/rueziffra.com/Allan A. Ziffra Automobile Accident Attorney/ 10/05/2009
Holiday weekends, vacations and getaways generally provide delightful opportunities to spend quality time with friends and family and to catch up on rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, when alcohol consumption exceeds reasonable boundaries, fun moments can become disastrous almost instantly. This is precisely what happened this recent Labor Day when a driver chose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit in Pinellas Park, Florida. According to investigative reports, the drunk driver crashed his vehicle into a police officer and two paramedics after losing control of his vehicle on Highway 19 at approximately 11 p.m. The automobile accident and personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Rue & Ziffra have successfully represented tens of thousands of injured Floridians and have helped to bring justice to the families who have been affected through the negligent and careless acts of others for three decades.

Pinellas County authorities report that the 21 year-old driver was traveling southbound on Highway 19 when he struck the patrol car of an officer who was responding to an earlier automobile accident. The young driver, a resident of St. Petersburg, allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the shoulder, causing the police officer to sustain injuries when his patrol car pushed into him. The officer was forced onto the hood of the vehicle following impact. Two paramedics who were also assisting at the collision site were left with no option other than to hurdle over the highway’s barrier so as to avoid being struck by the drunk driver’s vehicle.

After the victims from the first accident were transported to Northside Hospital, the police officer and both paramedics were taken to Bayfront Hospital by another EMS crew. Fortunately for the injured parties, they were soon released after being seen by medical personnel. The intoxicated driver was treated at a different hospital. The nature and extent of his injuries was not known following the collision. Ultimately, the driver was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, and driving with a suspended license. Pinellas County accident investigators have praised all emergency medical personnel involved for their professionalism and expeditious service in responding to the scene.

Rue & Ziffra partner attorney Tom Caldwell remarks, “When an at-fault party engages in sufficiently reckless behavior, your attorney may be able to make a claim for punitive damages in addition to traditional forms of compensatory relief. Make sure that you hire an experienced and knowledgeable law firm that will see to it that you receive the maximum recovery under the law.” As leaders in litigating personal injury claims of all sorts for thirty years, the attorneys and staff at Rue & Ziffra are eager to represent your injury claim if you are the victim of another party’s negligence. Subsequent to sustaining an injury and before you engage in any discussions, offer a statement or sign any documents with an insurance representative, contact the law firm of Rue & Ziffra at 1-888-246-8613 or visit our website anytime at www.RueZiffra.com.

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