Countless nonprofit agencies, as well as federal, state and local governments, have put extensive efforts into raising awareness of and preventing drunk driving. Although their efforts are admirable and may have an impact on reducing drunk driving, the sad truth of the matter is that people continue to drink and drive. When they do so, they put innocent individuals at risk of serious harm, as it only takes a split second for an intoxicated motorists to cause a severe car accident.
For example, a recent wreck in Phoenix left one individual dead and several others injured. According to reports, a 24-year-old man suddenly swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding with another vehicle head-on. The accident left the driver of the oncoming vehicle dead and injured the passenger in that car. The errant driver, as well as his passenger, were taken to the hospital, too. Police continue to investigate the crash, but they believe that intoxication and speed played a role.
Being injured in a wreck like this can leave a victim with extensive damages, but they may not amount to the loss felt by a family who loses a loved one in one of these accidents. Both surviving victims and surviving family members of those who are killed can face extensive pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages, which can leave an already grieving family struggling to make ends meet.
This outcome isn’t fair when the damages have been caused by the negligence of another, as they likely have in the crash discussed above. Fortunately, those who are victimized by negligence can pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in hopes of imposing liability, finding accountability and recovering compensation. The process is adversarial in nature, though, so these parties need to be prepared to fight for their position by gathering evidence, witness accounts, and utilizing the law to their advantage.
