Virginia Fatal Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Risky and reckless driving behaviors are far more than a nuisance. For those who have lost loved ones as a result of an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, the physical, psychological, emotional, and financial repercussions may cause a lifetime of pain and suffering. A Virginia fatal drunk driving accident lawyer can discuss your options with you so you can make an informed decision on whether you may want to file a claim.
In Virginia, almost 230 lives were lost in alcohol-related car crashes in 2012, and nearly 6,000 others suffered serious injuries because of intoxicated drivers. Law enforcement in the Commonwealth is harsh on drunk and impaired drivers, and a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal offense which carries penalties which may include the following:
- costly fines
- license suspension
- mandatory use of an ignition interlock device
- alcohol safety training
- incarceration
Virginia Fatal Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Can Help
If an intoxicated driver caused an accident that took the life of someone you love, you can hold the responsible party liable for the actions that led to your injury or loss. Through skillful legal representation, a Virginia fatal drunk driving accident lawyer or wrongful death attorney can help you receive financial compensation to assist with your needs, including:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral/burial expenses
- Loss of wages/income
- Impaired quality of life
- Sorrow, mental anguish, and solace
- And more
To find out more about your rightful compensation and to get the legal help you need for a wrongful death claim, contact a Virginia fatal drunk driving accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
Alcohol-Related Motorcycle Fatalities
From a safety standpoint, motorcycle drivers are at a disadvantage on the roadways. Not only are motorcycles easily susceptible to falling into the “blind spot,” thus being unseen by nearby cars and trucks, but these vehicles also offer very little in means of protection. Unlike cars, which offer front- and side-impact airbags, seatbelts, roll bars, and other such safety mechanisms, motorcycles leave a driver exposed to bear the brunt of a vehicular impact. Regardless of the potential risks assumed by motorcyclists by their choice of vehicle alone, motorcyclists who choose to operate a motorcycle after drinking cause the risk of injury to skyrocket. In 2010, more than a quarter of the had a blood alcohol content greater than the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The lives of 78 motorcycle riders were lost in Virginia in 2012, accounting for more than 10 percent of the total traffic fatalities for the year. Approximately 7 percent of the drivers involved in more than 2,400 motorcycle crashes had been drinking just prior to taking to the road.
Zero Tolerance in the Commonwealth
Virginia employs a zero tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking. While the standard legal intoxication limit in the state is a 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC), those under age 21 are subject to DUI charges with a BAC as low as 0.02 percent, meaning even one drink can push a minor over the legal threshold of intoxication (Va. Code 18.2-266.1). Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and about one-fourth of these fatal crashes are the result of an underage alcohol-impaired driver. Fourteen Virginia teens lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in 2012, and nearly 500 others were injured, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 2012 Traffic Crash Facts report (pdf). Cracking down on underage drinking is one way the Commonwealth is attempting to reduce the number of youth fatalities on the roadway. Any traffic death is a tragedy, but when young lives are cut drastically short because of peers and other teens involved in underage drinking, the loss is particularly saddening.
