New Hampshire Injury Lawyer Blog
People may assume that the risk presented by drunk drivers in New Hampshire is only something to be worried about at night. The truth is that intoxicated drivers can be present on our state’s roads at all hours of the day and night. A recent fatal accident involving a Massachusetts woman driving a BMW who struck and killed a motorcyclist in broad daylight appears to be alcohol-related, as the New Hampshire State Police recently announced DUI charges against the driver of the BMW.
According to a Boston-area news report discussing the accident, the woman driving the BMW failed to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist at an intersection and struck the man with her vehicle. Police and a fire department crew responded to the scene of the accident, and the motorcyclist was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead as a result of the trauma suffered in the crash. The driver of the BMW, who also had a minor in her car at the time of the crash, was arrested and charged with DUI and child endangerment crimes.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs is a serious offense, and it puts the intoxicated driver, their passengers, and other motorists in real danger. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are placed in even more danger by the nature of their vehicles. The criminal penalties for drunk driving in New Hampshire can be quite severe, especially for aggravated or subsequent offenses. Criminal punishment is not always enough to compensate an accident victim for their loss. New Hampshire drivers who choose to operate their vehicles while intoxicated open themselves up to serious civil liability in the event that they hurt someone in a crash.
A victim who has been hurt by a drunk driver is entitled to make a civil claim for damages, that would go above and beyond any restitution that the victim may have received as part of the criminal proceeding. Although restitution is to be paid out from the guilty party’s personal finances, a personal injury claim may be covered by the driver’s auto insurance, which can allow accident victims to collect the money they are owed, even if the other driver is financially insolvent. Anyone who has been hurt or lost a family member in a New Hampshire drunk driving accident should seek competent legal counsel to assist them with making a claim.
Have You Been Hurt in a Crash?
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a New Hampshire auto accident caused by drunk driving or any other reason, the New Hampshire personal injury and auto accident lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates may be able to help. Our qualified injury attorneys have secured substantial settlement and verdict awards for previous clients, and we will work our hardest to do the same for you. We represent clients throughout New England in a variety of negligence cases, including New Hampshire auto accidents. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call us at 1-800-804-2004 or reach out to us through our website.