If you are injured by a drunk driver in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, call the Roeser Law Firm for help. Our attorneys are experienced in drunk driving accidents and help bring your case to a successful conclusion.
Injuries in a Drunk Driving Accident – Roeser Law Firm
Drunk driving causes many injuries and more than 10,000 deaths nationwide. This is due to the inebriated driver’s lack of cognitive ability, loss of coordination and inability to make valid judgments. We’ll take a look at the types of accidents that usually involve drunk drivers, the injuries they cause and the liability that is involved.
Statistics of Drunk Driving
Nationwide, one-third of all traffic-related deaths involve a drunk driver. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die on the nation’s roads daily.
In Washington, D.C., the latest data suggests that:
- The number of fatalities decreased somewhat by 1.16 percent in 2018, only to rise again by 2020.
- Likewise, alcohol-related injuries decreased by roughly 6 percent in 2018 but rose by 2020.
- DUI-related arrests increased by approximately 3.5 percent in the same time period.
Common Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers
Some accidents are more closely linked to drunk driving.
- Rear-end collisions: A drunk driver has a slower reaction time. When the lead vehicle slows down or stops due to heavy traffic, the drunk driver is unable to react in time to avoid an accident. The inebriated motorist falsely believes they can respond appropriately.
- Head-On collisions: Often, the drunk driver falls asleep at the wheel for a varying length of time, making it easy to veer into an adjacent lane. On a two-lane road, this is a recipe for a head-on accident. Since the impact’s momentum combines both vehicle’s speed and weight, the deadly nature of a head-on collision is easy to understand. While not as frequent as other types of accidents, this type of collision is often deadly.
- The drunk driver’s visual acuity is diminished and seeing a pedestrian crossing the road is difficult, especially at night. Being hit by a speeding vehicle means almost certain death for the walker.
- Wrong-way drunk driving is common and can lead to multiple-vehicle accidents. This type of drunk driving accident occurs because an inebriated motorist has difficulty interpreting lane markings or traffic signs. It is common for the drunk driver not to realize they are heading into an entrance or exit ramp the wrong way.
Injuries in a Drunk Driving Accident
A variety of injuries occur due to drunk driving. Some of the most common are:
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries cause significant morbidity and often lead to persistent disability. Due to the nature of the injury, hospitalization is often required and can be extensive. This leads to substantial medical bills, including charges for home care and medical appliances as well as rehabilitative services. It is important that a brain-injured person be compensated for the costs of a drunk driving-related brain injury.
- Spinal injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord, vertebrae and the spinal nervous-system complex are included. Surgical intervention is often necessary along with months to years of rehabilitation efforts. All costs, including the need for rehabilitative medical devices, should be compensated.
- Osseous injuries: Bone fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries often result from a drunk driving accident, especially to a pedestrian,
Liability in a Drunk Driver Accident
In most alcohol-related accidents, the intoxicated driver is liable for the injuries and deaths of accident victims. Since it is illegal to drive and drink, the authorities may file criminal charges against the offender. It is possible to use the criminal charges against the defendant in a personal injury lawsuit. This is important since criminal charges are beyond a reasonable doubt, while a preponderance of the evidence is needed in civil cases.
Roeser Law Firm
If you are injured by a drunk driver in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, call the Roeser Law Firm for help. Our attorneys are experienced in drunk driving accidents and help bring your case to a successful conclusion. We can be reached at (202) 660-4070 to schedule a free case review. You can also contact us online if that is easier for you. We work hard to ensure clients receive the compensation they deserve when a drunk driving accident occurs.
