Causes of Accidents: Drunk Driving
Almost 30 people die every day due to drunk driving accidents. That equates to one person every 50 minutes, and over 10,000 people each year. Even though drunk driving numbers have decreased every decade over the past 30 years, it is still plaguing this country, injuring and killing innocent bystanders every hour. Alcohol’s Effect on Drivers Alcohol inhibits the brain’s ability to react to situations. During decision-making, signals are delayed as they are sent through the body. Here are some specific driving functions that are impaired by alcohol: Reflexes – When a person is under the influence of alcohol, their reflexes are shorter, inhibiting their ability to make quick decisions. Concentration – In order to drive safely, drivers must be able to multitask. They need to be aware of their own car, as well as the other cars around them. An intoxicated driver does not have the ability to concentrate on multiple things at once. Understanding Signs and Signals – A drunk driver has a difficult time understanding basic traffic signs and signals, putting themselves and others in grave danger. Signs of Drunk Driving Intoxicated drivers pose a major risk to themselves and others when they get behind the wheel. They tend to attempt to fool other drivers into thinking that they are driving well. Here are some signs to look for while on the road: Wide and Slow Turns – When a driver is impaired, it is difficult for them to make a simple turn. Drunk drivers tend to take turns slower than usual, making a wide turn radius. Hugging the Center Lane – Most intoxicated people are aware that swerving and erratic behavior is a sure sign of driving drunk. Subsequently, drivers will overcompensate by driving slowly and staying close to the center lane to help keep their car straight. Driving Below the Speed Limit – Drivers under the influence tend to stay more than ten miles-per-hour under the speed limit. They are also known to come to a complete stop when they are supposed to be moving. Statistics According to The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, there were 10,511 intoxicated driving fatalities in the United States in 2018. In addition, there were 61 in the state of Utah. Nationally, 28.8 percent of car accident deaths were due to drunk drivers in 2018. In Utah, the percentage was 23.5. Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended some ideas to help prevent impaired driving. These recommendations include: Sobriety checkpoints High-visibility saturated patrols Alcohol treatment programs School-based instructional programs Taking these steps will hopefully continue the reduction of fatalities due to driving under the influence, making the roads a safer place. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Fights Against Drunk Driving If you or a loved one has been in an accident as a result of driving under the influence, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help. Our highly trained accident attorneys understand the grief and pain that comes from an accident that was not your fault. We will fight to help you receive the proper compensation you deserve. We have offices in Orem, Provo, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan, Utah. Schedule your free case evaluation today.
Who is Legally Responsible in Drunk Driving Accidents?
Drunk driving accidents can result in physical and emotional pain, as well as financial difficulties. Impaired driving is illegal and life-threatening. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Drunk Driving Accidents Explained If intoxicated driving is so dangerous, why do people do it? Some people do it so that they can make it home after drinking at a bar or restaurant. The victim of a drunk driving collision must understand which steps to take right after the accident while coping with the initial shock and trauma of the crash. They often sustain debilitating, sometimes life-threatening injuries as a result, so it’s crucial to understand which parties may be held legally accountable. Often, multiple parties can be held responsible. Discover more about liability in intoxicated collisions below. The Drunk Driver In every personal injury case, the victims must prove that their injuries are the result of the defendant’s negligent behavior. Driving under the influence qualifies as negligent behavior because it endangers other drivers. Although most people know that drunk drivers can be held liable in intoxicated driving cases, they aren’t the only party that may face repercussions. Bars and Restaurants Believe it or not, the licensed vendor that sold the drunk driver alcohol may be held responsible for a victim’s injuries in some states. For instance, in Utah, three potential violations can serve as the foundation for a lawsuit: Serving alcohol to a minor (someone under age 21) Serving alcohol to someone who is already under the influence of drugs or alcohol Serving alcohol to an interdicted person, which is someone who has been ordered by a court not to drink alcohol. A victim can use all three of the above violations in a dram shop claim if the perpetrator drives while intoxicated or starts a bar fight later on. For instance, let’s say a bartender continues to serve a man who is clumsy, slurs his speech, and is visibly inebriated. If he gets into a car accident on his way home and hits another driver, the vendor may be held liable for continuing to serve a visibly drunk patron. On the other hand, the vendor may not be held liable if they stopped serving the man drinks once they noticed that he had one too many. Social Hosts People who serve alcohol to guests in their home are known as social hosts, and sometimes, they can be held liable for a victim’s injuries. For example, if a woman hosts a party with alcohol in her house, she must confirm that every person drinking is over 21. Furthermore, she must watch her guests carefully to determine who is drinking too much so that she can stop serving them alcohol. It’s important to note that in Utah, social hosts can only be held liable if the perpetrator of a drunk driving accident was a minor under 21. If a drunk adult causes a car crash, the social host won’t be found liable. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is Here for You Establishing fault in drunk driving accidents is difficult when there are multiple parties involved. If a drunk driver recently struck you, an experienced dram shop liability attorney from Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you receive compensation. We have offices in Utah County and West Jordan. Schedule your free case evaluation today.
What Does a Dram Shop Liability Lawyer Do?
If a person becomes injured because of a drunk driver, an intoxicated attacker, or the negligence of an inebriated individual, dram shop laws allow you to sue and hold businesses or their employees liable for damages. Establishments and their employees who provide alcohol to an intoxicated person can be held. Learn more about what a dram shop liability lawyer does below. Definition of a Dram Shop Liability Lawyer If you or someone you love were in an accident involving alcohol and became injured, you deserve compensation from all responsible parties. The individual that caused your injuries may not be the only one held liable — the business (or their employee) may also be held accountable for damages responsible and accountable for your injury. This means a victim (or injured plaintiff) can sue a restaurant, bar, or another alcohol retailer, as well as the individual who served the perpetrator alcohol. When an unfortunate event, such as this, occurs, it is important to seek the counsel and guidance of a dram shop liability attorney. A dram shop liability lawyer will determine whether or not dram shop liability applies. If the person or business who supplied the alcohol to the perpetrator is also at fault, your attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Obtaining this compensation may not be possible without the representation of a dram shop liability lawyer, it is, at very least, much more difficult. A dram shop liability attorney will work for you, protect your rights, and give you the guidance you need during this challenging time. Why Should I Hire a Dram Shop Liability Attorney? Proving fault in a dram shop case can be a challenging task. It can be difficult for the bartender, restaurant, or waiter to know how much a patron has already had to drink, how much alcohol they can handle, or whether they are drinking on an empty stomach or not. But to win your dram shop liability case, you will need to prove that the perpetrator was obviously and apparently drunk (to you and other people). Some people do a decent job pretending they are sober and may not seem drunk at all. While the individual’s blood-alcohol level will be taken into account, it may not be evidence enough. Taking this head-on without a knowledgeable and practiced lawyer is overwhelming and daunting for most. An attorney who has years of experience in dram shop liabilities and the knowledge to back it up dramatically increases your chances of a successful outcome. It is best to talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible in these cases, so you can gather as much evidence and witnesses while possible. The Attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Can Help The skilled lawyers at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton have extensive experience in handling dram shop liability claims. With over 50 years of combined legal knowledge and experience, our team of attorneys will provide comprehensive representation and help navigate this complex process. Schedule your free case evaluation at one of our offices throughout Utah County and West Jordan today.