A Drunk Driver Turns a Peaceful Ride Into a Nightmare
Chuck loved to ride his motorcycle. A safe and conscientious driver, he spent hours on the road, enjoying the great outdoors on his bike. All this changed one fall day when he was struck by a drunk driver. The intoxicated driver crashed into the left side of Chuck’s motorcycle, throwing him from his bike. He skidded across the pavement and injured himself from head to toe.
It was immediately clear that Chuck suffered serious injuries and he was rushed to the hospital.
Devastating Injuries Consume Chuck’s Life
Chuck’s injuries were catastrophic. They included:
- Multiple left leg fractures, including tibial plateau and fibular head fractures
- Burst fracture of his L1 vertebral body
- Broken heel bone
- Lacerations and road rash on his trunk, legs, arms, and scalp
- Collapsed lung
Many of his injuries demonstrated the force of the collision. His broken bones weren’t just cracked; they were shattered.
Chuck stayed in the hospital for nearly a week, and numerous specialists treated his broken bones, wounds, and internal injuries. For a time, he could not use his left leg, and he needed intensive physical therapy before he could head home.
Finally, he was released home to his wife, but he still needed a walker and wore a bulky, restrictive brace that enclosed his entire torso. At home, Chuck required in-home care to help manage his daily activities. Multiple times every week, home health providers, nurses, and wound care specialists visited him at home to help with his recovery.
Additionally, Chuck had an intensive schedule of physical therapy and doctors’ appointments with orthopedic doctors and neurosurgeons. He began to regain strength and independence, but it was a very slow and painful process—and he wasn’t guaranteed a full recovery.
RELATED ARTICLE: What Happens if an At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys Takes on the Insurance Companies on Chuck’s Behalf
To get the compensation he deserved, Chuck knew he needed help from a respected and aggressive Alabama injury lawyer. Luckily, he contacted Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys.
Andy Citrin and his team sprung to work, fighting for Chuck. They quickly discovered that the drunk driver was underinsured. While his lawyers secured the maximum payout from the drunk driver’s insurer, it barely made a dent in Chuck’s medical bills.
Unfortunately, many Alabama drivers don’t carry enough liability insurance to cover a catastrophic accident. That’s why Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys thinks everyone should purchase additional medical payments coverage (MPC) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance. These policies are inexpensive add-ons to your liability policy and can provide much-needed resources and keep victims out of bankruptcy.
Thankfully, Chuck was a responsible driver and had UM/UIM coverage. However, his insurance company didn’t want to pay for his damages either.
Using sophisticated litigation strategies, Chuck’s lawyers at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys built a compelling UM/UIM case, proving that the underinsured driver was liable for the crash and Chuck’s injuries. After a hard-fought battle, they negotiated a fair settlement for Chuck. Finally, he had financial resources to cover his medical bills and ensure his financial stability.
Chuck’s Lawyers Look for Additional Sources of Compensation
However, the team at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys didn’t stop after resolving Chuck’s UM/UIM claims. Under Alabama law, bars and restaurants cannot sell alcohol to intoxicated individuals. When they violate this duty, and a drunk driver injures someone, the bar may be liable. These claims are sometimes called “dram shop” cases.
During the investigation, it became clear that a bar had knowingly overserved the drunk driver. Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys aggressively pursued a dram shop case for Chuck and eventually held the bar accountable for overserving the driver.
Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys: Getting Justice for Alabama Motorcyclists
At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we believe everyone has a right to be safe on the road — no matter what you drive. That’s why we fight hard to make sure motorcycle accident victims get the justice they deserve, and that Alabama roads stay safe.
If you’ve suffered because of another driver’s negligence and need help recovering the resources you need to heal, take care of your family, and live, talking to an experienced motorcycle crash attorney could help.
We’ll evaluate your case for free and work with you to determine the best steps for you and your family moving forward. To schedule your free, no-risk evaluation, call 251-888-8888 or fill out our online contact form. Initial consultations for personal injury cases are always free and confidential.
Note: Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys uses pseudonyms in our success stories to protect our clients’ privacy.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
