An auto accident because of a driver who was allegedly under the influence can cause significant damage. People can be injured and lose their lives in the aftermath of this type of collision. Ironically, these accidents can hurt people whose job it is to investigate a DUI crash or help those who have been injured. That includes law enforcement officers and other first responders. After a car crash, the aftermath can be costly in multiple ways. A legal filing might be necessary to recover compensation.
An alleged driver committing a DUI crashed into a police vehicle. The accident happened shortly after 7 p.m. The alleged DUI driver, 42, was heading east. At the same time, the 32-year-old law enforcement officer was driving north. The DUI driver ran a stop sign and hit the side of the cruiser. The officer was taken to the hospital for his injuries.
The driver was investigated and found to have trouble standing straight. His speech was slurred and investigators smelled alcohol when talking to him. He failed sobriety tests and his blood-alcohol content registered 0.171 – more than twice the legal limit. In addition, he had two previous arrests for DUI and was driving with a suspended license. He was arrested.
Injuries in an auto accident may leave a person hospitalized and saddled with medical bills for treatment. Head injuries, back injuries, broken bones and other challenges are common. It can hinder their ability to work at the same job they did before and they could face financial and personal hardship because of it. If it was a person who was in a physically taxing job like law enforcement, construction or as a first responder, their livelihood could be threatened. Even those with relatively sedentary jobs could have problems working. For assistance with the financial and personal aspects of an auto accident, a legal filing may be necessary.
The officer in this crash was said to have minor injuries, but anytime a person is in an auto collision, there could be long-term damage that takes time to manifest. The circumstances can be essential to a legal filing and that can include the other driver being drunk. Before accepting a settlement from an insurer, it may be wise to consult with a legal firm experienced in helping people after car accidents. This can be useful to recover compensation in a lawsuit or to negotiate a sufficient settlement for all that was lost.
