5-Car Accident in Daviess County Kentucky Injures Two
On Wednesday afternoon, November 16, 2022, a 5-car accident occurred in Daviess County Kentucky sending two to the hospital with injuries. Apparently, the accident started when a vehicle crossed the centerline on US Highway 231 and struck a semi and then struck a passenger car head-on. The driver of the vehicle causing the accident and the driver of the vehicle hit head-on were seriously injured and sent to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital for treatment. There is an indication that alcohol may be involved in the cause of this crash.
What happens if someone is DUI at the time of a car accident?
As you might imagine, if someone is driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs at the time they cause a car, truck or motorcycle accident, they will be criminally prosecuted and may lose their license for a period of time. If the injuries from the accident are severe or any of the accident victims die as a result of their injuries, then negligent homicide or other more serious criminal punishment may be waiting for the DUI driver. Similar prosecution may exist for someone guilty of texting and driving at the time of the accident.
In addition to criminal penalties, the DUI driver will be subject to civil claims for damages and the fact that they were DUI at the time of the accident will elevate the value of the personal injury claims resulting from the accident. The DUI driver will also be subject to a punitive damages award and, generally speaking, his or her insurance company will likely have an exclusion in their policy for punitive claims. This means that any award by a jury for punitive damages would have to be paid out of the pocket or the DUI driver and not their insurance company.
How to avoid DUI driving
In today's world where a click of a smart phone can arrange an uber or similar transportation, it is easier to avoid DUI driving. However, when people are under the influence of alcohol and drugs, their decision making is impaired and, therefore, we still have a significant problem with DUI driving in our society. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol and taking drugs is glorified in our society and has been for many years. People use peer pressure to make people take drugs and alcohol and it is glorified by advertisements we see on television and our smart phones. Although driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not glorified in our society, once someone is under the influence it is difficult to make good decisions.
How to avoid DUI drivers
If you are driving behind another vehicle and it is weaving back and forth that may be a sign that someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and you should choose another route to avoid them. Calling 911 would be a good decision to prevent them from hurting someone else. You should always be on the lookout for erratic driving. When you are going through an intersection on a green light, always be looking at the other vehicles approaching the intersection to make sure they are slowing down. DUI drivers and texting drivers frequently drive through red lights.
In addition to using your observation powers to locate DUI drivers, it is prudent to avoid driving when DUI drivers are typically on the roadways. New Years eve is not a good time to be driving. Late at night is a bad time to be driving. Most of the DUI accidents occur at night and especially late at night as DUI drivers attempt to return home.
Check to see if you have undersinsured motorist coverage
The victim in this Daviess county accident has serious injuries and will have a significant claim. It is very likely that the at-fault driver will not have enough insurance to fully compensate the victim, and, therefore, it will be important for there to be underinsured motorist benefits available.
Contact Kentucky Auto Accident Attorney
The circumstances in the above accident will require the services of an experienced Kentucky auto accident attorney to investigate and locate all available evidence to determine liability and to maximize all benefits available to the victim. Matthew Troutman, Kentucky auto accident lawyer, of the Troutman Law Office has been handling auto accident claims, almost exclusively, since 1986 and has the experience and talent to obtain the best result for the victim in the above car accident.
If you need legal assistance due to a motor vehicle accident, contact Kentucky auto accident attorney Matthew Troutman directly at 859-696-0001 or 502-648-9507 and he will meet with you in the hospital, your home or wherever is convenient for you. He will give you direct access through his cell phone and guide you through the difficult process necessary to obtain the best result possible for you in your car accident claim. To learn more about the Troutman Law Office, click here.