Because this weekend is New Year’s Eve, police in and around Las Vegas will be out in full force looking for drunk drivers. But we shouldn’t assume that there won’t be any impaired drivers on the roadways in the days leading up to the holiday weekend.

Sadly, it appears that a drunk driver is responsible for critically injuring a man Tuesday night on U.S. Highway 95. Shortly before 9pm, the 52-year old man was putting gasoline into his van, which was stalled on the shoulder of southbound Veterans Memorial Highway near Cheyenne Avenue. A Cadillac driven by a 65-year old woman from Las Vegas slammed into the van and the man. The auto accident forced a shutdown of all southbound lanes of U.S. 95 while the victim was transported to University Medical Center.

Thankfully, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. But the Nevada Highway Patrol arrested the Cadillac driver on DUI charges after she failed a field sobriety test.

Based on the information from the news media, the victim has solid grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against the Las Vegas woman. This type of lawsuit could permit the man to receive reimbursement for ambulance charges and hospitalization expenses that he has already incurred; as well as future doctor’s visits, medications, and physical therapy. If the victim is forced to miss work because of his injuries, this type of lawsuit could reimburse him for those lost wages. A jury may also choose to award the plaintiff damages for pain and suffering and loss of care.