Articles Posted in Drunk Driving Accidents

thanksgiving-drinking-1170x660-1-300x169People, during the holidays, downplay drinking, as they are in a festive mood, and therefore drinking becomes more common. However, even when someone feels “buzzed,” they are still driving drunk. If you are hurt by a drunk driver, you should call an Atlanta personal injury attorney as soon as you can.

What the Facts Show

During 2020, 185 fatalities occurred from drunk driving during the Thanksgiving holiday over a period that began at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and ended at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30.

Car keys next to a glass of whiskyFor many, New Year’s Eve is known as a night of revelry and is closely associated with the consumption of alcohol. Unfortunately, all of this partying can result in more drunk drivers on the road than usual – despite well-publicized and effective enforcement efforts by police. In the event that you were injured by a drunk driver on New Year’s eve or any other time, it’s critical that you retain an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer as soon as you can.

Why You Should Retain an Attorney after Drunk Driving Crash

When drunk drivers cause accidents, liability is rarely contested. In most cases, the drunk driver’s insurance company simply agrees to pay victims for their accident-related losses. This fact may leave you wondering why you would need to retain an attorney after an accident caused by an impaired driver.

People toasting with drinks over a Thanksgiving tableMost American holidays involve alcohol, and Thanksgiving is no exception. In fact, the night before Thanksgiving has earned the nickname “blackout Wednesday,” as it’s a popular night for college students who are back home to go out and catch up with old friends. In additon, when you think of a traditional Thanksgiving holiday, you likely think of a gathering with family and having delicious meal, perhaps followed by watching some football with celebratory drinks. Unfortunately, sometimes, holiday drinks turn into holiday drinking and driving, putting everyone on the road at risk. 

In many instances, people who are injured by drunk drivers aredse entitled to compensation under Georgia law. To learn more, call us today to discuss your options with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer.

How alcohol affects your driving ability

A green mug of beer and pretzels on a tableMarch 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Be prepared to be bombarded with lots of Guinness, shamrocks, pots of gold, leprechauns, cabbage, corned beef, and all sorts of green things. But for all the merriment and revelry that St. Patrick’s Day brings, you should also be on high alert for drunk drivers.

It’s vital to keep in mind that alcohol is a huge element in various traffic accidents while you’re enjoying this much-awaited cultural holiday. Here are facts about drunk driving accidents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

  • One of the most dangerous holidays in the U.S. is St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most dangerous holidays in the U.S. is Between 2013 and 2017, 234 people died because of drunk driving accidents. Additionally, in 2017, more than 10,000 people died due to drunk driving incidents, and all of those untimely deaths could have been prevented.

Two people raising glasses at a tableAs Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are looking forward to a long weekend involving rest, relaxation, food, and drink. Unfortunately, sometimes, people drink to excess over the holiday weekend, and Thanksgiving is known as a time when there are more drunk drivers on the road than usual. In fact, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving has been dubbed “Blackout Wednesday” as it’s consistently among the busiest nights of the year for bars.

While the Coronavirus pandemic may make this Thanksgiving look a bit different than other years, it’s still important to be on guard for drunk drivers on the road. In the unfortunate event that you are injured in an accident this Thanksgiving, be sure to call one of our Atlanta car accident lawyers as soon as you can.

How to Avoid Drunk Drivers this Thanksgiving

damaged crash barrier at the roadsideAcross the country, more and more states are legalizing marijuana every year in response to our changing attitude toward the drug. While the recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Georgia, it’s important to remember that marijuana, just like alcohol, can cause impairment when someone gets behind the wheel. Driving while high can lead to serious car accidents that can result in severe injuries to innocent people. 

Georgia DUI Laws

Like every other state, it is illegal in Georgia to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For alcohol, anyone who has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than .08 may be charged with DUI. Because there is currently no way to measure the content of marijuana in the blood, any presence of any amount of marijuana in the blood is sufficient to charge someone with DUI. 

traffic safety barrel in streetDespite our efforts to make our roads safer, the unfortunate reality is that the number of car accident fatalities is trending upward. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has compiled statistics for the years 2009 through 2018, demonstrating an overall increase over the 10 year period. This is alarming for anyone traveling on our highways and underlines the potential hazards that most of us face every day. 

State-wide Car Accident Fatalities

The number of accidents across the state of Georgia has increased during the 2009-2018 time period. There is some fluctuation, but the overall trend is upward

A holiday spread with martini glasses of eggnogChristmas decorations are already appearing in the stores. As we write this, Halloween is only a few days away, with Thanksgiving close behind. Before you know it, it will be Christmas and then New Year’s. For many people, these holidays mean getting together with family and friends and celebrating. Unfortunately, these holidays are among the highest for DUI fatalities. 

The personal injury attorneys at Slappey & Sadd represent the victims of drunk driving accidents in the Atlanta area and across the state of Georgia.  If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, we believe that they should be held accountable. We will fight for your rights to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, call us at 888-474-9616 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation today. 

Drunk Driving Charges vs. A Personal Injury Claim

A bottle of beer being poured into a glassIf someone causes an accident while driving drunk or high, we expect them to be prosecuted criminally. We tend to overlook the fact that the driver may also be held civilly liable for the accident victim’s injuries. Driving while impaired is not only criminal behavior, but it is also negligence. If you’ve been injured by an impaired driver, you may be entitled to compensation. 

The car accident lawyers at Slappey & Sadd have been helping car accident victims across the state of Georgia since 1992. We know what it takes to get you the compensation you need. If you would like to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call us at 404-255-6677 or reach out via our online contact form

Impairment Means More Than Just Drinking and Driving

American flag and sparkler

The Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays – it’s a great time to celebrate our nation with family and friends. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous holidays, especially when it falls on a weekend. Although it falls on a Thursday this year, there will still be a significant number of injuries and even deaths due to the negligence of others.

Founded in 1992, the personal injury law firm of Slappey & Sadd have the knowledge, skill, and experience to help you no matter how you were injured. We work with injured Georgians in Atlanta and across the state. If you’ve been injured and want to understand your options, contact us today to schedule your free consultation by calling 404-255-6677.

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