Earlier this week, in a feat that could only be described as heroic and tragic at the same time, a New Mexico mother ended up in the hospital with a broken leg, pelvis, tailbone, several broken ribs, and two broken arms after she jumped in front of a drunk driver who was just about to hit her son and another young person. According to a story by the New York Daily News, the woman explained her decision as her “momma bear instincts” kicking in.
Apparently, her son had been involved in a minor car accident and she came to his assistance. While they were on the side of the road, a driver swerved up onto the sidewalk, heading for the group of disabled motorists. The woman jumped in front of the vehicle and took the impact.
After the driver came to a stop and saw what he had done, he got back into his car and drove away. The woman’s son, however, was able to get the man’s license plate number and police had no problem finding him shortly thereafter. He has since been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Causing Great Bodily Harm By Vehicle.
The woman, who is a first-grade teacher at a nearby school, was taken to the hospital where she underwent several surgeries. She is expected to fully recover.
Drunk Driving in New Mexico
Like every other state in the nation, drunk driving is illegal in New Mexico. Specifically, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood- or breath-alcohol content of .08 or greater. While there is not a scientifically accurate way to determine how many drinks it will take to make a driver intoxicated, some suggest that two drinks an hour and an average person is at risk; three drinks in two hours; four drinks in five hours, etc.
Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents in New Mexico
Aside from criminal sanctions such as fines and prison time, drunk driving can also lead to significant civil liabilities as well. For instance, when a drunk driver causes an accident, that driver becomes liable to his or her victims for the damages they suffer as a result of the accident.
What To Do if You Have Been Injured in a New Mexico Drunk Driving Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to recover monetary damaged based on the drunk driver’s negligence. At the Fine Law Firm, we have the dedication and experienced you need to effectively bring your New Mexico personal injury case. The skilled New Mexico accident attorneys at the Fine Law Firm can meet with you, at your convenience, to discuss the fact of your case. Click here, or call 505-889-FINE to discuss the facts of your case with an attorney a the Fine Law Firm today.
More Blog Posts:
More Blog Posts:
New Mexico Man Caught Driving While Intoxicated for the Eleventh Time, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 23, 2014.
Rare Jury Verdict Reminds Drivers in New Mexico and Nationwide to Drive Sober, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 20, 2014.