In the State of Virginia, for the year 2006, there were 961 fatalities from automobile accidents.  Of those 961 fatalities, 347 were alcohol related.  That means that 36% of the fatalities in the State of Virginia were alcohol related.

There are laws in the State of Virginia that allow for the recovery of punitive damages in a case where the person causing the accident was driving under the influence.  If that person causing the accident had a blood alcohol level of 1.5 or higher, then a jury may award punitive damages. 

This fact is especially important in cases of serious injuries involving brain injury, injuries that lead to a coma, or accidents which lead to crippling injuries.  These punitive damages are above and beyond the normal compensatory damages and pain and suffering damages.  At Wilson & Hajek, we consider this an important ingredient in being able to recover for our clients who are involved in a serious personal injury automobile accident.