Were you injured in a drunk driving accident on Polk County’s roads? Every day, the devastating consequences of drunk driving impact countless lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 37 people die every day in the United States due to alcohol-related crashes. That’s one preventable death every 39 minutes! Just last week one of our beloved retired Sheriff’s Office sergeants, 69-year-old Dan Cooley, died after sustaining serious injuries in a drunk driving crash. The driver struck him as he attempted to remove an obstacle (after it fell from his vehicle) in the middle of Van Fleet Drive in Bartow and protect his fellow motorists. Sargeant Cooley, who retired in 2007, should still be alive, but sadly, an individual’s poor decision to drive while intoxicated took his life. These tragedies are preventable!
Fatalities aren’t the only danger one faces in a drunk driving accident, though; individuals impacted also face serious injuries, financial burdens, and legal consequences. Those who drive under the influence of alcohol selfishly put everyone around them in danger.
How?
Drunk drivers are dangerous because…
They have impaired judgment and reaction time.
One of the most significant risks posed by those driving under the influence is altered cognitive function. Alcohol impairs the senses and affects the brain’s ability to make quick decisions or operate with sound judgment. It slows reaction times, making it harder for a driver to respond quickly to sudden changes in traffic, obstacles in the road, or pedestrians.
They have decreased coordination and vision.
As noted above, alcohol impairs the brain’s function. That means muscle coordination and vision are both impacted by consuming alcohol. Each of these abilities is crucial for safe driving. Blurred vision, difficulty tracking, and reduced hand-eye coordination increase the risk of an accident. These physical effects of drinking often lead to swerving, misjudging distances, or losing awareness of surroundings.
They increase the risk of fatalities and serious injuries on the road.
Due to the aforementioned impairments, drunk driving significantly increases the chances of severe accidents on the road. These crashes frequently result in deaths and catastrophic injuries, many of which cause lifelong suffering for impacted individuals. These injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), lacerations, burns, and psychological trauma. The secondary impacts for victims include overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term pain and suffering.
Choosing to drive while intoxicated carries serious repercussions, as it should. Drivers convicted of a DUI usually face fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even jail time. If a drunk driver causes an accident, they could be held responsible for damages, medical bills, and compensation for the individual/family for pain and suffering.
How can I protect myself from a drunk driving accident?
The thought of a drunk driving accident and its consequences is scary. After all, you can’t control the actions of others on the road! However, you can take these proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones when you get behind the wheel.
- Stay alert and drive defensively. Always be aware of your surroundings and know how to spot the erratic behavior of other drivers so you can avoid them in time.
- Avoid driving late at night. Most drunk driving accidents occur after dark, especially on weekends or during holidays.
Prevent a drunk driving accident! If you suspect that a driver is intoxicated, report them to authorities immediately.
- Always wear your seatbelt. This is one of the simplest, but most effective, ways to avoid serious injury in a drunk driving accident. Young children should always be safely secured in approved, age-appropriate seats!
- Report suspected drunk drivers. If you see behavior that indicates an intoxicated driver (swerving, excessively slow/fast speeds, reckless decisions, etc.) report them immediately! It’s better to be safe than sorry. If possible provide law enforcement with details like the make, model, color, and location of the vehicle in question. You could save lives with one simple phone call!
- Educate others about the risks of drunk driving. Spreading awareness is where change begins. Teach your children and teen drivers about safe driving practices, designated drivers, and the dangers of alcohol. Remind them to never get into a vehicle with a driver who’s been drinking!
I was injured in a drunk driving accident. What should I do?
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident, you have legal options and the dedicated attorneys at Brooks Law Group ready to help you navigate them. We’re here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. A personal injury claim can assist in recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and a variety of other losses after a crash. In cases of extreme negligence (like drunk driving), punitive damages are also employed to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Seeking legal representation as soon as possible after your accident is crucial. Experienced drunk driving accident attorneys can investigate your crash, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive the help you deserve. Accident lawyers also make sure you’re represented in court when holding drivers accountable after a drunk driving accident. The team at Brooks Law Group puts people first. You are never “just another number” with our firm. We know your name, see your suffering, and do our best to make sure you’re taken care of after your accident. You’re never alone. By operating on a contingency fee, we assure that you never have to wonder if you can afford our services. Book your free consultation today and discuss the details of your case.
Drunk driving is a serious threat to our community, and we are dedicated to making Polk County’s roads safer by spreading awareness and standing up for injured individuals and their families. If you’ve been affected by a drunk driving accident in Florida, we have offices throughout the state ready to help you. Look to Brooks!
