This week, college students around Ohio who are returning to campus in anticipation of a new school year received a solemn reminder of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. A first-year Ohio State student was recently involved in an auto-pedestrian accident that has left her hospitalized and in critical condition.

During the early morning hours of Sunday Aug. 19, a car hit the female freshman student. According to the police accident report, the driver of the car, also a student at Ohio State, had a blood alcohol level of .19.

While driving on a major street near campus, the driver struck the young woman who was crossing the street. The woman was not crossing the street at an intersection or using a crosswalk. She was cited for being a pedestrian in a roadway. Charges related to drunk driving are pending against the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident.

The young woman who was injured was unconscious after the accident and was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. She sustained various injuries including lacerations, broken facial bones and bleeding in her brain. Medical officials last reported that she remained in serious condition.

Because of the negligent acts of an irresponsible driver, the injured young woman likely faces a long recovery. While her prognosis is not known, individuals who sustain similar injuries typically require months if not years of physical therapy and rehabilitative treatment. In this and similar cases, the expenses associated with medical and treatment costs may be recovered by filing a personal injury claim against the negligent driver.

Source: The Lantern, "Police cite Ohio State students in accident, 1 in critical condition," Katie Higgins, Aug. 21, 2012