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Are You The Innocent Victim of a Drunk Driver?
If so, you need an experienced DWI accident victim lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a drunk or impaired driver, you may be entitled to pursue both compensatory damages—to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering—and punitive damages, intended to punish the impaired driver for their reckless conduct.
At Kellum Law Firm, our lawyers represent victims of DWI-related accidents—not the offenders. If you’ve been harmed by someone else’s decision to drive under the influence, we strongly encourage you to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. We offer a free, no-obligation case review to help you understand your legal options and take the first step toward recovering the compensation you deserve.
PERSONAL INJURY | AUTO / MOTORCYCLE / TRUCK ACCIDENTS | WORKERS’ COMP. | SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY | WRONGFUL DEATH
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Getting help is fast, confidential, and completely free—just fill out the form on this page or call us anytime, 24/7. We’re always available, even on nights and weekends, because drunk driving crashes don’t keep a schedule—and neither do we.
If you or a loved one has been hit by someone driving while intoxicated, time matters. At Kellum Law Firm, our experienced North Carolina DWI car accident victim lawyers know what it takes to hold drunk drivers accountable and secure maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain, and long-term recovery.
We’ll meet with you wherever is most convenient—at your home, hospital room, or at one of our many office locations across the state.
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DWI Among the Top Causes of Serious Car Accidents in North Carolina
In my practice, few cases are as frustrating or as preventable as those involving drunk or impaired driving. Year after year, DWI remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and death on our roads here in North Carolina. And, National data shows that alcohol-impaired driving is responsible for roughly one out of every three traffic fatalities in the United States, a statistic that is both alarming and entirely avoidable. [NHTSA.gov]
“In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2019. These deaths were all preventable.”
Alcohol-related crashes are especially troubling because the risks are well known. Alcohol directly impairs judgment, reaction time, coordination, and decision-making. Even small amounts can affect a driver’s ability to respond safely to traffic conditions. Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, impaired drivers continue to put everyone else on the road at risk.
When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it is carried to the brain, where it interferes with cognitive and motor functions that are essential for safe driving. Blood alcohol concentration, commonly referred to as BAC, measures the amount of alcohol present in the blood. In North Carolina, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher. While that threshold defines the legal limit, the reality I see in injury cases is that impairment often occurs well before a driver reaches that level.
Because alcohol affects individuals differently based on body chemistry, tolerance, fatigue, and other factors, there is no truly “safe” amount of alcohol to consume before driving. From a legal and practical standpoint, the safest choice is always to avoid driving altogether if you have been drinking. A designated driver, rideshare, or other alternative can prevent irreversible harm.
I want to be clear about where I stand in these cases. Kellum Law Firm does not represent drunk drivers. I represent the people whose lives are disrupted, and often permanently changed, because someone else made the reckless decision to drive while impaired. I have worked with clients who suffered catastrophic injuries, lost loved ones, or now face lifelong medical and financial consequences because of a DWI crash.
If you were injured or lost a family member in an accident involving a drunk driver, and that driver was cited or charged with DWI, it is important to act quickly. These cases often involve additional legal considerations, including punitive damages and parallel criminal proceedings. My role is to protect your interests, hold the impaired driver accountable, and pursue the full compensation the law allows.
We’re With You All The Way
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Accident Claims
1. What is considered “driving while intoxicated” in North Carolina?
Driving while intoxicated (DWI), also referred to as driving under the influence (DUI), means operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or while impaired by drugs, including prescription or illegal substances. North Carolina has strict DWI laws—but when someone causes an accident while intoxicated, they may also be held liable in civil court for the harm they cause to others.
2. Does Kellum Law Firm represent drivers who’ve been charged with DWI?
No. We do not handle criminal defense for people charged with DWI offenses. Our firm exclusively represents victims of drunk drivers—those injured or who have lost loved ones due to someone else’s reckless, intoxicated driving. If you’ve been harmed in a DWI-related crash, our team can help you pursue compensation through a civil claim.
3. What makes DWI accident claims different from regular car accident cases?
DWI-related crashes often involve more than just negligence—they involve illegal and reckless conduct. As a result, drunk driving victims may be entitled to additional damages, including punitive damages, which are designed to punish the drunk driver and deter future behavior. These cases also require close coordination with law enforcement records, sobriety tests, and sometimes criminal court outcomes.
4. What types of compensation can I recover if I was hit by a drunk driver?
If you were injured in a DWI crash, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, property damage, and in severe cases, long-term disability or loss of a loved one. Our attorneys pursue the full range of damages, including those that apply specifically to victims of impaired driving.
5. What if the drunk driver wasn’t convicted—can I still file a claim?
Yes. A criminal conviction is not required to bring a civil case. Civil lawsuits have a lower burden of proof than criminal trials. Even if charges were dropped or no arrest was made, you may still be able to hold the at-fault driver liable for driving under the influence and causing your injuries.
