Submitted by Aiken Jacobsen on
A recent personal injury lawsuit in Ventura County just resulted in $49.2 million in damages and compensation. This story highlights the fact that drunk driving can result in a perfect storm of serious consequences. The offender faced criminal charges, personal injury liability, and wrongful death liability.
The drunk-driving car accident occurred in December of 2007. A California Highway Patrol Officer pulled over the driver of an SUV in a routine traffic stop. The officer was standing next to the vehicle talking to the stopped driver when both men were struck by a driver who was drunk and distracted behind the wheel.
The drunk driver, who also had marijuana in his possession, was distracted by two dirt bikes in the back of his truck which had come loose because they were not strapped down correctly. As a result of his distraction and his intoxication, the truck driver swerved off the road and struck both the CHP officer and the stopped driver.
The accident killed the driver of the SUV and left the officer with permanent quadriplegic paralysis. This case is a perfect example of the compound legal consequences which often accompany car accidents.
The drunk driver pleaded guilty to criminal charges and will now spend 15 years in prison. But in addition to criminal charges he faced civil litigation as well. The parents of the deceased SUV driver were awarded $10.2 million in wrongful death compensation as a result of the accident. Additionally, the jury awarded the California Highway Patrol Officer $39 million in damages.
In addition to prison time, this drunk driver is now financially ruined. However, his losses are small compared to the losses suffered by the victims of his drunk driving.
When someone chooses to drink and drive, the consequences can reach further than he ever expected. And drunk-driving car accidents can result in a perfect legal storm which takes years to sort out.
Source: LA Times online, "Ventura jury awards $49.2 million in fatal accident that paralyzed CHP officer," 27 January 2011
