One Driver Seriously Injured, Other Driver Charged with DUI in Virginia I-95 Crash

Virginia State Police are investigating a serious DUI car crash on I-95 that resulted in both vehicles overturning and serious personal injuries to at least one victim.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning, the 32-year-old driver of a 2002 Toyota was traveling on I-95 south, near mile marker 61, when he lost control of the car and it overturned. The driver of the second vehicle, a 2018 Mercedes, was behind the Toyota when the other driver lost control but was unable to avoid the crash. Upon impact with the Toyota, the Mercedes also overturned.

The driver of the Mercedes was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Toyota was charged with driving under the influence.

Drunk Driving Accidents

According to national statistics, approximately 30 people are killed each day in alcohol-related accidents. This means that each year, more than 10,000 families lose a loved one because of a drunk driver.

In Virginia, if a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, they are considered driving under the influence. However, there have been multiple studies – which have resulted in changes to some state drunk driving laws – that show that even lower amounts of alcohol can have a serious impact on a person’s ability to safely drive their vehicle.

Yet despite all the studies – and all the needless deaths and injuries – people still continue to drink and drive, causing accidents that leave victims and their families seeking out the help of Virginia personal injury attorneys to obtain the financial compensation they deserve for all the losses their injuries cause.

Drunk Driving Accident Claims

Some of the damages that victims can seek in a drunk driving accident claim include:

  • Past, present, and future medical expenses, including medications, and medical devices
  • Past, present, and future loss of income from being unable to work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of life enjoyment
  • Permanent disability
  • Scarring
  • Disfigurement

The victim of a drunk driving accident may also be awarded punitive damages as a way to punish the drunk driver for their egregious behavior.

If the victim dies because their injuries are so severe, their family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the drunk driver. Families can pursue financial compensation for the medical bills incurred in an attempt to save the victim’s life, as well as funeral and burial expenses. A family can also be awarded damages for the loss of income, loss of benefits, and loss of companionship the victim’s death has caused.

Call Our Virginia Personal Injury Law Firm for Help

If you have been injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, contact a Virginia car accident attorney to find out how we can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Our firm has been advocating for victims and their families for more than three decades and will work diligently to get you the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case.

It is important for victims to remember that any civil case filed against the at-fault driver is separate from any criminal charges that the driver may be facing.

If your loved one was killed in a DUI crash, please contact our firm to discuss filing a wrongful death claim. Although nothing will ever make up for the death of your loved one, Virginia law does allow families to seek justice in civil court under the wrongful death statute.

At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we also offer a free wrongful death guide for families who have lost a loved one in an accident. The guide covers topics such as the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim, what types of damages can be pursued, and who can be appointed as a personal representative. Call our office today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

 

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