WARNING: Trying to Stop an Intoxicated Driver Could Backfire

 Posted on October 10,2016 in Personal Injury

It is hard to not feel outraged when you spot an intoxicated driver, especially considering how many lives the driver is putting at risk. You may become so irritated, in fact, that you attempt to stop him or her from driving, and thereby keep the driver from doing harm to others. Unfortunately, this Good Samaritan kind of act could actually be just as dangerous. Learn how to appropriately handle an intoxicated driver, and what your options are, should you or someone you love encounter one.

Never Try to Stop an Intoxicated Driver

While it might seem like the right thing to do in the heat of the moment, you should never attempt to stop an intoxicated driver yourself. At best, the actions of an intoxicated driver are unpredictable, and by trying to shadow the driver, pull up next to him or her, or otherwise interact with the driver can increase your risk of an accident. Moreover, these actions can also put those around you at an increased risk for an accident, injury, or death. Instead, if you spot an intoxicated driver, take down his or her license plate number and call the authorities.

If You Are Involved in an Accident

You do not have to chase an intoxicated driver to be involved in an accident with one. In fact, nearly 10,000 people are killed by drunk drivers each year, and thousands more are injured. Some of those victims are other drivers, some are passengers within the intoxicated driver’s vehicle, some are pedestrians, and still others are bicyclists, motorcyclists, or passengers in other vehicles. All of these victims have one thing in common: their lives were turned upside down by an intoxicated driver.

Though the impact that these accidents have on the lives of victims can be long-lasting, or possibly even permanent, there is legal recourse. Victims have the right to pursue compensation for any losses or injuries they have experienced. Granted, no amount of money can ever return what they have lost, but a settlement can help them offset the financial effects of a drunk driver accident, such as medical bills, final expenses, time away from work, permanent job loss, or the loss of an income from a financially contributing family member.

Contact Our DuPage County Personal Injury Lawyers

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we protect the rights and interests of accident victims. Committed to ensuring you have the time and energy you need to heal or grieve after your loss, we will handle the legal complexities of your case. Skilled and compassionate advocates, we will always pursue the most compensation possible for your situation. Schedule your consultation with our DuPage County car accident attorneys today. Call us at 630-932-9100.

Sources:

http://eastbaytimes.com/2016/09/10/good-samaritan-gone-wrong-walnut-creek-woman-has-message-for-those-trying-to-do-right/

http://cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html