The Devastating Impact of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving victims suffer some of the longest-lasting effects recovering after a car accident. But the effects can be even more impactful for drunk driving victims who were not at fault for the accident. When someone chooses to drink and drive, he or she is taking other people’s lives into their hands. They make reckless choice that can harm even the safest of sober drivers. The drunk driving problem in Arizona is currently being attacked on many levels. These levels include efforts to prevent those convicted of one DUI from being a repeat offender. Recovering as a victim of one of drunk driving accidents can be one of the most difficult periods in your life.
The recovery path of drunk driving victims can be long and difficult. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, victims may need to be hospitalized for treatment of their injuries. Once they are released from the hospital, they may need to undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy to regain their strength, mobility, and ability to communicate. In some cases, victims may need to make permanent changes to their lifestyle, such as using a wheelchair or assistive devices.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in Phoenix have significant experience in helping clients who have been victims of drunk driving accidents and need help recovering. If you need help filing a claim for one of these awful, life-changing accidents, we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our offices are conveniently located in Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person or over the phone or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor or psychiatrist who can help get your life back on track. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
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Combating Recidivism and Helping Drunk Driving Victims
One of the tools that Arizona lawmakers use is victim impact panels. They are used to both help victims heal and prevent drunk drivers from causing future incidents. The Maricopa County Probation Department, in cooperation with local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, created the impact panel program. They created the educational program to help people convicted of drunk driving. The panel also helps victims navigate through the healing process by providing them with an outlet to share their grief and pain in a safe environment.
During a panel session, a group of three to four victims of drunk drivers talk about the accidents. They share how they or their loved ones were involved and what impact recovering after a car accident has had on their lives. The offender that was at fault for their particular accidents is not present at their panels. Therefore, victims can feel safe telling their story as an educational tool. This would help other offenders realize the full impact of their decision to drive under the influence. Some panels also allow for a question and answer period for offenders at the end of the session. This allows offenders to speak with a MADD representative.
Effectiveness of Panels in Drunk Driving
While some studies have shown that victim impact panels may not lead to actual decreases in future drunk driving, they do have some value to society, especially for victims. Victim impact panels can be part of an effective solution if they work in combination with other efforts to reduce recidivism, such as specialized DWI/DUI courts, automatic license revocation, impounding or confiscating license plates, and ignition interlock systems.
By taking a multifaceted approach to the problem of drunk driving and including victims as part of the solution, lawmakers can continue to fight in a way that addresses the many reasons people choose to drink and drive. Through the use of such panels, victims are provided not only an outlet for their emotional pain, but also a safe environment in which they can play a larger role in the criminal justice system. Both of these can help a victim begin to put the pieces of their lives back together after being involved in a drunk driving accident.
Recovering After a Drunk Driving Accident
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries from drunk driving accidents in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in a drunk driving accident, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
