A 19-year-old Connecticut woman was arrested last month after she collided with a man on a scooter while driving her car on a state highway near New London, Connecticut. The rider was ejected from his scooter, suffered serious injuries, and remains hospitalized in critical condition. According to a local news report, the driver of the car remained at the scene of the accident and appeared intoxicated when police and emergency officials arrived. Evidently, she was charged with DUI and released on a promise to appear. Although her current charges do not incorporate the serious injury that she caused to the motorcyclist, prosecutors may decide to press more serious charges, especially if new evidence is uncovered or the victim’s condition worsens.
Drunk Drivers Are a Danger to Everyone on the Road, Especially to Motorcyclists and Scooter Riders
Thousands of people are killed every year in alcohol-related road accidents. Although most drunk driving injuries are suffered by people in cars and trucks, motorcyclists are at a greater danger individually than people in other vehicles.
Any motorcycle or scooter enthusiast knows that other drivers sometimes fail to notice them or yield the right of way. Alcohol intoxication is described by the World Health Organization as causing symptoms that include loss of coordination, reduction in motor and visual abilities, delayed reaction time, and poor judgment. All of these effects of alcohol make the dangers motorcyclists face from cars even worse. A drunk driver with impaired judgment and delayed reaction time may decide not to check her mirrors before changing lanes or may drive at excessive speeds and without regard for others on the road. Motorcyclists and other two-wheeled vehicle riders must be vigilant to always look out for other drivers who are driving dangerously and may be drunk.
Not All Accidents Can Be Avoided
No matter how vigilant a motorcyclist is, there is always a chance that they will be hit by another vehicle and injured or even killed. The drivers of cars and trucks have a legal responsibility to exercise due care for other drivers on the road, considering the circumstances. This requires drivers to behave more carefully around a motorcyclist or bicyclist than they would need to be if there were only trucks and SUVs around. Drivers who fail to uphold their duty and negligently cause an accident may be held accountable for damages.
A Civil DUI Case For Damages after an Injury
When many drivers talk about a DUI, they are referring to the criminal charge that is pursued against drunk drivers by municipal or state prosecutors when they are arrested for DUI by a law enforcement officer. A second type of DUI case occurs when an innocent victim is injured by the negligent or reckless conduct of a drunk driver and seeks damages from them or their auto insurance company to compensate them for the costs and losses suffered from the crash.
Accident victims may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disfigurement or disability, property damage, long-term care, and other costs related to a DUI accident, including emotional distress and pain and suffering. Anyone who has been a victim of a drunk driver should seek legal advice and evaluate if they have a personal injury claim. Innocent passengers who are hurt by the dangerous conduct of a drunk driver may be entitled to seek damages and hold the driver responsible for their conduct.
How to Find a Maryland Motorcycle DUI Accident Victim’s Attorney?
If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a Maryland motorcycle crash that may have involved another driver who was intoxicated, you may have a strong case for compensation against the other party. With the help of the qualified Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. motorcycle accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, you can effectively seek the compensation you deserve. We can do the leg work and help negotiate a settlement or prepare for a trial to pursue what you deserve. Call us toll-free at 1-800-654-1949 or contact us online and schedule a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Motorcyclist and Traffic Fatalities Increase in Maryland and Across United States, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 6, 2016.
Motorcycle Passenger Killed in Head-On Collision with Drunk Driver, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published November 17, 2016.