A New Mexico State Police officer may feel lucky to be alive after being involved in a violent collision in Hobbes, New Mexico on June 29. The officer was in his vehicle on the side of Highway 62, performing a routine traffic stop just before 6:15 P.M., when a drunk driver smashed into the back of the officer’s patrol car. According to one report, the car was nearly destroyed, and the officer was airlifted to a nearby hospital and admitted in critical condition. The vehicle that had been stopped by the police officer was also hit in the accident. The driver of that vehicle luckily only suffered minor injuries.
New Mexico drunk driving accidents cause hundreds of injuries and deaths every year. In addition, Driving Under the Influence arrests are a leading cause of arrest in the state. In New Mexico, a driver is considered intoxicated if the concentration of alcohol in their bloodstream, or blood alcohol content (BAC), is .08% or higher. Drivers caught driving at or above this amount can be prosecuted for DUI. When a drunk driver causes an accident that results in property damage, injury, or death, he or she can face additional criminal charges, as well as civil liability for the damage caused.
Civil Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents
Victims of drunk driving accidents and their families often face significant expenses in the aftermath of an serious or fatal New Mexico drunk driving accident. Hospital expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages, and permanent injuries can financially cripple a victim, and drunk drivers can be held responsible for the damage that they cause. An accident victim or the affected family can file a New Mexico personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver that caused the accident, and they may be able to recover damages in addition to any compensation offered by the insurance companies. The New Mexico legal system is designed to protect the victims of others’ wrongdoing, and drunk drivers need to be held responsible for the damage that their dangerous conduct causes.
Have You Been Injured in a New Mexico Drunk Driving Accident?
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident involving a drunk driver, a consultation with a skilled New Mexico DUI accident attorney can make a difference in helping you to receive full compensation for the damages caused by the accident. At the Fine Law Firm, we have years of experience holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions. All of our clients are represented to the highest standard, and we can help seek the results that you need and deserve. The Fine Law Firm represents clients in a variety of New Mexico personal injury cases, including drunk driving accidents. Give our experience a try and schedule a free consultation today. Call us at (585)889-3463 or contact us on our website.
More Blog Posts:
Distracted Driver Causes Crash on Interstate 25 That Leaves One Dead, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 5, 2014.
New Mexico Supreme Court Finds That Lack of Foreseeability Does Not Prevent a Premises Liability Claim from Going to Trial, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, May 20, 2014.