By The Survivors Club Staff
February 5, 2010

Eight years ago, Wendy Purcell and her 5-year-old daughter were on their way back home from Easter play practice when their car was struck head-on by a drunken driver. Both suffered serious injuries, and Purcell has undergone a total of 12 surgeries, although she still has trouble walking and bending over.

However, despite the physical limitations, the Georgia woman appeared in front of a panel of mostly DUI offenders just months after the accident to share her story in hopes of preventing future tragedies, according to Savannah Morning News.

"It's hard - I have spoken the second Thursday of every month for the last [seven and a half] years," Purcell told the news provider, adding that she was doing this because "I don't want to find more victims."

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy organization that accepts donations, about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in car accidents caused by intoxication.

Experts say those who have sat behind the wheel while drunk should seek counseling. Meanwhile, partygoers who consume alcohol should designate one person who does not drink as a driver or use alternative means of transportation such as a taxi or bus.

It is possible for survivors and their families to thrive again after a traumatic accident, and resources such as the Crash Survivors Network may be able to provide valuable assistance.