A cautious driver was unable to avoid a Wisconsin car accident on March 14. The 67-year-old woman spotted someone driving erratically and stopped her minivan in an effort to avoid a collision. She told police that she was at an intersection in Madison that afternoon when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The car accident occurred shortly after.
After failing to stop, the vehicle went over a curb close to the Madison Metropolitan Sewage District facility, almost hit a fence, then jumped back on and off of the curb a few more times before the vehicle accelerated. The woman in the minivan was unable to avoid a collision, and the vehicle struck her minivan head-on. When police arrived at the scene of the accident, the driver responsible for the collision was still sitting in his car. The impact of the crash caused his airbags to deploy.
The man admitted to drinking and police recovered an almost empty bottle of liquor in his coat pocket. The woman was transported to a local hospital with neck, back and chest injuries. According to police, her injuries are not life-threatening. The man is facing a charge of injury by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
This Wisconsin car accident highlights the dangers of drinking and driving. Fortunately, although the woman was injured, it appears that she will make a full recovery, though there is no indication of how long that might take. She may have a legal right to file a personal injury claim against the driver. While he is already facing criminal charges for his negligent actions, he may still be held civilly liable for the injuries he caused the woman, if it is determined that he acted negligently. Any financial compensation received could help the woman pay any medical bills she may have incurred as well as reimburse her for pain and suffering in relation to her injuries.
Source: Madison South News, “Drunken Driver Involved In Head-On Collision Wednesday Afternoon, Police Say,” Scott Beedy, March 15, 2012
