Between the years 2003-2012, about 1,254 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in New Mexico. On a national scale, 1.9% of people over 30 days reported that they drove after drinking too much. In New Mexico, this percentage was 1.2%. This means that many accidents cause injuries to drivers every year on New Mexico’s roads due to dangerous drunk driving. No matter precautions are taken in these states, sometimes it isn’t enough. People continue to get behind the wheel drunk every day, causing serious injuries or even death in other drivers. Have you been injured in a drunk driving accident and you aren’t sure where to turn?
Getting the Police Involved in Your Accident
After an accident that brings serious injuries, you should always contact the police so that they can make a police report regarding your accident. They will do so after inspecting the many details of your accident. The police or yourself may suspect that something is wrong and will ask 1 or more of the involved drivers if they have been drinking. Sometimes, alcohol containers will be in plain sight, while other times the driver’s eyes will show signs of impairment.
Serious Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
If you were a victim of a serious drunk driving crash and you were lucky enough to survive the accident, you know that it can be an uphill climb when you are attempting to receive the compensation you deserve in your case. Some people will find it impossible to return to work and enjoy the once-normal life they had, sustaining serious and permanent injuries that will have a major impact on their lives. Some of the most common injuries that occur in drunk driving accidents include the following:
- Spinal injuries that lead to nerve damage or paralysis in the most severe cases
- Leg and knee injuries from side-impact collisions
- Neck injuries when the neck is most vulnerable in an accident, which can lead to damages in the throat or whiplash
- Chest injuries such as broken bones in the chest
- Brain injuries with lasting effects
Have you been injured by another party who decided to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car? You may have a claim for compensation for your lasting injuries. The best way to receive the compensation you deserve is moving forward with a claim with the help of your attorney and gathering the right evidence in your case to show a driver breached their duty of care to you and decided to drive drunk.
Multiple Parties
The issue with drunk driving accidents is that there could be multiple parties. Liability is not always as cut and dry as it seems. For instance, what happens if a vendor decides to sell a minor alcohol and then they decide to get behind the wheel of a car? If an accident resulted, both the minor and the vendor could be liable for your injuries because the vendor failed to check I.D. and continued to sell alcohol to an intoxicated minor. Negligence falls onto the parties that have acted in a reckless manner in these cases.
Have you been injured in a serious drunk driving accident and you aren’t sure where to turn? Legal representation is the best place to start, offering you a streamlined process that will get you the compensation you deserve. To gain the best start in your drunk driving claim, call an experienced attorney today.