Intoxicated Driver Causes Fatal Wreck
Toxicology reports show that a twenty-nine year-old driver had a BAC of nearly three times the legal limit at the time he started traveling the wrong direction on the highway, leading to a fatal accident. The intoxicated driver was actually spotted driving erratically earlier in the evening by a law enforcement officer, but when the officer turned his blue lights on, the driver reportedly began to drive in an extremely reckless manner in an effort to evade the authorities. This led the officer to turn off his blue lights, fearing that continuing the chase would endanger the lives of other drivers. Unfortunately, this action did not eliminate the danger the intoxicated driver posed to others, as he then began traveling in the wrong direction down Highway 52, eventually hitting another motorist head-on. The intoxicated driver was found dead at the scene, and the victim later died at the hospital.
Situations like this serve to underscore the danger that drivers pose to themselves and others when they drive under the influence. Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, or otherwise unfit to drive, is negligent conduct that can give rise to liability in a personal injury lawsuit in Tennessee. In this situation, the driver, had he lived through the accident, would have been liable for much more than just the medical expenses of the victim, although they can be substantial. He likely would also have been liable for the wrongful death of the victim, which can lead to a large amount of liability if the victim has dependents, such as a spouse or children.
Tennesseans who find themselves or their families being the victims in alcohol-related accidents deserve to recover for all of the injuries they suffer as a result of the collision. Such recovery includes the types listed above as well as a possible punitive damages award if the conduct of the offending driver is found to have been sufficiently reckless or malicious by a jury. A skilled personal injury attorney can help victims recover for what they have lost as a result of such accidents.
Source: http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=144129&catid=57
