WHEELING DUI ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Here in Wheeling and throughout the state, our residents and visitors have more access to rides for hire than ever before. We have our usual public transportation options such as buses and taxi-cabs; we also have rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft, and even pedicabs are becoming more common in our state. It is now as simple as opening an app and making a request to get a ride when you need one, so why are we still seeing DUI accidents? These should not be happening in our state or anywhere else.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

In 2016, there were over 10,000 people killed in accidents that involved drunk drivers across the country. In the state of West Virginia, there were 269 fatalities. 80 of those fatalities involved drivers whose blood alcohol content was over .01% and 68 fatalities involved drivers with blood alcohol content over .08%.

In addition to drunk driving, we also have a problem with drugged driving which is increasing according to a recent Governors Highway Safety Association report. Our Wheeling DUI Accident attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman do not need a report to tell us that drug related car accidents are on the rise because we have seen an increase in these cases ourselves. West Virginia has recently stepped up efforts to train more of its law enforcement officers in impaired driving so that they can better spot and assess drivers who are impaired by drugs.

PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGES

• Injuries and damages may include recovery for economic damages such as property damage, lost income, and medical bills. You may also recover from lost future income if your ability to work is limited or you are unable to work due to the accident. Recovery for noneconomic damages may include losses such as pain, suffering, disfigurement, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium.
• In the case of death there are two actions commonly brought:
  • Survival actions – Survival actions may be brought when the defendant lived for a period of time after the accident and the recovery includes injuries and damages that he or she suffered such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  • Wrongful death claim – Wrongful death claims are made on behalf of the decedent’s close family members to recover for their damages sustained as a result of losing the decedent. Wrongful death recoveries may include loss of affection, loss of financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and mental anguish.
• Punitive damages may be recoverable when a plaintiff can show that the defendant exhibited a conscious, reckless indifference to the health, safety, and welfare of others.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by an impaired driver, contact our DUI accident team to schedule a consultation. Our attorneys are aggressive advocates for our DUI accident victims and we want to see that you get the financial recovery you deserve. We also want to see that the person who made the choice to endanger you, your family, and everyone else on the road is held accountable.