Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Ouachita Parish

Four Generations of Fighting for Injury Victims in Monroe & Ouachita Parish

When a drunk driver causes your injuries, you need a firm with the courtroom record and local knowledge to back it up. Guerriero & Guerriero has represented personal injury clients in Monroe and throughout Ouachita Parish since Joseph S. Guerriero founded the practice in 1925. Four generations of family ownership and over 100 years of combined experience mean we bring more than legal skill to your case: we bring a genuine commitment to treating every client the way we’d treat a member of our own family.

Our attorneys know how drunk driving injury claims move through the Fourth Judicial District Court and how the insurers handling these cases in this region evaluate them. That familiarity shapes every decision we make, from the first demand letter to the day a case resolves.

If you or someone you love was hurt by a drunk driver in Ouachita Parish, call Guerriero & Guerriero today for a free consultation: (318) 600-0000.

The Civil Claim Is Separate from the Criminal Case

A drunk driving crash typically triggers two separate legal proceedings. The state pursues a criminal DWI or DUI case to punish the driver. Your civil claim is different: it exists to compensate you for what you’ve lost, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The outcome of the criminal case doesn’t control whether you can recover in the civil claim, and you don’t have to wait for a conviction to move forward.

Timing matters. Under Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.1, injured parties generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. Missing that deadline can permanently bar recovery, no matter how strong the underlying case is. Don’t wait to get legal advice.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Drunk Driving Accident

The drunk driver is the primary defendant in most civil claims, but liability doesn’t always stop there. We review the circumstances of every crash to determine whether additional parties should be named, including employers when the at-fault driver was on the job at the time of the collision.

Bars and social hosts occupy a narrower category under Louisiana law. La. R.S. 9:2800.1, the state’s anti-dram shop law, generally protects alcohol vendors and social hosts from liability for injuries that occur off their premises when the person served was of legal drinking age. Exceptions exist: serving a person under 21, injuries occurring on the establishment’s own premises, or situations where someone was forced to drink or misled about alcohol in a beverage. We look at all of these angles before concluding who should be named in a claim.

Comparative Fault, Damages, & Punitive Awards

Louisiana uses a modified comparative fault system. Under Civil Code article 2323, an injured person found 51% or more at fault cannot recover damages. If your share of fault is 50% or less, your recovery is reduced proportionally. In a drunk driving case, the at-fault driver’s BAC and behavior typically make comparative fault arguments hard for the defense to sustain, but insurers will still raise them.

Recoverable damages in a drunk driving accident claim can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages, which are intended to punish conduct beyond ordinary negligence, may also be available when a drunk driver caused the crash. These are separate from compensatory damages and require meeting a specific legal standard. We assess whether punitive damages apply in the cases we handle.

Serving Ouachita Parish & the Surrounding Region

Our attorneys have litigated in the courts serving this region for decades. The Fourth Judicial District Court, which holds original jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters in both Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes, is where drunk driving injury cases in this area are filed and tried. We know how those proceedings work and how the insurance companies operating in this market approach claims. That local knowledge translates directly into how we position a case.

We represent clients throughout Ouachita Parish and surrounding communities, including Morehouse Parish, Richland Parish, Bastrop, and Rayville.

Get a Free Consultation with Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

We offer free consultations so you can understand your options before committing to anything. The sooner we can review your case, the sooner we can begin preserving the evidence and documentation that support it.

Contact Guerriero & Guerriero today. Call (318) 600-0000 to schedule your free consultation and let four generations of experience go to work for you.

Louisiana DWI Law: BAC Limits & Criminal Consequences

Louisiana sets the legal blood alcohol concentration limit at 0.08% for drivers 21 and older, 0.04% for commercial vehicle operators, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. A driver who exceeds these thresholds can face criminal DWI or DUI charges carrying potential jail time, license suspension, and fines. These criminal consequences are separate from any civil liability the driver faces for injuries caused to others. A criminal conviction can be useful evidence in a civil claim, but it isn’t required: even if the driver pleads down to a lesser offense or avoids conviction, the civil claim can still move forward on the evidence available.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash

What you do in the hours and days after a crash can affect the strength of your claim. Three actions matter most:

Seek medical evaluation immediately. Prompt treatment documents your injuries and creates a direct medical record connecting them to the crash.
Report the accident to police and obtain the report. Because driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense, the police report often captures BAC readings, field sobriety results, and other details that support a civil claim.
Preserve evidence. Photographs of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries, along with contact information for any witnesses, can prove critical as the case develops.

Contacting a drunk driving accident lawyer in Ouachita Parish early gives you a strong chance of protecting that evidence before it disappears.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Five-Star Client Reviews

With nearly a century of trusted service, we've earned the confidence of thousands across Louisiana. Read real stories of justice, compassion, and results.

“They Take Care of You”
“They make sure that you get what you need!”

Dakota E.
“We Appreciate You”
“We appreciate you! Great service and they've always been attentive to our needs.”

Deshon M.
“They Get the Job Done”
“This law firm gets the job done!! Attentive to me and my needs and everyone is always so nice and pleasant.”

Former Client
“Thank You Guys!”
“Jeff and his team literally did anything necessary to take care of through the most challenging moments I've experienced.”

Jarrod D.
“Honest Attorney”
“If you need an honest Attorney and friendly staff that will go above and beyond, then Guerrieo & Guerriero is the place you are looking for!”

Zenovia A.
“Very Satisfied”
“Great team will help you all the way to the end.”

Raylan M.
“Hard Work and Dedication”
“Jeff and Tammy made my experience at the law firm memorable answering many questions.”

Lacedric W.
“Diligent and Focused”
“Excellent representation. Jeff and his staff are very diligent and focused on helping their clients! 10/10 would recommend!”

Byron A.

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Built on Legacy. Driven by Results.

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Have questions? Ready to get started? Call (318) 600-0000 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

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A Century of Service

With roots going back nearly 100 years, Guerriero & Guerriero has earned the trust of generations across Louisiana by delivering consistent, results-driven legal representation.
Trial-Ready Approach

Led by experienced trial attorney Jeff Guerriero, the firm prepares every case as if it’s going to court—maximizing the chances of a strong settlement or courtroom victory.
Proven Track Record

We have a long-standing history of winning substantial verdicts and settlements for injured clients, with millions recovered.
No Recovery, No Fee

Clients pay nothing unless the firm wins. Guerriero & Guerriero’s contingency fee model ensures they fight hard—because they don’t get paid unless you do.