Those who choose the military do so with the intent of protecting their country. To some, the idea of dying to protect one’s country is one of the most noble goals. Unfortunately, for one man who has been in the military for approximately 23 years, his future plans — both professional and personal — were dashed when he was struck by a drunk driver in North Carolina, resulting in the amputations of both his legs.
In the early morning hours of a morning in Nov. 2012, the soldier — now 43 — was making preparations for a fishing trip that he would begin the next day. While standing in front of his house, he was struck by a sedan driven by a woman, now 48. He was pinned between his truck and the sedan. The woman’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit at the time, and she is believed to have been under the influence of cocaine as well.
As a result of the collision, both of the man’s legs were amputated. He also suffered from internal injuries, including collapsed lungs and the loss of part of his hand. Almost 17 months after the accident, the man must undergo daily therapy. In addition to his physical injuries, he states that his career aspirations have also been ruined. Recently, the accused woman pleaded guilty to several charges against her and was sentenced to 16 to 29 months in prison, the maximum allowed under her circumstances.
While the criminal court system has provided a degree of justice, the family may be facing financial difficulties as a result of the car accident. In addition to the extensive medical treatment he has already received due to the amputations and other medical problems, he will likely face a lifetime of rehabilitation. To seek assistance with medical expenses and the other financial ramifications of the accident, the man has the option of filing a personal injury claim in a North Carolina court. If he can prove that her negligence caused the accident, which her guilty plea seems to support, he could be awarded monetary damages to help alleviate the financial ramifications of the accident.
Source: Fayetteville Observer, “Fayetteville woman sentenced for DWI crash that injured Fort Bragg soldier“, Michael Futch, April 9, 2014