Drinking and Driving – An Accident Waiting to Happen
For many years now, groups from seemingly all walks of life have been working tirelessly to bring evermore awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving. Despite all of these efforts and all of the money that has been spent in furtherance of this worthwhile and noble effort, people continue to make the terrible decision of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol. As a result, DUI accidents occur at an alarming rate and people who are seriously injured or killed are often at a loss of how they should proceed to protect their legal rights.
Below you will find a brief overview of the statistics regarding car accidents that occur where alcohol is listed as a contributing factor. You will also find information regarding the potential legal rights and options possessed by someone who has been harmed in this manner. Anyone who has been injured by a drunk driver needs to obtain the help of experienced car accident lawyers as soon as possible. Find good information on accident law here
Car Accident Statistics – Alcohol-Related Crashes
According to official records kept by the state, approximately 8,500 car accidents occur every year where alcohol is recorded as a factor. As a result of these accidents, more than 6,300 people are injured and more than 350 people are killed. Broken down further, more than 23 of these crashes occur every day somewhere in the state, and more than 17 people are injured and nearly one person is killed on a daily basis.
DUI Accidents – Potential Legal Rights and Options
When this many people are being injured and/or killed in car accidents where alcohol is a factor, it leads to a high amount of need for people who have been wronged to stand up for their legal rights. Unfortunately, people who are forced into this position are often unaware of those legal rights and options, and others will wrongly assume that they have no personal recourse since the drivers who caused these crashes are often prosecuted.
However, people who are injured in car accidents caused by drunk drivers have the basically the same rights and options that others have who have been injured in crashes where alcohol was not involved. That means that someone who faces this scenario can file a personal injury lawsuit in response to the crash, and successful claims could lead to awards of damages that compensate plaintiffs for their medical costs, their lost income, their pain and suffering and possibly other losses.
People who face this situation do need professional help, as most are not familiar with the legal process and many are not in a medical position to be able to handle a claim alone. If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, you need to seek the help of car accident lawyers
who have been fighting for the rights of those harmed for more than 40 years. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.