On September 15, 39-year-old Jacob Knight pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Knight was reportedly speeding alongside another automobile in what appeared to be a race on a southwest Florida road when his vehicle went into oncoming traffic and hit another car.
The passenger of this third vehicle, an 86-year-old woman, died from the injuries she suffered in the accident. Afterwards, Knight was taken to a nearby hospital, where tests showed his blood alcohol levels were above the Florida legal limit. His record indicates he was arrested for driving under the influence in 2003, as well.
After a crash with a drunk driver
Drunk driving is extremely dangerous and illegal in all 50 states. If you are injured in a car accident with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Once you have confirmed the safety of yourself and your passengers, notify local law enforcement of your accident. Police officers will visit the scene of your crash and file a report based on their understanding of what took place.
Although some drunk driving accidents end up in a lawsuit, it is typically recommended that you initiate action against a drunk driver by first filing a claim with his or her insurance company. You may wish to work with an experienced lawyer to let the insurance company know that it was a DUI-related accident and you will be seeking complete compensation for all medical and property damages. You and your attorney will usually be able to reach a settlement to compensate for your losses — and the fact that the at-fault driver is facing criminal charges for DUI would likely bolster your argument.
To learn more about what you should do after a drunk driving accident, meet with a skilled Bradenton personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.