Reckless, Impaired Driving Create Highway Accident Headlines

In the news: Prosecutors have charged a Hammond, Indiana man with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident involving death in a March 16 accident that claim the life of a construction worker.  Police say the man took off from the scene of the crash after he allegedly hit and killed a worker who was filling potholes in a construction zone on I-80/94 in the Lake County area. He was arrested the next day after calling his girlfriend on a pay phone. The motorist apparently admitted to police that he had been drinking before the early morning accident although no additional charges have been filed as yet.

Separately, a Lanesville, Indiana, woman recently entered a not guilty plea in a host of charges flowing from a wrong-way, multi-vehicle crash on I-65 in Louisville, Kentucky, back in January. According to toxicology reports, the motorist apparently registered four times the legal blood alcohol limit, and has been charged with charged with DUI, criminal mischief, operating on a suspended license, no insurance, assault, wanton endangerment and careless driving.

In highly dangerous, often tragic incidents of this nature, the legal process operates on a parallel track. Prosecutors bring criminal charges against the offender, while the victim or the victim’s family can hire a private attorney to seek money damages from the offender in civil court. A criminal conviction provides powerful evidence of the offender’s civil liability.

If you or a family member have been injured in a car accident owing to the negligence or recklessness of another driver, or by a driver that operated a vehicle while impaired, it is important to retain legal counsel with the experience and skills needed to obtain full compensation for your injuries. At Young and Young, we have represented thousands of Hoosiers with serious auto accident injuries. We have more than 55 years of experience waiting to help.