A Charlotte couple has received a $1.7 million jury verdict after being involved in a drunk driving accident that occurred nearly two years ago that hospitalized them for months and killed their unborn son.
The couple was driving down Providence road on Octorber 29, 2010 when a 1997 Volvo driving crashed into their SUV.
The driver of the Volvo had just left a local pub in the Cotswold area of Charlotte. He had been served the equivalent of 15 drinks and had a blood alcohol level of .23, almost three times the legal limit in NC. After leaving the pub, the he drove his Volvo down Providence road at a speed estimated at over 100 miles per hour in the 45 mph speed zone.
The man driving the Volvo was killed at the scene of the crash. The woman, six months pregnant, was riding in the SUV with her husband and lost her un-born child due to the crash. Both she and her husband spent months in the hospital with critical injuries.
Last week the couple won a civil lawsuit against the establishment that served the drunk driver before the fatal crash.
According to the couple, it’s not about the money, but ensuring that establishments that serve alcohol make changes in how they deal with serving customers who are intoxicated. While North Carolina does have laws against serving customers who are intoxicated, there is no training to teach employees to recognize sings of intoxication.
In 2009, a staggering 10,839 fatalities occurred in traffic collisions that involved a driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. This accounted for 32 percent of traffic fatalities that year. It’s never worth it to drink and drive and it is always safer to call a reliable cab service or a friend. If you know you will be having a couple drinks, arrange for safe transportation before hand.
Taking the right precautions can make the difference of life or death. However, even the most vigilant drivers can be involved in a serious accident. When you or someone you love has been involved in a serious accident, the DUI Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower can be there to assist you on your path to recovery. We can investigate all aspects of the accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free. Hire the best accident attorneys with whom you and your loved ones can invest the most confidence.