Recent Updates
October 14, 2008
Soft Tissue Injuries--Neck and Back Strain/Sprain
October 14, 2008
Drunk Driving
October 14, 2008
It's Not an Accident
September 23, 2008
Yamaha Rhino ATV
September 15, 2008
Chantix
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
While the Fourth of July is a great time to spend time with your family and friends, it is unfortunately a time in which people tend to over indulge in alcohol and drive on the highways. If you're going to drink, don't drive, or ride in a vehicle in which the driver has been drinking. The combination of drinking and driving can cause a far reaching tragedies, both for the drivers and their families, as well as the victims. In my experience, the public, which includes members of criminal and civil juries, are fed up with the carnage on the highways caused by drinking and driving.
For example, in a recent case, I represented a woman who was rear-ended in a traffic collision. She received soft tissue injuries to her neck and back, and was treated by her family doctor and a physical therapist. Normally, this kind of case usually is settled for a modest amount. However, in this case, a drunk driver caused the collision. It was his second offense. He fled the scene of the collision. At the time of the collision, he was on the job, driving a company vehicle. At deposition, he testified that he was aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, and admitted although he knew the dangers, he didn't care about the safety of the public, and drinking beer was more important to himthan the safety of the public. Additionally,an executive of the company testified that his company didn't have any policies and procedures in effect to review the driving records of their employees, and didn't know this employee had a drunk driving record. Because of their exposure to punitive damages, the case settled for $400,000.00.
Luckily, my client was not more seriously injured. Drinking and driving is a serious offense, so please, have a great Fourth of July, and be careful out there!
