Another New Year’s Eve has come and gone, and with it came a number of car accidents caused by drunk drivers. While it has not yet been reported how many drunk driving-related motor vehicle accidents happened between Dec. 30, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2019 in the entire state of Louisiana, it is safe to say there were quite a few. In the Lake Charles area, there were only two.
A recent news article talked about the penalties associated with a driving while impaired conviction. It talked about the thousands of dollars one might pay in penalties and legal fees to fight a DWI charge. It talked about the time one might spend in substance abuse classes. Yes, the consequences associated with a DWI conviction can be severe.
What this article failed to talk about was the cost of drunk driving on the victims of DWI-related crashes. According to AAA, such car accidents skyrocket around New Year’s. The victims of these collisions are often left with significant physical, financial and emotional damages. If victims fail to survive, the financial and emotional consequences are felt by their loved ones.
Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and, in the event of fatality, funeral expenses — it all adds up and can devastate victim’s and/or their loved ones. Thankfully, the state of Louisiana allows those who have been negatively impacted by drunk driving-related motor vehicle accidents to seek compensation for their losses. Personal injury or wrongful death claims may be filed in civil court. Through negotiations or litigation maximum relief may be achieved.