Drunk driving is a serious problem that continues to plague New York roadways, as well as many others throughout the nation. Incidents range in severity from minor fender benders involving motorists whose blood alcohol content levels were barely over the legal limit to utter tragedies involving highly intoxicated drivers that result in fatalities. A man recently pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter regarding an accident that happened last summer. This type of situation often leads to wrongful death lawsuits.
Part of the problem in choosing to drink and drive is that cognitive abilities, reaction times and other necessary skills for safe driving can become greatly impaired. Such seems to have been the case when one man’s car suddenly crashed head-on into another on an August night. In fact, prosecutors say the man’s blood alcohol content level was more than three times what the state allows while driving.
Both motorists were rushed to a hospital after the collision. The drunk driver is the only one who survived. In addition to pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter, he also entered guilty pleas for driving while intoxicated and various other traffic violations. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April where he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Separate from any criminal charges filed after drunk driving accidents in New York, bereaved families often file wrongful death claims in civil court. When successfully litigated, such a claim can provide monetary compensation to cover funeral expenses and other exorbitant costs associated with a particular loss. Acting on behalf of a lost loved one is usually an emotionally traumatic experience, which is why many families choose to rely on experienced legal representation in court.
Source: NBC New York, “Yonkers Man Pleads Guilty in Deadly DWI Collision“, Ashley Domagola, Accessed on March 9, 2017
