A pedestrian died after he was hit by a drunk driver on Friday, July 28th in Greensboro. Greensboro police officers responded to Creek Ridge Road in the area of the southbound US-220 exit ramp at about 10:15 p.m. after receiving reports of a serious accident.
What are my rights after losing a loved one to a drunk driver?
Once at the scene, officers located the body of 27-year-old Montel Williams who was crossing the westbound lanes of Creek Ridge Road when he was struck by a car and died at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, Mickey Osborne, 44, was charged with driving while impaired.
This accident remains under investigation by the Greensboro Police Crash Reduction Unit.
Drunk driving is against the law in the United States. If a driver under the influence causes an accident, they are subject to criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, these harsh penalties do nothing to compensate the accident victim or their surviving family members financially. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a crash caused by a drunk driver, contact a North Carolina car accident attorney at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp right away to schedule a free review of your case.
DUI Statistics for North Carolina
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Crash Data Facts Report shows that:
- In 2018, there were 11,345 drunk driving accidents in North Carolina.
- These accidents caused 7,602 injuries and 411 deaths.
- 28.5% of all car accident fatalities are caused by drunk driving accidents.
Compensation for Your Damages
Although no amount of money can ever undo the damage a drunk driver caused, a fair jury verdict or settlement can give you the monetary resources you need to cover your accident-related losses.
This can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost current and projected earnings
- Physical rehabilitation
- Pain
- Suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Damage to property
If the accident led to a wrongful death, you can also pursue damages for funeral and burial costs, loss of fellowship, loss of the decedent’s financial contributions, and more.
Our firm has decades of experience representing victims who were injured by drunk drivers. We offer all prospective clients free consultations where we will review the facts of your case and give valuable advice about the claim process. Our lawyers are skilled litigators who provide quality legal representation and will fight to ensure that you receive every penny you are entitled to.
Your Rights After a Drunk Driving Accident
North Carolina law is very clear about the criminal penalties for driving under the influence. If convicted, the driver will face numerous sanctions like fines, incarceration, mandatory alcohol recovery treatment, and the suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.
Where civil law is concerned, any victim of a drunk driver may file a claim for damages with the defendant’s insurance company for injuries, medical expenses, lost income, property damage, mental trauma, pain, suffering, and inconvenience.
The state’s personal injury laws also make it possible for DWI accident victims to seek monetary damages from the restaurant, bar, or social host that overserved the defendant.
Were You Injured by a Drunk Driver in North Carolina?
Drunk driving is a clear form of negligence. Not only did the drunk driver break the law, but they also willfully ignored the safety of everyone else on the roadway while jeopardizing the lives of innocent people. At the personal injury law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our North Carolina car accident attorneys work hard to make sure that the rights of accident victims are protected.
If you were injured or lost a family member in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, it is vital that you work with an experienced attorney. Give our law offices a call at (833) 997-1774 to schedule your free case evaluation today.