One of the most dangerous things a person can do is drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s especially frustrating when you or a loved one get hurt in one of these accidents, because not only is it entirely preventable, but often the intoxicated driver escapes relatively unharmed.
A 59-year-old man was arrested for vehicular assault after he swerved into oncoming traffic on North-Elk Chattaroy Road on the afternoon of March 17, 2024 per a story from Fox 28.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies say that the man was believed to be impaired when his car ran off the road, where he then overcorrected, crossed both lanes and stopped on the shoulder. As he re-entered the roadway, another driver was unable to avoid him and was injured in the resulting collision.
SCSO deputies say the man showed obvious signs of being impaired and blew a .203 on a portable breath test. His blood was taken for additional testing, and he was charged with felony vehicular assault. He was later released on his own recognizance.
What Happens During a DUI Accident?
As the story above shows, sharing the road with someone who is driving while intoxicated is very challenging. There’s a chance that the accident you’ll be in is minor, but more often than not, these accidents are more severe because the person that’s driving under the influence is going faster, has severely limited vision, and poor reaction time. This is a recipe for many different kinds of car accidents, like:
- Rear-end collisions – These happen when a driver under the influence tailgates or fails to stay alert, resulting in a crash with the vehicle in front.
- Head-on collisions – Impaired vision from alcohol can lead drivers to veer into oncoming lanes or drive against traffic on one-ways, causing head-on collisions with other vehicles.
- Sideswipes and t-bone accidents – Drunk drivers might ignore stop signs or lights, colliding with vehicles with the right of way, often causing severe side-impact crashes.
- Rollovers – Difficulty in judging speed and controlling their vehicle often causes drunk drivers to lose control and overcorrect, resulting in rollover accidents that are highly dangerous.
- Accidents with pedestrians or bicyclists – Intoxicated drivers pose a serious risk to pedestrians and cyclists as they may not see them, leading to serious injuries or even death.
No matter the type, drunk driving accidents can have dire consequences for you or others involved. Not only do you have to deal with short-term injuries, there’s also long-term consequences from the psychological trauma. Like any other car accident, though, it’s important to report the accident to police so they can respond, and also to get medical care as soon as you can. Then you can start thinking about your legal options.
Spokane DUI Accident Victims Can Count on CCD Law
DUI accidents harm not only victims but also their families emotionally and physically. If you’ve been in one, it’s important to know your legal options.
Since 1948, CCD Law’s Spokane car accident lawyers have helped those hurt in these types of accidents.. We’re experienced in getting a fair result for our clients, covering their damages like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death expenses for surviving family members
Don’t wait to get the help and support you need. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
