State Police Crack Down on DUI – Announce Sobriety Checkpoints for Plymouth County

As the summer comes to its unofficial close this Labor Day weekend, vacationers and residents in Cape Cod will likely be enjoying the last few barbecues and outdoor parties of the season. The Massachusetts State Police are aware of the celebrations and are working to ensure that the state roads are safe and free from drivers under the influence. At least in Plymouth County, the authorities have notified drivers that there will be a sobriety checkpoint, but they will not reveal the precise location. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is very dangerous and puts innocent motorists and pedestrians at risk. Victims injured in a car accident involving a drunk driver may be entitled to compensation for their suffering and losses. A local injury attorney can help to achieve the best possible settlement under the circumstances.

In 2011, there were 114 drunken driving fatalities in Massachusetts. To put it another way, 33.8% of all driving fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. These are deaths that could have easily been prevented. In all likelihood, many of the victims were innocent and killed by the drunk driver. In addition to the fatalities, many more people suffer mild to serious injuries in drunk driving accidents. In fact, according to an article in the Cape Cod Times, a 27-year-old woman from Plymouth is facing charges of drunk driving after she crashed her car into a telephone pole and landed on top of a tree four feet off of the ground. The collision took place on Route 130, which remained closed during the rescue. As a result of the crash, the driver was seriously injured and trapped in her car.

It is reported that firefighters worked to remove part of a utility pole that was found on top of the car and had to stabilize the vehicle by using special jacks. The driver was treated for her injuries while she was still inside the car. Rescuers spent about 30 minutes removing the injured woman from the vehicle before she was transported to a hospital in South Weymouth with non life-threatening injuries. Mashpee police charged the driver with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She was also charged with the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lanes violation.

Fortunately in this case, the drunk driver did not hurt anyone other than herself. But this is not the typical case. Many people are injured in accidents caused by another person’s negligence. Under Massachusetts law, all drivers have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle. A person injured in a car accident caused by another person’s failure to fulfill that duty has a legal right to seek compensation for the resulting damages. An experienced injury attorney can help you to recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, property damage, psychological counseling, lost wages and/or a reduced earning capacity, and emotional distress. It is important to work with a local attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure that the proper steps are taken to achieve the fairest settlement for your injuries.

John C. Manoog III is a local attorney with experience handling car accident cases for injured victims in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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