There is a clear reason why driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is illegal; a person driving under the influence is in no way in full control of their vehicle. It’s no surprise therefore why so many accidents are caused as a result of a driver under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, and it’s the time of year when police step up their game to catch the Christmas and New Year law breakers.
And the results of a road traffic accident involving drink or drugs are often devastating, and sadly fatal.
The BBC have reported of the story of a teenager left paralysed after a crash that killed three other teenagers due to the driver being under the influence of alcohol (source).
It’s a tragic story that has prematurely ended the lives of three youngsters and seriously devastated the life of the surviving teenager Stacey Williams who has been left tetraplegic as a result of the accident. The driver, Richard Brown, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mr Brown reportedly lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree with the teenage passengers in the car with him travelling on the A5 at Menai Bridge, Wales. The surviving teenager and her father have screened a video discussing the devastating effects of driving under the influence of alcohol as part of the Christmas drink-drive campaign launched annually by Welsh police forces. Family members of the teenagers who sadly lost their lives in the accident are also taking part in the campaign.
According to the report the Welsh Deputy First Minister and Economy and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has stated that drivers under the influence account for once sixth of all road deaths in the country; a staggering statistic!
If you have been the victim of a road traffic accident involving a driver under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, you are more than likely eligible to claim the compensation you are legally entitled to.
All drivers have a duty of care to other road users to ensure their driving does not result in another person coming to harm. A person under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is negligent in this duty of carer and liable to compensate anyone they injure!
The consequences, as clearly seen in this article, can be absolutely devastating! It’s therefore so important to ensure you get the right legal representation from an independent specialist personal injury solicitors firm such as ourselves.
Only an independent expert personal injury solicitor can give you the right advice and bring your case to a successful conclusion, and win you the compensation you are entitled to.