6. How can I protect myself and others from future DWI-related crashes?
Preventing impaired driving is a shared responsibility. Choosing a designated driver, using rideshare services, and speaking up when friends attempt to drive drunk can all save lives. Our firm believes in both accountability and prevention. For more insight, read our article on DWI prevention strategies to avoid impaired driving and help make North Carolina roads safer.
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. Our team is here to demand justice and secure the compensation you need — starting with a free consultation at your nearest Kellum Law Firm office.
Justice for Victims of Drunk Driving in North Carolina
If you or a loved one has been harmed by an impaired driver, you deserve accountability — and compensation. Our attorneys fight for drunk driving victims across the state, backed by local offices in the communities we serve:
- Holding drunk drivers accountable throughout Wake County – Raleigh
- Helping victims in Craven County recover after DUI crashes – New Bern
- Fighting for justice after alcohol-related collisions in coastal NC – Wilmington
- Supporting Onslow County families after tragic DUI accidents – Jacksonville
- Providing aggressive representation for victims in Pitt County – Greenville
- Helping Halifax County residents pursue civil claims against drunk drivers – Roanoke Rapids
- Standing by injury victims in the Triangle region – Durham
- Supporting DUI injury claims throughout Cumberland County – Fayetteville
- Pursuing justice for innocent victims in Mecklenburg County – Charlotte
- Helping clients in Carteret County recover after drunk driving incidents – Morehead City
- Standing with rural communities in Martin County after DUI injuries – Williamston
- Protecting victims’ rights in Wayne County following drunk driving crashes – Goldsboro
- Representing Nash and Edgecombe County victims of alcohol-impaired drivers – Rocky Mount
Driving While Intoxicated Wrecks Lives: The Human Cost of Impaired Driving in North Carolina
Driving while intoxicated (DWI)—also known as driving under the influence (DUI)—is far more than a traffic violation. It’s a reckless, often devastating act that can shatter lives in a moment. Across North Carolina, families are left to grieve, heal, and seek justice after entirely preventable tragedies. Below, we explore real-world examples and the deeper ripple effects DWI crashes leave behind.
Real DWI Tragedies in North Carolina
1. A Teen’s Life Cut Short in Clayton
In March 2025, 19-year-old Genesis Karolina Mairena Enamorado was killed in Clayton, NC, when a driver ran a stoplight and crashed into her vehicle. The driver, J. Guadalupe Moreno Nieves, was charged with DWI, driving with a revoked license, and felony death by motor vehicle. Authorities reported his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.
Read more
2. A Wilmington Woman Left Critically Injured
In August 2024, Marta Dash was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Wilmington. The driver fled the scene and was later charged with DWI. Marta suffered internal bleeding, multiple broken bones, and faces a long road to recovery. Her case highlights the lasting harm inflicted on victims—even when they survive.
Read more
3. Fatal Crash in Uptown Charlotte
In December 2024, Ryan Zadrozny was struck and killed while crossing a street in Uptown Charlotte. The driver, Mache Ulysses Darby, was later charged with felony death by vehicle and DWI. The crash demonstrates the often fatal combination of alcohol and speed on urban roads.
Read more
The Ripple Effect of DWI
Every DWI incident creates a ripple of grief, loss, and hardship. Families are left to face sudden funerals, prolonged hospitalizations, and life-altering emotional trauma. Communities mourn the loss of neighbors, coworkers, students, and loved ones. Behind every headline is a devastated circle of people left to pick up the pieces.
Prevention and Shared Responsibility
Stopping impaired driving is a shared duty. As we explain in our DWI prevention article, solutions include:
- Public education and outreach on the dangers of impaired driving
- Strict enforcement of DWI laws and license penalties
- Expanded access to safe alternatives like rideshare and public transit
- Community intervention—speaking up when someone tries to drive drunk
Justice for Victims
If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation. A civil claim can cover medical expenses, lost income, long-term care, pain and suffering, and in many cases, punitive damages. Filing a legal claim can also help ensure that the driver is held accountable and that other lives are protected in the future.
Driving while intoxicated is not just a bad decision—it’s a danger to everyone on the road. As the cases above demonstrate, the consequences are often fatal. At Kellum Law Firm, we fight for drunk driving victims and their families across North Carolina. If your life has been changed by someone else’s reckless decision to drive under the influence, we’re here to help you find answers—and justice.
If you’re a victim of DWI, contact us today for a free case evaluation using the form on this page, or call us 24/7.
Let us help you hold drunk drivers accountable and protect your future.
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Kellum Law Firm's corporate headquarters is located in New Bern, NC and has offices around North Carolina, including Raleigh, Greenville, Jacksonville, Wilmington, and more. We provide local residents with legal services focusing on personal injury law including automobile accidents, social security disability, workers' compensation, elder abuse, and more.