The holiday season is filled with many great things like holiday-themed foods and beverages, lights and decorations, family, friends, and good food. The holidays are also a time that many people increase their alcohol intake. Of course, when done responsibly this is just another fun aspect of the holidays, but there are those who are not as responsible and cause accidents due to their inebriation.
Drunk driver accidents are different than the average accident. They tend to happen randomly and with little to no warning. Drunk driver accidents also tend to be more significant wrecks that require more medical care for those involved.
What can you do to avoid drunk driving accidents?
Although a drunk driver could be on the road at any time of the day, there are some precautions you can take. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the most dangerous time to be on the road due to drunk drivers is between midnight and 3 am. The safest time according to their statistics is 9 am to noon, and progressively gets more dangerous the closer it is to midnight.
If possible, try not to be on the road after 6 pm. The fatalities due to drunk drivers nearly double from 3-6 pm to 6-9 pm, signifying that it is nearly 2 times more dangerous to drive after 6.
Another way to avoid drunk drivers is to practice safe driving procedures like maintaining a safe distance, yielding and being extra cautious at traffic stops and intersections, and wearing your seatbelt. You may also be familiar with local drinking establishments and can make driving decisions to avoid such places as much as you can.
Using rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber are also great alternatives to a night out, giving you the freedom to consume alcohol without the need of a designated driver or to drive yourself.
What if I am hit by a drunk driver?
If you are involved in an accident and notice that the driver of the other vehicle may have had alcohol, it is important to mention that to the responding officer that comes to the scene. Documenting the entire situation on the police report makes your attorney’s life a lot easier. Instead of working on amending the police report, or getting more information from the officer, they can immediately start collecting evidence and information about the accident and the other driver. You do not want to get stuck with a large medical expense or property damage issue because the police report wasn’t clear enough. There may be times where you are in a small accident and do not call the police, or act with your own discretion, but drunk driving is not something to take lightly. Make sure that in this or similar situations that you tell the officer everything.
After speaking to the police, and seeking medical treatment, it is critical to speak to an attorney. Drunk driving cases are different from the usual accident cases. Dealing with a drunk driving accident on your own is difficult, and you cannot be sure you are receiving the compensation that is entitled to you unless you work with a professional. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may in a sense be fighting not only for your health and physical well-being but your future and financial well-being as well.
Also, depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need assistance with medical funding, treatment, property damage, car rentals, and more. Your attorney is a great resource for these things.
Fry | Goehring has many different ways we can assist you during these difficult times. If you would like to get more information, you can always give us a call!
