Another interesting factor that plays a role in how alcohol affects people, and one many may not think about is, is that carbonated drinks like soda or Red Bull raise blood alcohol levels faster. The gas irritates the stomach lining, which causes alcohol to be absorbed more quickly than it would be if was not mixed with a beverage containing carbon dioxide or nitrogen.
If you have had a few drinks but are not legally intoxicated, your drinking can still play a major factor if you're seriously hurt in an accident. Our firm reprsented a man who was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle and was forced to have his leg amputated. Our client's BAC was .05. Even though he wasn't driving drunk according to the law, the mere fact that he had alcohol in his system led lawyers for the at-fault driver's insurance compnany to drag their feet and delay properly compensating our client. Fortunately, the client retained our Virginia personal injury law firm, and we went to work contacting toxicology experts.
The toxicology experts told our injury attorneys that there wasn't a definitive way to determine what our client's blood alcohol concentration would have been at the time of the car-motorcycle wreck due to his serious injuries. After fighting numerous battles with the insurance attorneys for two years, we presented evidence during mediation that our experts would testify that no doctor could say with certainty what our client's BAC was at the time of the wreck. This is largely due to the fact that he suffered post-traumatic shock, acute anemia due to significant blood loss and the left leg amputation. Fortunately, this led to the case being settled for nearly half a million dollars for our client.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by the carelessness of another person or company. Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick, Jim and Randy have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law (Jim since '06, Rick since '10, and Randy since '12). This is a prestigious recognition that only 5 percent of lawyers receive.
Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA.
While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you shortly.
Car Accident Lawyers & Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Crashes Caused by Trucks
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
Railroad Injury/FELA
All Serious Injuries
Dangerous Drugs & Devices/Product Recalls