Driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may come with a series of criminal repercussions. But if such drunk driving also prompts an auto collision, there may be a civil lawsuit to follow. Of note, this is relevant for any driver for any vehicle type allowed on Florida roads, including motorcycles. Follow along to find out the consequences of driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol and how a proficient Panama City motorcycle accident attorney at Manuel & Thompson, PA can help if you are now suffering due to someone else’s poor choice.
How common are drunk driving accidents involving a motorcycle?
Driving any motor vehicle type while under the influence of alcohol may increase your risk of an auto collision. This is thanks to alcohol’s ability to reduce one’s reaction times, judgment and decision-making, coordination and balance, etc. However, doing so while operating a motorcycle may result in more catastrophic and oftentimes fatal aftermath. This is thanks to a motorcycle’s lack of external protection or installed safety features.
All in all, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists make up 27 percent of fatal drunk driving accidents. This is more than drivers of standard passenger cars (23 percent) and drivers of large commercial vehicles (22 percent).
What are the consequences of driving a motorcycle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol?
Say, for instance, that you were sadly made the innocent victim of an auto collision prompted by an intoxicated motorcyclist. Well first, if their blood-alcohol content (BAC) level was found to be above the legal limit of 0.08 percent, they may be facing criminal penalties. Namely, a first-time offender for driving under the influence (DUI) may be charged with anywhere between one day to six months in jail, along with a fine of anywhere between $500 to $1,000.
Unfortunately, you may have to wait until their criminal court proceedings play out before you can attain justice for your matter in a civil court setting. But once you do, you may tirelessly fight to have them pay for the consequences you suffered from their poor choices. That is, you may recover financial compensation for your incurred medical bills or lost wages. Or, you may seek recovery for your diagnosed mental anguish or emotional suffering (i.e., post-traumatic stress disorder).
In the case that one of your passengers lost their life in the hands of the negligent motorcyclist, you may pursue a wrongful death claim instead. Here, you may seek to recover financial compensation for the cost of their funeral and burial, along with your loss of consortium, among other things.
Overall, when in doubt, someone at Manuel & Thompson, PA will look into your case. So please retain the legal services of a talented Panama City auto accident attorney today.