Alcohol kills. Everyone knows that drunk driving is dangerous, but few understand just how dangerous. Statistics don’t lie. They paint the real picture of the many dramas drunk driving causes. Also, when you read some of the numbers below, keep in mind that behind them there are real people, people who were injured or killed because someone thought they could make it home after a night at the bar.
- The most recent report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 11,654 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2020. That’s 28 people who die needlessly every day. More than 1 every hour.
- In 2020, one in 3 traffic fatalities or serious injuries was caused by an impaired driver. The number of those injured is in the hundreds of thousands and some of them will bear the scars for the rest of their lives.
- According to the same NHTSA report, every year more than 200 children are killed in a DUI crash.
- More than two-thirds (68%) of all drunk driving accidents happen at night, which is to be expected. People do need to unwind after a hard day at the job, but if you want to get a drink, have it at home or at least get an Uber.
- DUI accidents are more likely to occur in the summer months – June, July and August. Also, the 4th of July is a particularly dangerous time to be on the road, but this is true of other holidays traditionally celebrated by alcohol-fueled parties, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving.
- Remember 2020, the year the pandemic started? Although drivers across the country traveled 13% fewer miles than the previous year, the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities was up 9%.
- The financial damages caused by DUI accidents are staggering, more than $44 billion per year. And, no, getting damages after a DUI crash is not as easy as you may think. You must find yourself experienced drunk driving accident attorneys and file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. You’ll need lawyers because the fact that the other driver was drunk doesn’t mean they’re automatically at fault. You’ll still have to prove they were negligent.
- Men are by far more likely to drink and drive. Statistics show that 80% of those arrested for drunk driving nationwide are men. Usually young men. In 2020, 27% of drivers aged 21-24 who were involved in fatal DUI crashes had alcohol in their system. For the 25-34 age bracket the percentage is 24%. If you’re wondering about underage drivers the percentage is 15%, which is incredibly high considering that people that age are not allowed to buy alcohol anywhere in the country.
- The problem with young drivers who cause serious accidents is that they may not have the means to pay damages. You’ll need very skilled and creative lawyers to recover the damages you are entitled to.
In many states, you can sue the owner of the establishment that sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated client. Also, if the driver was underage, you may be able to file a lawsuit against their parents.
