Earlier this week in California, a man was arrested for murder for his involvement in the motorcycle accident death of another 23-year-old man. According to a report by CBS, the victim was in the armed services and had just returned from a tour in Afghanistan.
Apparently, the motorcyclist was hit by the driver, who was driving a Mini Cooper, shortly after 1 a.m. After colliding with the motorcyclist the driver did not stop and check to see if the motorcyclist needed help. Instead he fled the scene of the accident.
It was not until later that evening, after a Taco Bell employee called police reporting a belligerent customer, that police caught up with the driver of the Mini Cooper. When police attempted to pull the driver over, he led them on a short chase, before he allegedly crashed into a telephone pole as a fence. He then led officers on a foot chase, which resulted in his eventual capture.
The driver was arrested and charged with murder as well as vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. He admitted to police that he had consumed five whisky cocktails that evening. He also admitted that he is a recovering heroin addict who takes prescription medication daily to cope with the symptoms of withdrawal and knew that he should not have been drinking alcohol while on the medication.
DUI Accidents in Maryland
Drinking and driving is a serious cause of fatal traffic accidents in Maryland. In fact, in 2012, there were about 160 deaths caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Over half of these accidents occurred when the driver at fault was intoxicated at about twice the legal limit. In no case is a drunk driver more terrifying than when you are on a motorcycle.
Because there is such a problem with drinking and driving in Maryland, police, prosecutors, and judges are taking the crime very seriously. In fact, aside from the civil penalties that DUI offenders face, they can also be held liable to their victims in civil courts for the injuries and damage they caused.
Civil Suits Based on DUI Accidents
Drunk driving accident victims are entitled to recover for their injuries, including past medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, as well as for any pain and suffering caused by the accident. In order to recover, Maryland plaintiffs must prove that the other driver was at least negligent in causing the accident that resulted in the injuries tot eh plaintiff. In the case if drinking and driving, this is often easily met because there are lows proscribing the dangerous conduct, making the behavior negligent per se.
Have You Been Involved in a Maryland DUI Accident?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Maryland DUI accident, you should speak to a Maryland accident attorney as soon as possible. At the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers., the skilled and dedicated personal injury attorneys have years of collective experience litigating cases on behalf of injured Marylanders. To find out more about the Maryland laws that protect accident victims and allow them to recover from drunk and otherwise negligent drivers click here or call 410-654-3600 today.
More Blog Posts:
Minneapolis Motorcyclist Killed When He Strikes a Pothole , Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published March 19, 2014.
Motorcyclist Killed When He Was Cut Off By SUV in North Carolina, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published March 11, 2014.