5 Months After Auto Accident, Driver Criminally Charged
He spent about 5 months in the hospital. And when he came out, it wasn’t to a “welcome home” party; it was to an arraignment.
Forty-three year old James E. Anderson was involved in a serious head-on collision on September 11, 2011, an accident that landed two other people in the hospital as well. He was found at fault after it was discovered that he was legally intoxicated. Now he faces criminal charges in addition to any civil liabilities filed by a New York car accident attorney representing the injured parties.
Anderson, of New York City, was driving on the Bear Mountain State Parkway early on that September morning. At about 1 a.m., according to The Daily Cortlandt, he crossed the center line and drove into oncoming traffic.
Anderson’s Honda Pilot hit a 2008 Audi head-on. In the Audi was a 17 year old Carmel resident and a 16 year old passenger from Shrub Oak. Both were hospitalized, the driver being in critical condition for a “lengthy period”.
Police found Anderson to have blood alcohol content (BAC) of .16%, twice the legal limit of .08%. He was also driving without a license.
At his arraignment on Feb. 3, 2012, Anderson was charged with two counts of felony vehicular assault, one count of misdemeanor DWI, one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, and an infraction for crossing the center line. These charges are in addition to any civil matters pending.
When an accident like this occurs, the driver who is found to be at fault (Anderson, in this case) can not only be held responsible criminally, for breaking the law, but civilly for the injuries and damage he caused. While it’s not explicitly stated in the current news sources, Anderson is likely also facing civil penalties from the injured parties and their car accident attorney in this accident.
Generally, this is why people have auto insurance, to protect them from liability. But even when there is no insurance, the at-fault driver can be sued with the help of a car accident attorney for medical costs, pain and suffering, and property damage costs incurred in the accident.
If you’ve been hurt in an auto accident and have questions about your rights and what steps to take, the drunk driving accident lawyers and car accident lawyers of Omrani & Taub can help. We aggressively pursue compensation on behalf of our clients and look forward to helping you. Contact our offices today online or by calling 212-529-78478 (that’s 212-LAW-SUIT).
