Drunk Driving Accident Injures Passengers Near Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced car accident lawyer. Recently, two passengers suffered severe injuries in a single vehicle accident allegedly caused by a drunk driver. The collision occurred at approximately 5:50 in the morning along Merced Falls Road in the vicinity of Highway 59 just north of Merced where a Honda Civic veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree. The Honda driver reported minor injuries while his front seat passenger suffered a rib fracture, facial lacerations, and a broken leg and his rear passenger sustained a dental injury. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the Honda driver, identified as an 18-year-old Merced man, was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.
Drunk Driving Accidents
A drunk driving accident is considered as a traffic collision caused by alcohol-related driving behavior. These accidents are responsible for roughly a third of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Many of these drunk drivers tend to be repeat offenders. Although injury and/or death are not only inflicted on drunk drivers, they may also affect innocent passengers, motorists, and pedestrians on the road. Any individual that causes a car accident while under the influence of alcohol is considered negligent and can be held responsible for damages incurred. For more details, contact an experienced attorney.
Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents
Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in a drunk driving accident include:
- Bone Fractures: In cases of fractures to the bones, returning motion to the injured limb may require resetting, casting, and rehabilitation. With more severe bone fractures, such as dental damage, surgery may be necessary. Any type of bone fracture can mean long periods of time away from work, which can result in high wage loss;
- Brain Injuries: These are complex and may vary from a concussion or traumatic brain injury to a skull fracture or subdural hematoma. Even though some injuries, such as concussions, may require rest to receive relief, others, like the pooling of blood causing pressure to the brain, may need surgery to address the complication;
- Spinal Cord Injury: Bones of the spinal column may tear through or impinge on the spinal cord during a drunk driving accident. Depending on the severity of the injury, an individual may experience a loss of movement or sensation. When a spinal cord injury is severe in nature, paralysis may result. This may require extended periods of recuperation followed by surgical intervention, which can reach up to $1 million based on prior studies. The average cost of long-term treatment of these injuries can range from $50,000 to over $100,000 annually, which varies upon the extent of the damage;
- Upper and Lower Extremity Injury: The arms and legs are susceptible to injury in most types of car accidents. An impact can result in the lower legs and knees being propelled into the steering column or dashboard which can cause a fracture with enough force. Chronic pain may result from post-traumatic osteoarthritis to the ankles and knees.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Passengers have little to no control over the outcome of a motor vehicle accident. However, these parties are often left with significant injuries and mounting damages such as time lost from work, medical bills, and other related expenses. These situations can be compounded when the driver responsible for the accident was a friend or relative of the injured passenger. During these challenging times, it is essential to discuss your options with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Merced. A skilled attorney understands the importance of an individual’s focus on recuperating after their accident and moving a claim forward to recover fair compensation on their behalf.
Merced Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced car accident lawyer. Motor vehicle accidents can occur in a variety of situations and have the potential to cause severe injury or even death to those involved. If a car accident has injured you or your loved one, I am here to provide you with free, friendly legal advice on your situation. Please feel free to give me a call any time at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
To read comments and ratings by my former clients and peers, click on the following pages:
I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates as a member of the California chapter. Membership of this forum is permitted to trial attorneys with a past trial verdict or settlement worth $1 million or more for a client.
Browse my Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Credit: By “energepic.com” via Pexels
:ds [cs 775] cv