Why Are Drunk Drivers More Likely to Survive the Crashes They Cause?

Drunk driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents that result in fatalities. However, a confusing question can be asked from this fact: “Why are drunk drivers more likely to survive the crashes they cause?” While families grieve the loss of their loved ones, many drunk drivers walk away from their accidents completely unharmed. A personal injury attorney can make the drunk driver acknowledge and pay compensation for the harm their actions have caused.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?

In the context of driving, alcohol can drastically affect the body. Alcohol is considered a depressant; when someone consumes it, their bodily processes begin to slow down. Vision can become affected as well, which can make it harder to see and react to potential issues. It can also be more difficult to process what’s happening, especially if road conditions suddenly change. This leads drunk drivers to be at a higher risk of causing an accident.

One’s physical condition is also affected by alcohol. If a person is intoxicated, they have less control over coordination and balance. This can make it more difficult for the individual to steer, control the vehicle, and stay in a designated road lane. Other common issues include excessive speeding and failing to stop at a red light or stop sign. Alcohol can impact almost every aspect of the driving task, turning a vehicle into a dangerous instrument.

Legal Implications of Drunk Driving

There are severe consequences for individuals who are found to be driving while intoxicated, especially if they cause another person to become injured or pass away. Prosecutors can charge the drunk driver with a DUI, and potentially bring additional charges based on the exact situation. If an individual died as a result of drunk driving, the driver could be convicted of vehicular manslaughter, which can lead to prison time and losing their license.

Civil cases are entirely different from criminal cases. While criminal charges are brought on by the state, civil cases are normally filed by the victims of the accident or their loved ones in the event of the victim’s death. They are often pursuing compensation for the damages the driver caused them and their family. Drunk drivers are often found to be at fault in these cases, but victims can receive more in compensation with the help of an attorney.

How Drunk Driving Is Prevented

It can be difficult to entirely eradicate drunk driving, but Louisiana law enforcement has attempted to do so through numerous avenues. During events that encourage drinking, like sports games, sobriety checkpoints have been created to randomly stop drivers and check whether they seem intoxicated. Even if the checkpoints are publicized before they are put into effect, the public’s awareness of them can make them more hesitant to drive while intoxicated.

Furthermore, certain tools, like ignition interlock devices, are often placed in the cars of individuals convicted of driving under the influence. For the vehicle to start, the driver has to breathe into the device. It then analyzes the blood alcohol content and only starts the vehicle if it is below the legal limit. This device can prevent additional instances of drunk driving from the same person.

By getting an attorney involved in a civil case, there might also be a possibility of preventing future incidents via punitive damages. These types of damages are meant to punish drunk drivers and prevent them from engaging in similar actions later. By penalizing these drivers with fines, the legal system can prevent the offender from committing the same crime and also provide justice for the victims and families affected.

FAQs

Why Are Drunk Drivers More Likely to Survive a Crash?

Drunk drivers are more likely to survive a crash because their muscles are more relaxed, leading to their body not tensing up as much during a collision. This can prevent more severe injuries that sober people experience after a car accident. Alcohol also impairs a person’s reflexes. This might make them less aware that a crash is even happening, so they don’t brace for impact as much. Drunk drivers are also more likely to cause severe accidents.

Do Drunk Drivers Cause More Accidents?

Drunk drivers do cause more accidents than sober drivers. Drinking and driving affects a driver’s reaction times and increases their risk of getting into a collision. One of the most common causes of fatalities in car accidents is being hit by a drunk driver. Drivers can cause accidents at any level of intoxication, but the more intoxicated someone is, the more likely they are to cause a car accident.

What Should I Do If I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?

If you were hit by a drunk driver, you should move everyone to a safe place and call emergency services. Take as much visual evidence as possible, and be sure to note how the other driver was acting, which can help prove their intoxication. If there were any witnesses who saw the crash, get their contact information as well so they can support your statements. Inform the police about what happened when they arrive, and let them know of your suspicions.

Why Is Drunk Driving Unsafe?

Drunk driving is unsafe because it reduces a driver’s competencies while operating their vehicle. Even if they are a safe driver while sober, alcohol can affect your vision, coordination, and how you make decisions, which are important skills to use while driving. Drunk driving can lead to losing control of the vehicle, not judging distances correctly, and not reacting to road hazards in time to avoid a collision.

Prevent Future Accidents Claims with Skilled Lawyers

There is no simple answer to why drunk drivers survive the crashes they cause, but there is no doubt that they leave behind significant consequences. If you have been affected by a drunk driving accident, legal help is available through an attorney. Schedule a consultation with Murphy Law Firm today to find a way to move forward after a tragic drunk driving accident.