DUI accidents a problem despite Connecticut's ignition interlock law

April 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) DUI accidents a problem despite Connecticut's ignition interlock law

Article provided by Law Offices of Wesley Malowitz
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Four people were taken to the hospital after a recent automobile crash in Stamford. The driver of one vehicle was traveling too fast and ran a red light, hitting the other car that contained three people. The 18 year old driver allegedly had a blood alcohol level that was elevated and alcohol was located in the vehicle. If convicted, the driver will face a variety of penalties that may include having an ignition interlock placed on cars that she drives, once she is allowed to have an active license again.

The NHTSA has published statistics for 2010 showing that the rate of impairment from alcohol use is four times higher in relation to fatal crashes during the nighttime (37 percent), than it is in the daytime (9 percent). In addition, the percentage of alcohol-related fatal crashes that occur on weekends (31 percent) is nearly double the percentage that happens during weekdays (16 percent). The recent car accident in Stamford occurred on a Friday after 11:30 p.m.

According to MADD, in 2011 Connecticut joined the slowly growing ranks of other states in passing a law to require all drivers convicted of drunk driving to install an ignition interlock in vehicles they drive. The law has been in place since 2012. While this law should help to reduce repeat offenses by drivers with an elevated blood alcohol level, it cannot stop first time offenders from driving under the influence and potentially causing devastating accidents.

Victims of auto accidents may require legal assistance

People who have been injured in car accidents involving drunk drivers may require minimal medical treatment or their injuries may be devastating. It is not uncommon for people to lose their lives in automobile accidents involving drunk drivers. According to MADD, 92 drunk driving fatalities occurred in Connecticut in 2011, making up 42 percent of traffic deaths. Victims of such accidents or families of the victims may find that it is in their best interests to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to help them through the days that follow.

There are many expenses that may be related to a car accident in Connecticut, including immediate medical treatment, car repairs, ongoing physical therapy, loss of wages because of the inability to work, and so on. While many people think that the insurance company of the offender will simply make all of the necessary payments to help them get back on their feet, this is often not the case.

When the person who caused the accident has no insurance or is underinsured, there are often issues obtaining full compensation. In addition, the insurance company is frequently watching out for its own interests and wants to pay out as little as possible so that its shareholders are not impacted. An experienced personal injury attorney will work to get a settlement that is fair.

People who have been the victim of a car accident, particularly with an impaired driver, should make it a point to contact a Connecticut personal injury attorney to help them through this difficult time.