Drunk Driving Deaths Charged As Murder

Every year in the United States, approximately 10,839 people die in drunk driving motor vehicle accidents. That translates roughly to one person every 50 minutes. Though many organizations are in place and designed to combat this national threat, it remains a serious issue.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), one of the most prominent organizations designed to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, the average drunk driver has driven while under the influence approximately 80 times before the first arrest. This is a truly troubling statistic.

A person does not have to be involved in a motor vehicle crash to be arrested for drunk driving. A person may be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. A person may also be arrested for DUI with a BAC lower than .08 if they are under the age of 21.

Choosing to consume alcohol before driving is choosing to endanger yourself and everyone else who may be near your path, including pedestrians.

In New York, in late 2010, a two-car motor vehicle crash resulted in the death of a 57 year old woman. The victim was the passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a drunk driver. The car crash resulted in one fatality and two people seriously injured.

The inebriated driver was said to have been traveling at high speeds when he collided with the other vehicle. In this particular case, the reckless driver was convicted of driving while intoxicated, second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and multiple counts of vehicular assault. The driver faces a potential life sentence.

The driver was convicted of multiple accounts of manslaughter due to his “depraved indifference to human life.” All those who choose to drink and drive demonstrate a similar disregard.

It is up to each individual to make the smart choice about drinking and driving. If you plan to drink, always have a designated driver, safe transportation, or a place to stay. Nothing is worth risking your life, life in prison, or taking life away from another.

Drunk driving often results in a variety of injuries.The injuries depend on several factors, such as the speed of the vehicles involved, the individuals involved, and the types of vehicles involved.

Some examples of injuries resulting from drunk driving motor vehicle crashes include:

• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Broken and fractured bones, including collar bones
• Damage to internal organs
• Death

Many of these injuries may cause vast changes in life style. Those who survive these traumatic events often face long term, or lifelong, medication and rehabilitation. Many injuries may require rigorous physical therapy courses in order to regain lost mobility. Some may never regain the mobility they once had.

Also, there are many mental health issues that may result from a drunk driving motor vehicle crash. Automobile crashes are often very traumatic events, meaning that individuals may develop symptoms of an anxiety disorder, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is not uncommon for car crash survivors to develop anxiety or fear about driving or being inside an automobile. Medications and therapy may be required in order for the individual to be able to leave the house and maintain employment. If a person dies in a car crash, those who survive may also develop signs of survivor’s guilt.

If you or a loved one has been injured, or a loved one has been killed in a drunk driving car crash, contact the New York car accident and personal injury lawyers of David Resnick & Associates, PC.

Aggressive, successful representation of the injured by attorneys who care.

Please call (212) 279-2000 or fill out our convenient online contact form.

These Hubs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.