Drinking alcohol has incredibly complex effects on both the body and mind. From the warm buzz to the unpleasant wine headache or the hangover, the impact differs from person to person. The aftereffects depend on your drinking habits, health, age, and other variables. According to research, excessive drinking can have adverse short- and long-term consequences. It may affect your job, finances, family, community, physique, and mental health. A study shows that moderate consumption is the key to the entire process of legalizing alcohol. Unfortunately, drunk drivers account for about 30% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. A DUI accident lawyer can help you to understand this case in a better way.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a DUI accident, don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact drunk driving accident lawyer at Phillips Law Offices today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers at (312) 598-0917. We will review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal rights and options.
According to the US Department of Transportation, about 32 drivers die in drunk-driving crashes daily, or one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,654 people died in traffic accidents caused by drunk driving, a 14% increase from the previous year. When people drive drunk, they are subject to legal consequences, like legal action from anyone who suffered injuries because of their negligence.
About DUI accidents
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are terms used to describe alcohol-related driving behavior. These terms cover all motorized vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, golf carts, and boats. However, cars and motorcycles are the most commonly discussed topics regarding drunk driving. They are more prevalent on public roads and tend to pose the greatest risk. These impaired drivers often are offenders, as their heinous actions could cause injuries or even death. Their devastating behavior could not only harm themselves but also wound innocent victims. Lawyers for DUI accidents work to ensure that these innocent sufferers receive compensation for the egotistical and reckless acts of DUI and DWI culprits.
Alcohol-impaired driving stimulates negligence, and those who cause accidents while doing so could face criminal charges. Sadly, this provides little solace to those who experience wrongful death, brain damage, and other severe injuries because of alcohol-related accidents. Even though these victims are eligible for substantial compensation, it will never be enough to offset their physical and emotional losses. However, victims must receive all available compensation, including any punitive damages. Though drivers guilty of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) are liable and must pay for all damages, other parties may also be held accountable or negligent in some cases.
Risks of drunk driving
Alcohol significantly impairs a person’s judgment, coordination, reaction time, concentration, and vision- all innate qualities crucial for safe driving. You run the risk of mishappening to you or someone else if alcohol affects these abilities. The legal limit for driving in the United States is 0.08 percent, but even lower BAC levels can impair driving capacity. So, avoid being on the road if you’ve had any alcohol. No matter how well you can control your alcohol consumption, steering under intoxication puts you at a higher risk of getting into an accident, injuring someone, or even causing wrongful deaths. Let us know more about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Poor decision-making
Alcohol consumption affects the reasoning and judgemental center of your brain. Since intoxication lowers inhibitions, people make decisions without thinking through the consequences. They often make irresponsible judgments, assuming that drinking and driving are safe. Distracted driving makes it harder to anticipate potential road hazards. Moreover, drinking contributes to memory loss, also known as blackouts, in which your brain fails to convert short-term memories into long-term ones. When this occurs, you may be unaware of your actions until your body reaches a BAC of 0.16 percent. When driving during a blackout, your decision-making capacity is worse. Not only do you risk an accident, but you also risk forgetting important details if something happens while driving.
Reduced vision
The short-term effects of alcohol on your eye sights make it unsafe for you to drive in the hours following consumption. The most common side effect of heavy drinking is blurry vision (or double vision). As a depressant, alcohol slows reaction times and impairs coordination, leading to weaker eye-muscle coordination. Drinking too much alcohol over time can cause permanent damage to your brain cells and neurotransmitters. It can further weaken your eye muscles and cause vision distortion.
Another effect of slower reaction times caused by drinking is that the iris takes longer to contract, which causes the pupil to shrink. The pupil lets light into the eye, but too much light can enter if the iris doesn’t close quickly enough when exposed to bright light. Additionally, the general physical clumsiness that comes with having a few drinks can make it difficult to see, which is one of the reasons that driving while intoxicated is so dangerous. According to studies, the eye’s capacity to compensate for brightness reduces by 30% when a person’s blood alcohol level is at the legal driving limit. Not only this, drinking too much alcohol can reduce your contrast sensitivity, making it more challenging for you to distinguish between various shades and colors. A drunk driving accident attorneys can help you in this situation.
