Unfortunately, drunk drivers can be on Massachusetts’ roads at any time. These drivers can also be anybody. Mothers, workers and teens can all be drunk behind the wheel, posing serious hazards to other motorists. With the existence of these factors comes the sad reality that motorists often cannot tell who is driving intoxicated until it is too late and a car accident has occurred. When this happens, accident victims should take the steps necessary to recover their damages and to hold the negligent drivers who harmed them accountable.
Four Massachusetts residents may want to consider taking legal action after they were injured in an accident involving a drunk driver. According to police, a 21-year-old woman was driving while intoxicated when she slammed into a minivan, causing it to crash into a quarry pond. Though all passengers in the minivan were saved and will survive the accident, it could have been much worse as the quarry’s water is very deep. The 21-year-old woman had her 3-year-old child in her vehicle with her. The driver was arrested for OUI, child endangerment and failing to stop or yield.
Car accidents like this can leave a victim with a serious injury. Yet, the damages suffered from such a wreck are not limited to physical harm. A victim may also be forced to cope with emotional pain and financial struggles. Medical expenses and lost wages can compound, making it difficult to get by financially, thereby causing the victim stress and worry.
These victims, fortunately, can find relief through the legal system. By filing a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent or distracted driver, victims can seek to recover compensation for their damages. A Massachusetts-based attorney can help these individuals establish their legal claim and he or she will fight for maximum compensation for the victim. If a settlement is reached or a jury finds in a victim’s favor, then he or she may be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
Source: CBS Boston, “Two-Car Crash Sends Minivan Plunging Into Milford Pond, One Driver Faces OUI Charge,” March 2, 2014