- Drunk driving is a dangerous behavior that can cause severe injuries and wrongful death
- About 37 people die from drunk driving accidents every day in the United States
- Drunk driving can cause severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, and internal injuries
- Those charged with DUIs can experience penalties like fines, imprisonment, license suspension, increased insurance rates, and required driving classes
Negligent or reckless driving behavior can cause a car accident that can have negative effects on the reckless driver and those in the car they strike. Drunk driving is one of the most common reckless driving behaviors that can cause a car accident and have adverse effects on the health, finances, and mental health of those involved.
One negative consequence of a drunk driving accident is severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), bone fracture, or spinal cord injury. The person who causes the drunk driving accident can also experience punishments, such as license suspension, jail time, fines, required driving courses, and increased insurance rates.
How Can Drunk Driving Lead to a Car Accident?
Car accidents can cause severe injuries that result in long-term negative health effects. One common cause of car accidents is drunk driving, when someone operates their vehicle after drinking too much alcohol.
Drunk drivers can suffer from reduced mental capabilities because of the effect alcohol can have on the brain. Alcohol can interfere with the brain’s communication pathways and cause issues that can interfere with the ability to drive safely.
Some effects alcohol can have on a driver include reduced reaction time, blurry vision, loss of judgment, reduced coordination, and altered risk assessment. Inebriation can lead to a driver making a reckless mistake behind the wheel that can cause a significant car accident.
Drunk Driving Statistics Show It Can Lead to Catastrophic Consequences
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 13,384 deaths from drunk driving-related accidents in 2021. This was a 14% increase from the drunk driving fatalities in 2020. About 37 people die every day in the United States because of drunk driving.
The effect drinking alcohol can have on a person’s brain and body can lead to dangerous conditions. Drivers can make mistakes that lead to catastrophic impact, exposing drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to severe bodily harm. They can suffer wrongful death as a result, leading to emotional pain and suffering for their families.
Severe Injuries Caused by a Drunk Driving Accident
Those who experience blunt-force trauma during a drunk driving accident can suffer severe injuries. Those affected can include the drunk driver and their passengers, those in another vehicle, and pedestrians. Severe physical impact during a drunk driving accident can damage the bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other parts of the body, leading to injuries.
The following are some severe injuries caused by drunk driving accidents:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Shoulder injuries
- Broken bones
- Knee injuries
- Facial injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Burn injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal injuries
Following a drunk driving accident, people should go to the hospital to have their severe injuries diagnosed by a medical professional. They can use diagnostic testing to determine what injuries you suffered and suggest medical treatment to prevent future health complications.
What Penalties Can Someone Incur After Being Caught Drunk Driving?
Drunk drivers can experience penalties and punishments for their reckless driving regardless of if they cause a car accident. Drivers caught operating their vehicle above the legal alcohol limit can be charged with a DUI by a police officer.
After a DUI charge, the drunk driver will incur penalties depending on how reckless they were driving and if they have prior DUI offenses. Repeat offenders can experience more severe penalties to dissuade them from continuing to drive drunk and causing an accident that causes a severe car accident injury.
The following are some penalties a drunk driver can incur:
- Jail or prison time
- Financial penalties
- License suspension or revocation
- Impounding of their vehicle
- DUI training school
Contact The Russo Firm Today for Help With Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, our car accident lawyers can use their experience helping other victims of drunk driving accidents to assist you in pursuing compensation for car accident damages. We understand how damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life, can affect you long-term.
Our car accident attorneys wish to use their expertise and resources to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence. Contact us for a free drunk driving accident case evaluation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving
What is the Legal Alcohol Limit for US Drivers?
The United States has a legal alcohol limit that drivers cannot exceed. Drivers who have enough blood alcohol content (BAC) in their system to exceed the legal limit can experience negative effects on their brain and body that can lead to reckless driving behavior.
The US legal alcohol limit is 0.08 BAC. Once a driver reaches this limit, they can experience enough impairment that can expose others to severe injury risk. Law enforcement can charge those found operating a vehicle above the legal limit with driving under the influence (DUI) offenses.
How Can Drunk Driving Charges Affect Your Insurance Rates?
One effect drunk driving can have on a driver is increased insurance rates. When you sign up with an insurance company to cover your vehicle, they will assess whether they believe you are a dangerous driver who can cause a car accident, resulting in a higher insurance payout.
Insurance companies could charge those with DUI offenses on their records higher insurance rates to accommodate the risk presented by past behavior. According to an analysis by Forbes, the national average insurance increase for drivers with a DUI offense is 70%, which can lead to an extra $1,470 yearly for car insurance.
Do You Need to Complete a DUI Training School After a Drunk Driving Charge?
After being charged with a DUI, drivers will have to complete a training course to ensure they understand the dangers of drunk driving. This reckless driving behavior can cause severe car accident injuries, and the drunk driver must realize this through training.
How long the course takes depends on whether this was the driver’s first offense or if they had been charged previously with a DUI. Each state has its own rules for DUI training courses.
After their first DUI, a driver is likely to need to take at least 12 hours of DUI training courses before they can resume driving like normal. Those charged with multiple DUIs could need to take up to 24 hours of DUI training courses.
