Impaired Driving May Have Been A Factor in Crash That Seriously Injured Elderly Couple

Charges are currently pending against a Boynton Beach man as investigators are awaiting test results to determine whether or not alcohol or drugs was a factor in a serious motor vehicle accident. The Sun Sentinel is reporting that Alexander Worrall, an 18-year-old male, was driving a Ford SUV which struck the right side of a 2009 Hyundai Sedan being driven by Maurice Gartman, age 85. Apparently, Mr. Gartman and his passenger wife, Evelyn, age 82, traveled west on Old Boynton Beach Road on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. As Mr. Gartman made a left turn onto Military Trail, a SUV which traveled southbound and was being driven by Worrall ran a red light and crashed into the elderly couple’s vehicle. The couple were seriously injured and taken to the Delray Medical Center in critical condition and required intensive care treatment.

It is always devastating to find out that someone has been seriously hurt or die as a result of a drunk or drugged driver. And, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration latest report, in 2009, there were 32,807 persons killed in an alcohol impairment crash. Drinking and drugged driving still remains a national problem, despite strict driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI) laws.
Our Fort Lauderdale motor vehicle accident attorneys cannot stress enough how often we hear from the families of those who loved ones who have become permanently or totally disabled, or died as a result of driver alcohol or drug impairment.  Once again, drunk, drugged or buzzed driving is a major cause of automobile crashes and commonly results in serious injuries and deaths.

Further, we feel that it is important to raise awareness of this issue since many of you will be celebrating the coming of a new year this weekend. As you celebrate your New Year Eve’s festivities, please remember to not drink or drive; or ride with someone who does. Taxi companies and the Tipsy Tow program sponsored by AAA are offering safe rides as a community prevention effort to save lives. Tipsy Tow is not a national program, but will providing this service throughout the state of Florida, according to the AAA Newsroom website. If you have questions, you can contact AAA Auto Club South.

Although our Fort Lauderdale motor accident injury lawyers realize that most persons know that if they are convicted of drunk or drugged driving, they will receive some type of criminal punishment, however, many will still take the risk to drive while impaired. Still, what many fail to know is that they could also face severe civil punishments as a result of them causing someone to become permanently and totally disabled, or having to  under go costly rehabilitative and therapy sessions; or having to worry about funeral expenses when a loved one has died as a result of their poor judgment.

But, our Fort Lauderdale car crash attorneys understand the devastation of losing a loved one and the variety of unduly economic burdens injured persons or their families endure as a result of another’s negligence. Depending upon the nature of the accident, claims based upon drunk or impaired driving may be filed under the negligence theory of tort law. A tort is a civil wrongdoing and the law provides a remedy when a wrongdoer inflicts injuries upon another. Essentially, negligence can occur when a drunk driver fails to exercise his or her standards of reasonable care under the circumstances and causes someone else to become injured. And when the courts have determined that he or she is the responsible party for the hurt inflicted upon another, monetary compensation can be awarded to recover costs for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.

All of our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys wish you and your families a Happy and Safe New Year. And if you or a loved becomes injured as a result of another’s negligence, contact our office to discuss your case.

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