This summer, Anchorage released a devastating statistic: four alcohol-related traffic deaths in two months.
An article in the Alaska Dispatch describes some of the aftermath of legal proceedings following the death of two teenage girls. The fact that the state pursues criminal charges against an impaired driver does not bar either girl’s family from also pursuing a civil action for wrongful death, any medical bills assessed prior to the girls’ deaths, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. If they had lived, the families would be able to file civil suits for personal injury.
What happens if an intoxicated driver strikes someone that you know–a friend, a family member, or even you? These incidents highlight how another person’s recklessness behind the wheel can financially, physically and emotionally damage another person’s life. Unfortunately, events like these are not entirely uncommon in Alaska. Sometimes, even while struggling to move on, pressure to settle quickly or admit fault can leave a person feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.
Beyond the loss and grief in an unthinkable situation, families need help to deal with the medical bills, lost time from work, and other mounting debt resulting from a catastrophic injury.
That’s where consulting a personal injury attorney—one who works with holding drivers responsible for DUI—can mean the difference between struggling alone and having the ability to move forward with a plan.
If you become injured as a result of someone else’s impaired driving, the state authorities may prosecute the driver for DUI. But don’t forget your option to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to navigate the system of insurance claims and their defenses, medical terminology, and the legal system at the same time.
As an experienced auto accident injury attorney in Anchorage, Alaska, we ask that if you have been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, contact someone who can help immediately.
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