If you were injured by a drunk driver – or if someone you love was hurt – you may feel like you’re all alone. The police want the facts, and the insurance company wants a statement, but neither bureaucracy really knows or cares what you’re going through.
However, the truth is that you’re not alone. Too many individuals and families in West Virginia can personally relate to the pain and grief you’re experiencing. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over a nine-year span, 1,092 West Virginians were killed in drunk driving crashes. The number of people injured in such accidents was far higher.
Talk To Others In Your Situation
Finding a support group can make a real difference when trying to cope with the effects of the accident. Talking with other victims and their families can ease the feeling of isolation that you may be experiencing.
Many support services are available in West Virginia and nationwide, including MADD, which assisted more than 119,000 victims of drunk or drugged drivers in 2014 alone.
Help Hold The Wrongdoer Accountable
Holding the drunk driver responsible for his or her actions can also bring a sense of closure and justice. It typically costs nothing to consult a personal injury attorney about pursuing a claim. A personal injury or wrongful death claim can help your family obtain the money you need to cover medical bills, lost income and property damage. It can also help compensate for pain and suffering.
In some cases, punitive damages are also available, which are awarded by the court as a punishment to the drunk driver. Essentially, the drunk driver is forced to pay money out of his or her own pocket instead of relying on insurance coverage. Punitive damages are one way victims can hit back and reinforce the message that drunk driving is never, ever acceptable.
