof there is lower than the criminal standard. To establish liability, we must show that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached it by driving while impaired, caused the accident, and that you suffered real, quantifiable harm.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Baton Rouge

The steps you take immediately after a crash affect both your health and the strength of your claim. Here’s what matters most:

Call 911 and request medical assistance. Do this even if injuries seem minor. Traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding may not produce immediate symptoms.
Tell officers you suspect impairment. If they conduct field sobriety tests or a BAC check, those results can become evidence in your civil case.
Document the scene. Photograph vehicle damage, the road, and any visible injuries before the scene is cleared.
Collect witness information. Names and contact details from anyone who saw the crash.
Seek a medical evaluation promptly. Your medical record establishes the connection between the crash and your injuries.
Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Carriers contact victims quickly and use those statements to minimize claims.
Contact Pierce & Shows first. We handle all communications with the other driver, their insurer, and their attorneys so you can focus on recovery.

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Injuries & Compensation in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Drunk driving crashes tend to produce serious injuries. Common outcomes include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ injuries, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and limb amputations. Non-physical consequences like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety are also compensable under Louisiana civil law.

Economic Damages
Past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage.

Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Punitive Damages
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.4, courts may award exemplary (punitive) damages in OWI-related civil claims when the at-fault driver’s intoxication caused the injuries and the driver’s conduct showed a wanton or reckless disregard for the safety of others. These awards aren’t automatic and depend on the specific facts of each case. Louisiana currently imposes no cap on punitive damage awards.

The value of any claim depends on the injuries sustained, the documentation gathered, and how effectively losses are presented. We work to identify every category of harm you’ve suffered and build the record to support it.

How Insurance Companies Handle Drunk Driving Claims

When a policyholder is charged with OWI, the insurer knows it faces significant financial exposure. That awareness drives an immediate response, and it rarely favors the victim. Because Chris Shows spent years working in insurance defense before founding Pierce & Shows, we understand how that response is built. We also know how to counter it.

Common tactics include early, low settlement offers calculated before the full extent of your injuries is known, requests for recorded statements that can be used to dispute your account, and deliberate delays designed to pressure victims into accepting less than they may be entitled to recover. We handle all investigating, communications, and negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurer so you aren’t exposed to any of these approaches directly.

Louisiana requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but policy limits don’t always cover the full value of serious injuries. When they don’t, we review all available sources of recovery, including your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If the at-fault driver carried no insurance at all, a civil claim can still be pursued directly against that driver, and your UM/UIM policy may provide a source of compensation.

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Moments That Matter Stories From Our Clients

At Pierce & Shows, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

"Exceptional Legal Guidance and Support"
Chris Shows and his team provided unmatched professionalism, clear communication, and a winning outcome. Highly recommended for legal support!

- Barbara C.
"Two Decades of Trust and Excellence"
With over 20 years of dedicated service, Pierce & Shows continues to deliver professionalism, efficiency, and personal care, making clients feel valued every step of the way.

- D.L.
"Comfortable, Clear, and Caring Legal Support"
Pierce & Shows excel at explaining the details and ensuring clients feel comfortable and fully informed throughout the entire process.

- DAndra C.
"Exceptional Service and Personalized Attention"
The team at Pierce & Shows goes above and beyond to make clients feel valued, answering all questions and easing the burden every step of the way.

- Richard W.

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Fighting for the Best Possible Results for You Why Choose Pierce & Shows?

Personalized Representation, Proven Results
Every case is unique, and we take the time to craft tailored strategies to meet your specific needs and goals.
Compassionate Advocates, Aggressive Litigators
We combine compassionate client care with aggressive legal tactics to secure the best outcomes for your case.
Experience You Can Trust
With decades of legal experience, our team has built a reputation for delivering results with integrity and dedication.
Fighting for Fair Compensation
We are relentless in our pursuit of justice, ensuring you receive the compensation and support you deserve.

How We Build a Drunk Driving Accident Case

Evidence in a drunk driving civil case includes the police report, any OWI charge or arrest record, BAC test results, field sobriety documentation, witness statements, traffic camera or dashcam footage, medical records, and expert testimony when needed. An OWI conviction can be used in the civil case, but we don’t wait for one. Liability can be established on negligence grounds alone, and we build the record to support that independently.

We review the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, investigate all available sources of recovery, and pursue the value of your damages supported by the facts and documentation. Every case we take is prepared as if it will go to trial. If a case moves beyond Louisiana state court, Chris Shows’ admissions to all three U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit mean we can follow it there without interruption.

Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Baton Rouge

If you were injured by an impaired driver, don’t wait to get legal guidance. The at-fault driver’s insurer is already working. Pierce & Shows has represented injured clients in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana since 1992. Consultations are free, and we handle every case on a contingency fee basis: no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (225) 320-8050 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Drunk Driving Accident

When a drunk driving crash takes a life, Louisiana law gives surviving family members two separate paths to compensation. A wrongful death claim recovers for the losses the family suffers: loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and the survivors’ own mental anguish. A survival action is filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate and recovers for the pain and suffering the victim experienced before death.

As amended by House Bill 291, effective August 1, 2025, Louisiana Civil Code Articles 2315.2(B) and 2315.1(A) extended the prescriptive period for both wrongful death and survival actions. These claims now prescribe one year from the date of the loved one’s death or two years from the day that injury or damage was sustained, whichever is longer. These deadlines are separate from the general personal injury prescription period, and families should contact an attorney promptly to confirm which apply to each type of claim.

Louisiana Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accident Claims

Louisiana changed its prescription period for personal injury claims arising from vehicular accidents. Under Louisiana C.C. Article 3493.1, accidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024, are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. Accidents that occurred before that date remain subject to the prior one-year period.

The deadline that applies to your case depends entirely on when the accident happened. Missing it typically bars recovery in civil court, regardless of how strong the underlying claim is. Acting quickly also preserves evidence: police reports, BAC records, witness memories, and surveillance footage can all become unavailable as time passes.

Contact Pierce & Shows as soon as possible to confirm the correct deadline for your situation and to protect your right to pursue compensation.

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Knowledge at Your Fingertips FAQs & Insights to Guide You Forward

Are You Required to Add Your Child to Auto Insurance?
It’s your choice as to whether to add your child to your insurance or purchase a new policy, but all drivers in the state of Louisiana are required to have auto insurance at the following levels:
- $15,000 per person for bodily injury
- $30,000 per collision for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
What Happens if I Didn't List My Kid on Car Insurance?

As a rule of thumb, any licensed driver in your household and one that uses your vehicle(s) on a regular basis should be listed on your insurance policy — including your teenagers. A proactive approach to ensuring your family is covered can save you tens of thousands of dollars in legal bills and a number of other unpleasant headaches.
What Happens if My Teen Gets to An Accident in Someone Else's Car?

If your teen borrows a friend’s car and gets into an accident while driving, things could get pretty complicated. While the driver’s insurance coverage will be the one expected to pay for your child’s mistake (if they had permission to drive), it could quickly become messier. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-pressure consultation to discuss your case.

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Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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