Impaired driving is a serious offense in Florida. When drunken driving leads to an auto accident that injures or kills other motorists, the state has a strong interest in removing that driver from the road and imposing penalties to prevent reoccurrences of such behavior and to provide victims with some sense of relief and justice. One recent injury car accident in Ocala is about to test that theory.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an intoxicated 53-year-old female driver was driving at high speeds eastbound on County Road 475B at approximately 7:30 a.m. when she failed to reduce speed at the intersection with County Road 475 and rear-ended a van at a stop sign. The impact pushed the van into the intersection, where it was subsequently struck by a pickup truck before coming to rest on a grassy shoulder.
The male pickup truck driver, 41, and the female van driver, 23, and three passengers were taken to Ocala Regional Medical Trauma Center for treatment.
The suspected drunken driver was treated at Munroe Regional Medical Trauma Center. After she was discharged, she was arrested on five counts of DUI leading to serious injury and damage to property. She was released after posting a $7,000 bond.
A car accident can be caused by many things other than an intoxicated driver, including distracted driving and disregard of road regulations. The fact is that driver negligence is responsible for many accidents. Fortunately, victims can hold negligent drivers legally accountable through personal injury lawsuits.
The legal action can lead to compensation for an accident victim for pain and suffering, medical expenses and other damages. If the accident leads to someone’s death, surviving family members can seek legal remedy by filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the victim.
Source: The Gainesville Sun, “Three-vehicle crash in Ocala sends 6 to hospital,” Susan Latham Carr, March 23, 2014
