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Drunk Driving
Posted by: euser
October 14, 2008
Topic: PERSONAL INJURY LAW
If you've been injured in a motor vehicle collision, and the driver who caused the collision was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may be entitled to punitive damages. While you are entitled to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, in a punitive damage case, you are also entitled to damages to punish the other driver for their wrongdoing. In my experience, the public, including the juries who decide these cases, is fed up with the carnage on the highways caused by drunk driving, and are willing to award punitive damages under the appropriate circumstances.
For example, in a case I settled in 2008, 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 is settled for a modest amount. However, 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. When I took his deposition, he testified that he was aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, and admitted that although he knew the dangers, he didn't care about the safety of the public. On further questionning, he said that drinking beer was more important to him than the safety of the public. Additionally, I took the deposition of an executive of his company. He 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 his employee had a drunk driving record. Because of this strong evidence, and the exposure to a punitive damage claim, this case settled for $400,000.00.
Luckily, my client was not more seriously injured. Drinking and driving is a serious offense, and I do not represent people charged with drinking and driving. I only represent people harmed by drunk drivers. If you've been injured in a motor vehicle collision, please call me. I want to help you.
