Colorado police believe that a teenage driver was under the influence of alcohol when he or she caused a collision. A passenger who was in the vehicle at the time was severely injured and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The teen was arrested for his or her role in this serious accident and was charged with vehicular assault and DUI.
The 17-year-old driver and the passenger were traveling at approximately 10 p.m. when the crash occurred. The driver attempted to complete a left turn when the vehicle struck a parked car and then continued. It finally came to rest after striking a nearby large tree.
According to Colorado police, the driver was intoxicated at the time of this accident. He or she was not injured in the wreck. A backseat passenger was hurt with what were described as serious injuries, although it is not clear if they were life-threatening. That individual was hospitalized for medical treatment after the accident.
While the teen driver might be facing criminal consequences as a result of the accident, this does not address the full range of monetary and non-economic damages the victim is facing. Recovering from a serious accident is not easy. The victim is most likely facing hefty medical bills, long term pain and suffering and even emotional trauma. These types of damages can be addressed in the civil justice system, usually through a personal injury claim. When successfully pursued to completion, a victim can achieve necessary compensation for his or her recovery.