The Pensacola News Journal reported on September 2, 2018 that a 65-year-old man was the victim of a drunk-driving accident 18 years ago. His life was changed forever when a drunk driver was speeding around a blind curve on September 8, 2000. He was hit head-on and spent many months hospitalized. The victim has rods, screws, and fragile joints after countless surgeries. He lost his job and was left with more than $1 million in medical bills. When the 65-year-old awoke in the hospital, he told the Pensacola News Journal:

“I opened my eyes, and there are all these tubes in my throat, and I’m panicking. I have no recollection of a crash. The nurse comes in and says, ‘You were in an accident. You’re on a respirator, and you need to calm down,’ and it took me a good few minutes, but that was probably the most terrifying thing of my life.”

“Every day we hear about at least one drunk-driving accident in Florida. Lives are changed forever - not only the victim’s life but also the life of the negligent drunk driver,” said Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

On August 31, 2018, CBS4 Miami reported on a drunk-driving accident where a South Florida man was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, DUI with property damage, and resisting arrest with violence after killing 4 and injuring 7 others on I-95. The drunk driver hit a group of Good Samaritans who had pulled over to help a motorcyclist who was involved in another accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2016 there were 10,497 deaths from alcohol-impaired driving, and 1,233 were children under the age of 14.

Florida courts have used Victim Impact Panels (VIP) to help drunk and drugged driving offenders learn to recognize and internalize the lasting and long-term effects of impaired driving.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) provides the format for VIP classes both in person and online. MADD feels the VIP program creates an empathetic situation where drunk drivers can develop an “understanding of the tragedy, leave a permanent impression that leads to changes in thinking and behavior and prevents future offenses.”

Victims, including survivors and others who have been impacted by DUI crashes, speak about the crash and share first-person accounts of how the crash impacted their lives during the VIP program. MADD says those speaking do not blame or judge. They just tell their stories and share how their lives have changed.

“If you or a loved one is injured by a negligent DUI driver, please contact our legal team. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.