Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the U.S. According to statistics, more than 500,000 people are injured annually in alcohol related accidents. Buncombe County saw an increase in alcohol related collisions in 2011, jumping to 18 percent. There were also 4 percent more arrests on impaired driving charges.
Injuries and death caused by drunk drivers are preventable. If people stopped to think about the consequences and the fact that innocent lives are at stake, we would probably have less alcohol-related collisions.
Here are some statistics according to a 2010 study cited by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD):
An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest.
One in three 8th graders drinks alcohol.
One in three will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.
Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.
50 to 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.
One in five teens binge drink. Only 1 in 100 parents believes his or her teen binge drinks.
Teen alcohol use kills about 6000 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and one out of three of those is alcohol related.
Drunk driving costs each adult in this country almost $500 per year.
Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.
Driving under the influence is a crime and the state will prosecute the driver criminally, but the victims of drink driving accidents have the right to sue for punitive damages. The intoxicated driver willfully and recklessly got behind the wheel and caused a wreck and he/she is liable for your injuries.
The driver is not the only one that can be held accountable; determining where and how the drinking occurred is important and other potential defendants can be pursued. Bars, clubs and others serving the driver may also be liable. Lawsuits against them have legal hurdles and Fisher Stark Cash, P.A. has the skill to surmount them.
The injuries that arise from alcohol related collisions can be life altering. The individuals involved and their families can experience significant financial burdens as well as pain and suffering. If a loved one has passed, the trauma can be devastating. Typically the family is entitled to recover damages from the wrongful death including expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs.
The personal injury attorneys at Fisher Stark Cash pursue claims against drunk drivers. If you or a loved one are the victim of an alcohol-related collision you need a reputable and skilled law firm. Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers has courtroom experience and will fully litigate your claim.