McGowan & Associates Reaches Substantial Settlement for Drunk Driving Accident Victim

Our South Shore lawyers successfully challenged an auto insurer which denied our client’s claims for medical expenses and property damage after a drunk driving accident.

McGowan & Associates recently represented a South Shore mother who was driving home from dinner when her vehicle was broadsided by a drunk driver. Her vehicle was a total loss and she was transported to the hospital before enduring six months of treatment that caused her to miss extended time from work.

The insurance company for the drunk driver refused to pay for her medical bills and denied her claim for property damage, claiming that she was at fault for the car accident as she was in the process of making a turn when her vehicle was struck. We obtained the police report and determined the driver had a blood alcohol percentage that was twice the legal limit and was charged with reckless operation. We obtained the record from the criminal proceeding and determined that the drunk driver had run a red-light seconds before the crash and had traveled through the intersection at over 40MPH. We also tracked down the eyewitness and obtained a statement form her. Using this information, we obtained an out-of-court settlement from the bar which had overserved the drunk driver.

We then filed suit against the drunk driver and his insurer, alleging the insurance company violated G.L. ch. 93A and ch. 176D by failing to conduct a reasonable and thorough investigation. The insurance company ultimately capitulated regarding liability and paid a substantial settlement on behalf of the drunk driver and to avoid the potential for an award of multiple damages at trial.

McGowan & Associates specializes in representing individuals injured in car accidents on the South Shore, Plymouth County and across Massachusetts. Learn your legal rights if you have been injured by a negligent or drunk driver in Massachusetts.