Motorists who get behind the wheel when they have been consuming alcohol run the risk of being pulled over by law enforcement officers, or worse, harming themselves or others. Alcohol can cause drivers to have slower reflexes, vision impairment, and other issues, which could increase their chances of being involved in an auto accident.
A man in Connecticut was reportedly critically injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in 2011. There were no details released regarding the specific injuries he sustained, however, it was reported that he required multiple surgeries. The car the man was a passenger in rolled multiple times after being hit by the car driven by a woman who was purportedly under the influence of alcohol. The driver of the vehicle the man was riding in was killed.
According to reports, the woman was charged with DUI, assault, and manslaughter for her role in the fatal drunk driving accident. She reportedly issued a no contest plea and received a six-year prison sentence. It remains unknown to the public whether or not the sentence included the possibility for parole.
The surviving victim, as well as the family of the woman who was killed, could choose to file a civil lawsuit against the driver at-fault. In the case of the man who was injured, he likely incurred significant medical bills and may have had a lengthy recovery, which could have kept him from working. A civil lawsuit would seek financial compensation for undue medical expenses that resulted from the drunk driving accident, as well as lost wages.
Source: Previously published article by NBC Connecticut, “Drunk Driver Sentenced in Fatal 2011 Crash”, Aug. 23, 2013
