When I was in college, I lost a good friend to a drunk driver. During law school, I was rear-ended by a drunk driver. Cases involving drunk drivers are personal to me, and there are few things harder for me to do than sit across the table and look a victim in the eye while they talk about life-disrupting injuries sustained from drunk drivers, or worse, listen to stories from parents who’ve lost their son or daughter due to someone else’s negligence.
These stories are hard to hear, but having been personally involved in drunk driving incidents, it’s easy for me to understand what each person is going through. I’m motivated to help every victim of a drunk driver who comes through our doors because every case is personal to me.
I explain that I will never be able to replace what has been taken from them. I cannot repair the emotional devastation. I cannot replace the constant reminders — like an empty place at the dinner table or an empty chair. Each person loses something of value that only they understand. However, victims and survivors of drunk driving accidents do have one thing in common. After the story ends and I’ve heard how lives have been forever changed, I am asked one final question: “Will you hold the drunk driver accountable?”
My answer is always “Yes.”
For all the resources and public service announcements out there, there’s no reason for anyone to drink and drive. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been campaigning their message for over 35 years. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) have been advocating to students for over 30 years. Uber drivers can pick you up at record speed and deliver you to your night-out destination, so driving isn’t an issue. And Red Cap drivers will take you home in your own car. Yet far too many drink and drive anyway, and because of all the transportation alternatives, there are no more excuses.
Every lawyer at Dellutri Law Group is skilled in meticulously gathering the evidence necessary to pursue justice in drunk driving cases. We know it is our responsibility to advocate in the courtroom for victims and their families.
I’ve sat down with too many people who have lost so much. Going into these meetings, I know I can never replace who or what they’ve lost to a drunk driver. Futures are stolen, and each is priceless. But I can hold a drunk driver accountable for their actions because driving while intoxicated and forgoing every safe option available is a choice. Stay safe — don’t drink and drive.
