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    Auto Accidents
    Talk to one of our attorneys before you talk to an insurance company. What you innocently say can affect your settlement.

     
    18-Wheeler Accidents
    Litigation of an accident involving a big rig can get complicated quickly. Anyone involved in this type of accident should consult an attorney.

     
    Criminal Defense
    Specializing in helping individuals charged with: Burglary, Robbery, Drug related offenses, Murder, DUI, and Theft

     
    Defective Products
    The lawyers at Cherry and Irwin have experience with product liability cases. Contact Cherry & Irwin for a free consultation.

     
    Medical Malpractice
    Thousands of people are injured or die due to negligent doctors and medical staff. If you have been injured contact us today.

     
    Motorcycle Accidents
    Benjamin Irwin, an experienced rider, understands that bike accidents can cause devastating injuries and knows how to help.

     
    Wrongful Death
    Time is of the essence in wrongful death lawsuits. There are time limits to how long it can be after the death before a lawsuit can be filed.

     
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  • Your Team
    Samuel A. Cherry
    Samuel Cherry has four decades of law experience and is nationally acclaimed for verdicts and settlements in products liability cases.

     
    Benjamin A. Irwin
    Ben Irwin is the Managing Partner and founding member of Cherry & Irwin. He was the youngest commissioner ever elected in Dale County, Alabama.
    Christine Irwin
    Christine received her Juris Doctorate at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law and is admitted to practice in all Alabama State Courts.
    Peter Havas
    Pete attained his Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College, opened a law firm in Mobile in 2004 and then returned to the Wiregrass to practice law at Cherry & Irwin.
    Blaine Stevens
    Blaine is permitted to practice in Federal Courts including the United States Supreme Court.

     

     

    Cal Whaley
    Mr. Whaley received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.

     

     

    Christopher Williams
    Mr. Williams received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.

     

     

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  • About
    Experience
    Cherry & Irwin attorneys have collectively handled over 10,000 cases with over $160 million in settlements.

     
    Never a Fee
    Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency bases. We don't get paid until you have been granted a settlement or award.

     
    Partner With Us
    At Cherry & Irwin we are proud to partner with associating lawyers across the country on complex cases.

     
    Careers
    We are always on the lookout for exceptional new talent. Look at our careers page to see positions.

     
    Testimonials
    Watch and read what some of our clients have to say about Cherry & Irwin Trial Lawyers.

     

     
    Our Community
    Learn about local events, happenings and school sports schedules. Visit regularly to find out what's going on.
     

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  • FAQ
    Our attorneys have over 150 years combined experience litigating well over 10,000 cases and winning more than $160 million dollars.

     

     
    Initial consultations with our attorneys are always free. Contact us today to find out if you have a case.

     

     
    Every state has placed a statute of limitations on lawsuits. Some time limits are short (as little as six months) while others are longer depending on the type of case.

     
    Visit our FAQ page for a list of legal terms and their definitions. If you have more questions contact us.

     

     
    How much a case is worth depends on many things and estimates can only be determined by carefully analyzing all of the facts. Talk to one of our attorneys today.

     
    If the driver causing the vehicle accident was under the influence of a substance you may win punitive damages.

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  • Contact







    163 W. Main St.
    Dothan, Alabama 36301

    Phone: 334.793.1000
    Directions



CALL US TODAY  (334)793-1000  

PUNITIVE DAMAGES

Punitive damages are a special type of damages that may be assessed in accidents where the individual causing the accident is operating their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or some other intoxicating drug.

Punitive damages are designed to punish the driver for being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, ecstacy or methamphetamine.

The insurance adjusters never tell you about punitive damages yet it has the responsibility to pay those damages in behalf of its insured.

The measure of damages or how much you might be entitled to depends on the facts of each case. Most people might think that if you are not seriously injured that you are not entitled to an award of punitive damages. That is just plain wrong. Our firm routinely obtains punitive damages settlements involving tens of thousands of dollars in excess of the actual damages. For example, we recently obtained $50,000 in punitive damages settlement for an accident victim who only had property damages and very minimal personal injuries. This amount represented the limits of the drunk driver�s insurance coverage.

For the most part, the assessment of punitive damages is not related to the actual damages caused. Punitive damages are designed to punish the driver at fault for bad conduct that caused the accident. Punitive damages are society�s way of trying to prevent bad conduct such as driving while intoxicated and to deter or help prevent that type of conduct in the future. Society has a strong and compelling reason to keep drunks off our highways. Punitive damages help to do just that.

In the Wiregrass alone there has been an approximate average of 2,000 accidents caused each year by drivers under the influence of alcohol. Each one of these accidents should produce an award of punitive damages that the insurance companies have to pay. If you are involved in an accident with a drunk driver you should be entitled to an award of punitive damages even if you only incur property damage and certainly if there are personal injuries involved.

 

Contact Cherry & Irwin for a FREE consultation if you have been involved in an accident involving a driver operating their vehicle while under the influence of any substance including prescribed prescription narcotics.

 

 


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Some information from AL DOT