Can You Sue a Drunk Driver in the US Virgin Islands?

 Posted on November 15, 2025 in Car Accidents

Getting hit by a drunk driver changes your life in an instant. You might face serious injuries, medical bills, lost work time, and damage to your vehicle. In the US Virgin Islands, you can sue a drunk driver for the harm they caused you.

The Virgin Islands takes drunk driving and car crashes seriously. Understanding your rights under USVI law helps you know what to expect when pursuing a case against a drunk driver. Our US Virgin Islands personal injury attorney can help you with your claim. 

What Can You Recover in a Lawsuit Against a Drunk Driver?

Virgin Islands law allows you to recover several types of damages when a drunk driver injures you. These damages are meant to make you whole again after the accident.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses are the most obvious damages. This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care you will need. Keep all your medical bills and records as proof of these costs.

Lost Wages

Lost wages compensate you for time missed from work. If your injuries keep you from working, you deserve payment for that lost income. This includes future lost earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or reduce your ability to earn money.

Property Damage

Property damage covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle. The drunk driver should pay for all damage to your car and any personal items that were damaged in the crash.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages address the physical pain and emotional distress the accident caused. Injuries hurt. The law recognizes the fact that these non-economic losses have real value. The Virgin Islands does have some legal limitations on the amount that can be recovered for certain non-economic cases (20 V.I.C. § 555). 

Can You Sue a Drunk Driver for a Crash Even If the Driver Was Not Convicted of DUI?

Your civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal case, and you do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to file your personal injury lawsuit. The criminal case and civil case have different purposes and different standards of proof.

In a criminal DUI case, the prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a very high standard. In your civil case, you only need to prove the driver was negligent by a preponderance of the evidence. This means more likely than not, which is much easier to show.

Even if the drunk driver is found not guilty in criminal court, you can still win your civil case. The two cases use different rules and different burdens of proof. Many civil cases succeed even when criminal charges are dropped or result in acquittal.

How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit for a Car Crash in the US Virgin Islands?

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in the US Virgin Islands is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is strict. If you do not file your lawsuit within two years, you lose your right to sue.

Two years might seem like a long time, but it goes fast when you are dealing with injuries and recovery. Some situations might change the deadline. If you were a minor when the accident happened, different rules might apply. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you do not miss any important deadlines.

Call a US Virgin Islands Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Drunk driving accidents cause serious harm to innocent people. You deserve compensation for what you have been through and what you continue to face because of someone else's reckless choice to drive while intoxicated.

Contact Colianni & Leonard LLC at 340-719-1766 for a free consultation about your case. When you call, you will speak with a dedicated US Virgin Islands personal injury attorney who understands the unique challenges of pursuing injury claims in the territory. Whether your accident happened on St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John, we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and hold drunk drivers accountable for the harm they cause.