Ineffective coordination
According to recent research, blood alcohol levels as low as 0.015 percent can impair coordination by more than 20%. Alcohol has a nervous system-altering effect on the body and impairs motor abilities like hand, eye, and foot coordination. These coordination skills are vital for driving a car safely. Drivers with poor hand-eye coordination struggle to insert their keys in the ignition, swerve on the road, and have difficulty steering.
Law enforcement officers use hand-eye coordination tests during sobriety tests to help them determine whether a driver is under the influence. They do this by asking the driver to balance on one foot, walk in a straight line, or follow their finger with their eyes. You might find it hard to start the car or put the keys in the ignition if you have poor coordination. You should not, under any circumstances, be operating a motor vehicle at this point because you endanger yourself and others.
Accident prone
Around the world, traffic accidents are a leading cause of injuries, disability, and fatalities. Alcohol impairment significantly enhances the risk of being in a collision for drivers. According to the World Health Organisation, drunk driving is a primary contributor to 27% of all traffic accidents. Therefore, driving while intoxicated is a serious public health issue that puts passengers, pedestrians, and drunk drivers at risk. Even at low blood alcohol levels, motorists have difficulties concentrating, coordinating, and recognizing hazards on the road. Additionally, if high speed or poor road design is present, drink-driving accidents may be more severe or frequent at a given blood alcohol level.
Possible legal consequences
One of the risks of drinking is that once the intoxicating effects start to kick in, one’s intentions, like having a good time, can get lost. An arrest for driving while intoxicated (DUI) is one of the most frequent legal issues connected to drinking. ‘Operating a vehicle while intoxicated’ (OWI) or ‘driving while intoxicated’ (DWI) are common phrases used in some jurisdictions. The legal repercussions of driving following alcohol consumption vary depending on the jurisdiction, and state-level laws establish these regulations. The most tragic unintended result of drinking and driving is that DUI can result in fatalities.
According to research, 33 percent of people detained for DUI are repeat offenders.
Driving while intoxicated can have legal repercussions, such as alcohol treatment mandated by the court, jail time, fines, license restrictions, and job loss. Additionally, state law allows for the impoundment of vehicles owned by arrested drivers. Typically, only persistent offenders will have their cars seized. Vehicle impoundment often happens outside the criminal court process through a different administrative procedure. After paying fines and administrative costs, your impounded car will get retrieved. Those who have custody of children but are found guilty of DUI lose their parental rights. Creating a secure environment for children is necessary for having them with you. In most states, the noncustodial parent has a right to a custody hearing when a custodial parent is found guilty of a DUI.
DUI preventive measures
The risk of drunk driving is not worth taking. Drink-and-drive is risky regardless of whether your blood alcohol level is above or below the legal limit. With a BAC as low as 0.01 percent, alcohol can impair your ability to drive. Even if you stopped, had involvement in an accident, or damaged property, consequences can be severe. It can result in fatalities and legal repercussions. However, several resources are available to protect ourselves and others from the risks of drunk driving. While the most significant preventative measure is to avoid drunk driving under any circumstances, others include:
- Go for ride-share services.
- Have a non-drinking designated driver.
- Prefer a non-alcoholic beverage like a soft drink.
- Never get in a vehicle with a drunk driver.
- Ask your trusted friend to drive.
- Know your drinking limits.
- Stay overnight where you are.
Alcoholism is a chronic brain disorder characterized by binge drinking and depressive thoughts. It can lead to poor decision-making and irresponsible behavior. Remember the dangers of drunk driving the next time you consider getting behind the wheel after a few drinks. The consequences of drunk driving can be intense and can alter the course of your life. So, always keep other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe by hailing a sober ride or staying put. If you suffer from alcoholism and believe it is the source of your desire to drive drunk, seek professional help. There are several alcohol rehab programs available to assist those suffering from alcoholism. The treatments include alcohol detoxification and inpatient/outpatient programs.
Contact Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorney at Phillips Law Offices
The laws governing liability for drunk driving-related fatalities and serious injuries differ from state to state. Contact a Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer if you or someone you know has sustained injuries in drunk driving accident. Our drunk driving accident lawyer at Phillips Law Offices are proficient and committed to assisting victims in obtaining maximum monetary compensation. Since lawsuits must be filed before an applicable expiration date (Statute of Limitations), call us at (312) 598-0917 or contact us as soon as possible. We will submit files within statutory deadlines, ensuring you do not lose your right to funds. The DUI reimbursement will cover your medical bills, lost wages, car repair costs, pain, and suffering.
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