What charges does a drunk driver face for causing multiple injuries on the road?

Question

Our family narrowly avoided a wrong way drunk driver as we were traveling on the Interstate.  Our car was one of 15 vehicles that were wrecked as people moved to get out of her way.  Ultimately she stopped further south on the interstate when she crashed headlong into a car that was not so fortunate.  Miraculously no one in any vehicle sustained life threatening injuries, though three people in other cars required transport to the hospital and I sustained a closed head injury.  What charges will the driver face and what can we reasonably expect her consequences will be?  Her blood alcohol was over twice the legal limit.

Jacob P. Sartz · Answer

Ultimately, it depends on what the prosecutor charged her with. There could be felony charges, though, depending on the proofs.

Stephen Freeborn · Answer

She will be charged with felony vehicular assault.  one count for each vehicle involved.  Each count carries with it on average, a 4 year prison term.

Thomas Tomko · Answer

In Michigan, there are a number of charges that are faced by this person. IF she caused death or serious injury, then the penalty could be up to 15 years in prison. As for you, if you have a serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement, then you may be able to bring suit. You have a 1st Party claim for any unpaid medicals, wage loss, attendant care or replacement services. The difficult twist in the case involves the vehicle driven by the drunk driver not coming in contact with yours. This can raise certain legal issues.

Marshall Tauber · Answer

She's looking at a Prison sentence of at least 1.5 to 15 years depending on her prior record-it could be higher. The charges are likely multiple counts of OWI causing serious personal injury & other lesser charges.The sentencing guidelines will be hard for her to overcome.

Jared Altman · Answer

She may do some time. The amount may depend on her history.

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

If she caused serious bodily injury she can be charged with a felony and go to prison. It sounds like she did this.

Dennis Roberts · Answer

IF IT WAS HER FIRST DUI SHE WILL PROBABLY GET SOME COUNTY JAIL TIME, THOUGH  MAYBE PROBATION AND RESTITUTION ORDERED. IF SHE HAS A PRIOR SHE COULD GET A LOT  OF COUNTY TIME. WITH TWO PRIORS SHE COULD GO TO PRISON. SO IT DEPENDS MORE  THAN ANYTHING ELSE ON HER RECORD. THEY ARE NOW CHARGING PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PRIOR  DUI AND THEN KILL SOMEONE IN A NEW DRUNKEN DRIVING ACCIDENT WITH SECOND DEGREE  MURDER.  I HOPE FOR YOUR SAKE AND THE SAKE OF ALL THOSE INJURED THAT SHE HAS A BIG  INSURANCE POLICY (HIGHLY UNLIKELY) OR THAT YOU HAVE A BIG UNINSURED OR  UNDERINSURED MOTORIST POLICY.

Douglas J. Lindsay · Answer

A drunk driver which causes multiple injuries can be charged with multiple counts that relate to each injury sustained.  Its discretionary with the Office of the County Prosecutor as to how many charges and what actual charges are pursued.  Contact the Prosecutor's office and voice your opinion.

William M. Quitmeier · Answer

She may go to jail for causing injury while driving impaired.

Timothy Byrne · Answer

Talk with law enforcement or the state attorney general's office about DUI maiming or depraved heart murder.

Roianne Houlton Conner · Answer

She could be charged with assault as well as attempted murder if the injuries were serious.

Mark R. Thiessen · Answer

Intox assault  for each case with serious bodily injury.

Jeff Yeh · Answer

Probably a felony VC 23153. Time to get a DUI specialist, because state prison may be just around the corner.

Terry Nelson · Answer

Felony charges and prison for each person injured, or substantial property damaged.  As to you, that is merely casual curiosity except as a possible witness at the criminal trial.  More to your point, you and your passengers are now involved in a major complex multi-party civil lawsuit, for which you should really hire an attorney.

Leonard Harden · Answer

If this is in NH the driver could be charged with a felony DWI depending on the injuries suffered, her history and many other facts.  No two cases are alike, the circumstAnces change everything.  Each locale has differing standards so what happens really depends on the court, prosecutor and defense lawyer.

Gary Moore · Answer

She probably faces multiple criminal charges which have a presumption of imprisonment upon conviction and have at least a ten year maximum prison sentence.

Michael Palumbo · Answer

Felony or misdemeanor charges, loss of license, potential jail time and probation. The defendant needs to consult with a DUI lawyer in the state she was arrested.

Matthew Murillo · Answer

How do you know what her BAC was? Or that the driver was even a "she"?  If you were one of those cars that was not hit but the arrested individual, but sustained damage as a result of having to move out of the way. You might be out of luck as far as having the driver pay for damages. YOU can't expect anything about "her" consequences. SHE can expect felony charges for any injuries caused. Many things must be considered before anyone can start speculating on punishment, but it could be extremely serious.

Jason Savela · Answer

If serious bodily injury (broken bones severe scars or substantial risk of death) then felonies w possible prison.  You also have a civil injury case that I would be interested in

Harley Gutin · Answer

If you are driving under the influence and you seriously hurt someone you are looking at a prison sentence which could be substantial depending on the seriousness of the injuries.  If someone dies the years add up to about 12 ?15 years in prison.  So if you injured three people the sentences could and probably would be three times the years stated above.  Depending on the person?s prior record the Court may downward depart and reduce the sentence to probation.  However, in a recent case, a few years ago, a middle aged lady ran a red light and killed an elderly man in another car here in Brevard County, Florida.  The Judge gave her approximately seven (7) years in prison because she had no prior record.

Gregory Crain · Answer

The drunk driver is facing Battery, DUI.

James Edward Smith · Answer

She is facing felony DUI which is up to 20 years in prison and no  probation.

Howard Snader · Answer

Charges can range from misdemeanor DUI to felonies for endangerment and aggravated assault.  The felonies, depending on how the matter is charged, could result in mandatory prison.  As you were injured as the result of a criminal act, you may also wish to consider remedies you may have under the victim compensation fund or a personal injury action against the driver.

Michael Chastaine · Answer

The DUI driver will be charged with a felony drunk driving.  The penalty can vary greatly depending upon a lot of factors.  But seems very likely that he/she will go to state prison.

Bruce Arthur Plesser · Answer

Great personal injury case! Injuries will be factored into the DUI case.

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