Regardless of which state you are in, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can result in serious charges. Drunk driving or impaired driving also leads to a number of other potential consequences including a substantially increased risk for a collision or accident. Unlike some types of car crashes, like those caused by poor weather conditions, drunk driving accidents are preventable and need never occur.
Too often, the victims of drunk driving collisions are those who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Drivers of other cars as well as passengers in their vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even passengers in the same vehicle as a drunk driver may sustain serious injuries or even lose their lives when a crash occurs. These victims may be forced to endure the complications and pain that come with injuries but they also may be able to seek financial compensation for their losses through the use of a civil claim for damages. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer or an attorney who represents accident victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash or if your loved one was injured or killed.
The laws apply to all motorists on the roads, regardless of who they are or what they do for a living. Josh Gordon, a wide receiver in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, was charged with driving while impaired back in July of this year. During a court appearance yesterday, Gordon pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 12 months of probation in addition to a fine and assessed court costs. Sources within the NFL believe that Gordon pleaded guilty to the charge in an effort to limit any potential punishment he may receive by the NFL, including a potential mandatory two game suspension which would become effective if league owners and the players’ association ratify a new drug policy.
Gordon is best known for his time with the Cleveland Browns, the organization that drafted Gordon in the second round of the 2012 supplemental NFL draft. Prior to his professional career, Gordon played college football at Baylor. Gordon previously has been reprimanded by the NFL for other off-the-field instances of misconduct including marijuana use, for which he is currently banned for an entire NFL season. That season-long ban is expected to be reduced if the new drug policy is passed.
The incident that led to a charge of DWI against Gordon was stopped before any injuries occurred, but when a motorist drives drunk or otherwise impaired, often that is not the case. Common injuries include broken or fractured bones, head injuries like concussions, lacerations, cuts, bruises, injuries to the back or neck, and internal injuries that can lead to bleeding. The victims of these collisions may need emergency medical treatment or may need medical help that spans the course of months or years. As each collision and the resulting injuries are unique, the legal relief possible varies.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have experience representing numerous victims of drunk driving accidents in the Chicago area and across Illinois. We want to help you if you have been hurt.
We offer a free case consultation to all those who have been hurt who contact us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. If you are too injured to travel to our offices, we also offer a free in-home or in-hospital consultation to those victims who desire answers. If you have been injured in a collision, make sure you protect your rights; call Abels & Annes, P.C. today.
Prior Blog Entry:
Chicago Rollover Crash Leaves 4 Injured, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 15, 2014.
Resource:
Josh Gordon pleads guilty to DWI, by Pat McManamon, ESPN.com, published September 16, 2014.