DUI s and P ersonal I njury
AND POTENTIAL COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. Over the last few years, the holiday has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous days to be on the road. According to a 2021 AutoInsurance.org report, Cinco de Mayo is now ranked as the fifth most dangerous holiday for driving. That’s up five spots from the previous year, and it’s earned that spot due to the high frequency of drunk driving-related fatal crashes. Being involved in a drunk driving accident can completely change your life, regardless of your role. If you’re the drunk driver, you could be looking at license suspension, fines, and possibly jail time on top of a potential lawsuit from the person you hit. If a drunk driver hits and injures you, no doubt you’ll deal with physical and emotional trauma. After you’ve sought out medical attention, you may want to consider legal action.
Being injured in a drunk driving accident entitles you to compensatory damages and possibly even punitive damages. The compensatory damages will help you receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, physical injuries and pain, and even inconvenience. Punitive damages penalize the defendant for their actions and are paid in addition to any compensatory damages. Not everyone involved in a drunk driving accident is eligible for punitive damages. In 1994, the Virginia legislature introduced a law that made proving punitive damage claims more uniform from case to case. In order for a plaintiff to pursue a punitive damage claim, three criteria have to be met. The first is that the defendant’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash meets or exceeds .15%. Second, the defendant knew or should have known their ability to operate a vehicle would
be impaired. And third, the defendant’s intoxication was the cause of the plaintiff’s injury or death. Being involved in a drunk driving accident can change your life permanently. If you’re in need of representation, please give our office a call.
P addle Y our W ay to B etter H ealth
BIG BENEFITS OF CANOEING AND KAYAKING
MENTAL BENEFITS
The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits.
• While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus. • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability. This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. • If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep. Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. • Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system. Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
• Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. • You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps s trengthen your lower-body muscles. • While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength. Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. • It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance, enabling you to go longer distances faster.
2 LEGALDEFENSE.COM
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