Injury

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Did you know that more drunk driving accidents and arrests will happen during the days of Fiesta than any other month?

For example, in 2009, a mother who had been looking forward to taking her family to celebrate the Fiesta Parade, suddenly lost her life due to a drunk driver heading the wrong way on IH35 crashed into her car killing her according to a story in the Express-News (see story below).   Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) says that 2 out of 3 people will be impacted by a drunk driving at some time in their lifetime in the United States.   While I wish none of my friends, clients or family ever need me to help them through the legal process of a drunk driving crash, I know until we outlaw any alcohol there will always be drunk drivers in San Antonio (or elsewhere).  Over the years, I have been able to help many people who are run into and seriously hurt or killed by a drunk driver.   In some cases, it was just a once in a lifetime mistake by someone who did not take safety precautions before they drank too much and got behind the wheel.  Sometimes it was by a habitual drunk who does not care about anyone they hurt or lives they change.  Either way, drunk driving crashes can be violent and change lives.  In some past cases for example, I have been able to help a family with an insurance settlement from the car insurance of the drunk driver that has paid for medical bills, car repairs, and unfortunately even funeral expenses.  In some cases, the drunk had no insurance, no license, and no money to pay for the damage that the drunk caused.   These are the worst injustice.  But even in those situations, in some cases, I have been able to pass on valuable information to the district attorney’s office that helped secure a strong conviction against the drunk driver as some justice for the family as well as serve as a deterrence on drunk drivers.  If you plan to drive to Fiesta Events this year, and you plan to drive late hours, here is a tip:   If you are driving late at night on a highway or multi lane road, try to keep your car and driving in the middle lane or right slower lane.  Try not to stay in the left faster passing lane.   Drunk or impaired drivers who drive in the wrong lane sometimes get onto a ramp or wrong entrance and end up driving the opposite and wrong way by using and driving on your passing lane, wrongly thinking that that is their lane of travel.   It may not always work, but it is one more way to increase your chances for survival.  If you get hit by a drunk driver, it is important to call me immediately right after you call and notify your family.   No matter what time, I can get to the crash scene and make sure fast and proper investigation is undertaken such as photographs of the scene, the cars, the drunk driver’s conduct, securing witnesses to the crash.   This is important to help you in the long run.