While the holidays are a lovely time to get together with friends and family, they also bring certain dangers; a common danger of which increases the risk of being in an accident caused by someone else’s drunk driving.
The time between Christmas and New Year’s Day is an especially important time to keep safe and sober driving in mind. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that over the past 5 years, an average of 300 people died in drunk driving crashes in the U.S. the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
As much as we can prepare to keep ourselves safe while on the road, the unfortunate reality is that accidents can still happen. If you are injured in a drunk driving-related accident this holiday season, contact the McAllen car accident attorneys at De la Garza Law Firm to schedule a FREE consultation where we will create a personalized legal strategy to get you the financial relief you deserve.
1. Why Drunk Driving Accidents are More Common During the Holidays
Drunk driving kills almost 30 people a day. This is because alcohol is a depressant that can slow down response time and cause drowsiness in drivers. Being under the influence also makes a person less aware of their surroundings, and they are also less likely to use turn signals or to use them correctly at all. Another danger about drunk driving is when it occurs, mostly at night when visibility is decreased.
As to why drunk driving accidents are more common during the holidays, the reason isn’t hard to guess. During the holidays, we all travel, some of us cross country, to visit relatives, friends, or loved ones, so there are many more drivers on the road. The season itself doesn’t help either; bad weather can make the roads dangerous for all of us.
In addition, holiday parties often last well into the evening, so people will be driving home in the dark. Many of these celebrations involve alcohol which increases the likelihood that people will be drinking and driving, and if they are heading home late at night, they may think they won’t be caught.
2. How to Avoid Accidents Involving Drunk Driving
To avoid being in a drunk driving accident is to avoid drinking yourself. You might want to find a non-alcoholic alternative to other drinks, and organize beforehand to have a designated driver, or volunteer yourself! There are also many ways to celebrate that don’t involve drinking.
If you do drink, there are a few things to consider. Using rideshare apps like Lyft or Uber can be a great option if you have had a few during the celebration. If that isn’t an option, recruiting a friend beforehand to be a designated driver can also ensure that everyone arrives home safe. If that isn’t an option, public transportation can get you home in one piece, and if all else fails, see if you can stay the night at your friend’s house after the party concludes or catch a ride with a sober driver to a nearby hotel.
As you might expect, the police are also anticipating the greater number of drivers on the road, and they are looking for people who will be drinking. Because of this, police are out in force during the holidays, stopping cars and setting up DUI checkpoints in place at major intersections or highway exits to ensure that everyone is safely, and soberly, traveling
3. What to Do If You Are Injured During an Accident Involving a Drunk Driver
Individuals injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver should always receive medical treatment first and foremost. Visiting the doctor, hospital, or emergency room (depending on the severity of your injury) not only addresses any injuries you have sustained, but it also documents your visit and generates a report that shows you received treatment. This will prove to work as invaluable evidence should you decide to file a personal injury claim.
Once you have done that, you need an experienced car accident attorney in order to be compensated for your loss. At the De La Garza Law Firm, our McAllen personal injury attorneys take pride in helping those harmed because of the negligent decisions made by other drivers that decided to drink and then get behind the wheel. You don’t have to suffer alone.
