Pictured above: a picture of three of the four injured in the accident
Over the weekend, a horrific accident occurred in Pontiac, Michigan that left several people severely and critically injured. The accident happened when Leshia Barnes, a 24-year-old woman from Pontiac, ran a red light and T-boned a Pontiac Montana. She had struck the minivan hard enough to push it back into a nearby, trailing Dodge Magnum. The driver of the Pontiac, a 23-year-old woman, is now in serious condition. Her 3-year-old daughter is unfortunately now on life support and her 16 year-old brother and his 2-year-old son were also critically injured.
Barnes herself was also hospitalized with injuries. She has been charged with three counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, with each count being punishable by up to five years in prison. Her blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident was a .156 percent, twice the legal limit. Officials are also conducting additional tests on her blood. Her bond has been set at $500,000.
Legal Commentary
Not only are drunk drivers committing a crime, they are also endangering the lives of everyone around them. In this case, it was that of an innocent driver who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drunken driving accidents accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic related deaths in 2010 in the United States. The challenge for many individuals who are injured or whose loved ones are killed in a drunken driving accident is to make the right choice about their legal rights.
Successfully pursuing a claim against a drunk driver is difficult, but not impossible. Though they may be facing a difficult situation, it is important for individuals and families who have been impacted by drunken driving to quickly seek out legal guidance and representation in order to successfully pursue any possible claims against a drunk driver. If you or a loved one has suffered from someone else’s drunk driving, you should contact the professionals at Fears | Nachawati. We can answer your questions, provide you with the proper guidance, and successfully represent you in any potential claims. We understand the difficult situations drunken driving accidents present and are prepared to advise you. Talk to us today for your free consultation.
About the Author
Majed Nachawati is a preeminent wrongful death lawyer with a focus on representing victims and families involved in work accidents, automobile accidents, and product liability claims. He attended Richland High School, Southern Methodist University for his undergraduate degree, and The University of Houston for Law School. Following Law School, Mr. Nachawati completed a two year clerkship for a Texas Court of Appeals. After his tenure with the court, Mr. Nachawati has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly Magazine for the past four years in a row due primarily to his legal excellence involving catastrophic 18 wheeler crashes, wrongful death cases, and products liability cases. Mr. Nachawati is a member of the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee, The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, on the Board of Directors for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, a Fellowship Member of the American Association for Justice, a member of the Board of Directors for Public Justice, a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Dallas Bar Association and Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Nachawati can be reached at 1.866.705.7584 or by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com. Information about Mr. Nachawati and his wrongful death case resolutions can be found by contacting him or viewing his Super Lawyer’s Profile.
SOURCE: Texas Injury Law Blog – Read entire story here.
