With the Holiday Season in Full Swing, Be Wary of Drunk Drivers

Holiday festivities are in full force as the New Year approaches. While families and friends come together for the holiday season, alcoholic beverages often accompany the parties. But as you and your loved ones bring in the new year, watch out for impaired drivers on the roads. Additionally, if you or a member of your family are injured in a collision involving negligence or alcohol impairment, contact a Lake County personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and options available for recovery.

Drinking and Driving Kills

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 29 people die in drunk driving accidents every day throughout the United States. While fatal collisions involving alcohol impairment have steadily decreased over the last three decades, drunk driving accidents still result in more than 10,000 fatalities annually.

To this day, drinking and driving represents a massive portion of traffic-related deaths. In 2015, the 10,265 collision fatalities involving alcohol impairment accounted for just under one-third of all vehicular fatalities. Even more concerning is the consistent statistical rise in drunk driving fatalities around the holidays.

Drunk Driving During the Holidays

The holidays are a fantastic time for families and friends to come together and share the year's blessings. Unfortunately, the holidays are also a notorious time of year for driving while under the influence of alcohol. According to the NHTSA, traffic fatalities due to alcohol inebriation more than double during the holiday season.

Throughout the month of December, alcohol impairment is responsible for 28 percent of all traffic fatalities. In the time period between Christmas and the New Year, drunk driving is responsible for 40 percent of deaths on the road. Due in large part to the increase of impaired drivers on the road, January 1 is now one of the two deadliest days of driving throughout the calendar year.

Steps to Take Post-Crash

The physical, emotional, and psychological aftermath of a serious car accident can be incredibly difficult to navigate alone. Moreover, the financial responsibilities of recovery post accident can be devastating.

At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C. we have over three decades of experience serving our clients and helping personal injury victims in need. If you or a loved one are unfortunately a part of a collision involving alcohol-related negligence, please contact our knowledgeable and compassionate Lake County personal injury attorneys. Call 847-662-3303 today or visit us online.

Sources:

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/RethinkHoliday/NIAAA_NYE_Fact_Sheet_2011.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving