The best way to prevent a tragedy on the road is to not drink and drive. If you’ve been drinking and need to get somewhere, use a designated driver.
Orlando, FL (PRWEB) October 22, 2014
Commenting on a recent Click Orlando news report about a 4 percent increase in DUI arrests through September 2014, attorney Richard Troutman stressed the importance for drivers to designate sober drivers, make alternate travel arrangements and take all steps necessary to keep Florida roads safe.
Troutman, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Orlando since 1984, based his comments on a September 24 article published on Click Orlando, “DUI arrests on the rise in Central Florida.” The article revealed the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to have arrested 668 DUI suspects as of mid-September, a 4 percent increase from the previous year.
“The Law Offices of Richard B. Troutman supports all efforts by Florida police officers to keep our roads safe from drunk drivers,” Troutman said. “But their efforts alone aren’t enough to stop drunk driving car crashes. The best way to prevent a tragedy on the road is to not drink and drive. If you’ve been drinking and need to get somewhere, use a designated driver. Call a taxi. Contact a friend or family member who can give you a ride. Make a responsible decision.”
According to Click Orlando, the Orange County Sheriff’s office was one of many organizations to report DUI arrest rates, which included 70 DUI arrests near the University of Central Florida in 2013. Click Orlando reports that law enforcement officials in Orange County alone reported over 3,000 DUI arrest in 2013.
Officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office told Click Orlando that people who get arrested for drinking and driving should consider the impact of an accident – not just the impact of an arrest record. University of Central Florida Police Chief Richard Beary noted that students should think about how a decision to drink and drive ultimately could end with someone’s death or a permanent disability, according to Click Orlando.
Attorney Troutman, who has represented victims and families affected by DUI accidents over the past 30 years, agreed with Beary. Troutman said he typically sues the drunk driver for punitive damages, which are damages that are meant to punish the driver and keep others from driving while intoxicated.
“Unfortunately, hundreds of drivers in our area still choose to drive drunk every year. They know the consequences. They know the law,” Troutman said. “That’s why we work so hard on behalf of families affected by the reckless behavior of intoxicated drivers in Central Florida. Actions have consequences. Accident victims deserve to be compensated for their injuries and other losses when they’ve done nothing wrong to cause a car crash.”
About Richard B. Troutman, P.A.
Attorney Richard Troutman has practiced law in Central Florida for over 30 years. He obtained his law degree at the University of Florida in 1980, after which he worked in the State Attorney’s office. Mr. Troutman’s practice has been dedicated solely to representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases in Florida since 1984. One of the most trusted and respected lawyers in Florida, Mr. Troutman has been selected by his peers as a Leading American Attorney, a title awarded to less than 6 percent of the state’s attorneys. Mr. Troutman earned the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell® rating, “AV,” indicating high ratings for legal ability and ethical standards. Mr. Troutman is also a member of the Florida Justice Association, the American Association for Justice and the American Bar Association.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver, contact Richard B. Troutman P.A. today at 407-647-5002 for a free consultation.
Richard B. Troutman, P.A. is located at:
1101 N Kentucky Ave #100
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-647-5002
http://www.richardtroutman.com/