As Pennsylvania residents know, drunk driving accidents often cause injury or death. Many drunk drivers are not injured in the accidents that they cause. The person driving under the influence may even walk away from a car crash unscathed. However, they can be held liable for the damage their actions cause. The victims in drunk driving accidents suffer emotional and physical harm that may take several years to rectify. Car crashes of this nature are devastating.
Recently, a Pennsylvania woman crashed into two parked police cruisers. The woman was charged with driving under the influence. Both police officers were taken to the hospital. One officer was released, and the other officer is expected to be released soon.
Drunk drivers can be held accountable for their reckless actions while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. If serious bodily injury or death results from a drunk driving accident, the victim or the families of the victim can look to the courts to help them recover damages from the party responsible for the accident.
In cases where the victim suffers serious injury from the accident, the victim can sue the drunk driver to pay for the medical expenses resulting from the accident. When death occurs, the drunk driver may be arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter. The driver can be incarcerated if convicted of this charge. Surviving family members may also file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Drunk drivers create a great risk of injury or serious harm when they get behind the wheel of a car. However, civil lawsuits can help victims and their families recover appropriate damages from drunk drivers who cause accidents. Often, working with an experienced personal injury is wise.
Source: NBC 10 Philadelphia, “Officers Hit by Drunk Driver, Injured: Cops,” Kelly Bayliss, Oct. 19, 2012