Drunk drivers are probably the biggest hazard that motorists face on the road each holiday season. These drivers kill hundreds of people in late December and injure thousands more because they get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. If you were struck by a drunk driver, we can help. Contact our Miami motor vehicle accident lawyers today.
The Grim Statistics
Although many people enjoy a spiked eggnog around the Christmas tree, far too many people are driving after imbibing unhealthy amounts of alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2018 holiday season saw 285 drunk driving fatalities. Although the government did not report the number injured, we can safely assume that thousands more landed in the emergency room with serious injuries.
Drunk driving makes up a very large percentage of fatal accidents—roughly half of those on New Year’s Eve, according to the National Safety Council. Other holidays like the Fourth of July see more total fatal accidents, but the week running from Christmas to New Year’s sees the biggest jump in drunk driving deaths.
Drugged driving is also a problem. According to NHTSA, almost half of the drivers given a drug test failed. Drugs can dramatically impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle, including their ability to make sensible decisions. With many states decriminalizing marijuana, we expect more drugged driving accidents in the future.
Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones
There is no surefire way to protect yourself from drunk drivers other than not going out during the holidays, which is not realistic. However, you can at least minimize the risks:
- Don’t engage in drunk driving yourself. Always have a designated driver or use Uber or a taxi to get back home.
- Pay attention while driving at night. This means putting away cell phones and other sources of distraction. You might need to take sudden defensive action.
- Call the cops on any dangerous driver you see swerving all over the road.
- Buckle up. Your odds of surviving a wreck increase if you are wearing a seat belt.
- Watch for drivers to drift into your lane. Some drunk drivers fall asleep behind the wheel, so drifting into oncoming traffic is a common accident.
Stay Safe this Holiday Season
Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein is committed to protecting the community whenever one of us is injured. Please call 305-371-2692 to speak with one of our Miami car accident lawyers today to find out more information about your legal rights following a drunk driving crash.