Drunk drivers continue to put the safety of others, in peril. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, approximately 32 people die in crashes caused by drunk drivers. In other words, one person is killed every 45 minutes! And each year, more than 10,000 are killed because of drunk drivers.
And in non-fatal accidents, many victims end up with debilitating injuries that are often permanent. Debilitating injuries often leave people unable to work. And for many, no matter how good their health care coverage is, end up with huge medical bills beyond what their insurance will cover. Additionally, terrible physical pain and emotional trauma can remain for long periods of time following a serious accident.
HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY HELP?
If you’ve been in an accident caused by a drunk driver, call an attorney. An attorney can help you recover the compensation to which you’re entitled. In fact, a South Carolina case illustrates how substantial compensation can be. Keep in mind that the amount of compensation depends largely on the facts and circumstances of the accident.
The case is about a crash caused by a man who was drinking and driving. The man was traveling north on Interstate 95 from Florida. A car in front of him slowed down due to traffic and he plowed into the back of the car.
The victim, a retired engineer who went on to write and publish self-help books, suffered a concussion and a serious lower back injury – requiring several surgeries. In the end, his medical bills totaled $400,000!
The drunk driver (who had prior DUI arrests) allegedly offered to pay the victim not to call the police. Additionally, he (allegedly) stumbled and nearly fell into the victim’s arms. When the police arrived, a rear-facing dashcam recorded the drunk driver in the back of the patrol car fading in and out of consciousness and asking where he was.
11,654 people in the United States were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2020—a 14% increase from 2019. That’s about 32 people every day or one person every 45 minutes. Click To Tweet
WHY YOU MUST HAVE INSURANCE
As you know, it’s the law to carry car insurance (other than in VA and NH). The drunk driver didn’t have sufficient insurance but luckily, the victim did. In this case, the victim’s underinsured motorist carrier — which covers costs that an at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover — agreed to settle the case before trial. The settlement, which was for a substantial amount of money that apparently covered the victim’s:
- medical expenses;
- pain and suffering;
- and economic losses due to delays in getting his next book published
The value of every case depends on its unique facts and circumstances. If you’ve suffered harm at the hands of a drunk driver, it’s important to discuss your case with an attorney.
Contact