What Percentage of Car Accidents Are Caused by Drinking?
Every time a drunk driver gets behind the wheel, they gamble with the lives of others – a gamble that innocent people often lose. In Alabama, drunk driving is a persistent and alarming issue, contributing to a significant percentage of traffic accidents each year. These incidents are entirely avoidable, yet they continue to claim lives and shatter families due to the thoughtless actions of those who choose to drive while intoxicated.
Percentage of Car Accidents in Alabama Caused by Drunk Drivers
Data from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) shows that drinking is the primary contributor to approximately 3.5% of all car accidents reported in the state. In 2022, a total of 5,005 car accidents were caused by drinking – resulting in 197 deaths. Drivers between the ages of 25 and 29 are more likely to be involved in impaired driving accidents compared to drivers from any other age group.
Nearly 60% of impaired driving accidents in Alabama tend to occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Roughly 24% of impaired driving accidents are reported on Saturday, which is considered the most dangerous day of the week. Approximately 20% of accidents are reported on Sunday and 15% of accidents are reported on Friday.
These days coincide with increased social activities such as parties, sporting events, and late-night outings, where alcohol consumption is more common. The risk is further heightened during late-night hours, particularly between 9 pm and 3 am, with the peak danger period being 12 am. to 2 am. At this time, bars and clubs typically close, leading to a surge in impaired drivers on the road.
The Dangers of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous choices a person can make, as alcohol significantly impairs the physical and mental abilities required to drive safely. The effects of alcohol on the body can turn even a routine drive into a potential disaster, putting everyone on the road at risk.
How Alcohol Physically Impairs Driving Ability
When alcohol enters your bloodstream, it begins to affect critical motor skills and reaction times. Vision becomes blurred or unfocused, which can make it difficult to judge distances or recognize hazards. Muscle coordination – the ability to steer, brake, and accelerate smoothly – is diminished, which can increase the likelihood of losing control of the vehicle.
Even at low blood alcohol levels, reaction times are slower, meaning drivers have less time to respond to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions. As alcohol levels increase, the risk of accidents also increases dramatically, which is why impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatalities on the road.
How Alcohol Affects Judgment and Leads to Reckless Decisions
Beyond its physical effects, alcohol also disrupts cognitive functions, leading to poor decision-making and risky behavior. A drunk driver might misjudge their speed, fail to stop at red lights or stop signs, or engage in aggressive driving like tailgating or weaving through traffic.
Alcohol lowers inhibitions, as a result of which drivers are more likely to take dangerous risks they would typically avoid if sober. These reckless actions not only increase the chances of an accident, but also make the consequences more severe, often leading to catastrophic or fatal outcomes.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim
Calculating All Possible Damages
DUI accidents often result in serious, debilitating injuries and severe psychological trauma, which can require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, pain management, and therapy. Data shows that without skilled legal guidance, victims often settle for far less than they need to cover these lifelong costs. It is one of the most important reasons why you need a skilled and experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer on your side.
Your lawyer can carefully evaluate the short-term as well as long-term physical and mental consequences of your injuries, including future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the impact on your quality of life. They can thoroughly document all your losses, build a strong case backed by solid evidence, and pursue the maximum amount of compensation so that you have the financial support required to rebuild your life.
Pursuing a Dram Shop Claim
In Alabama, you might be able to bring a dram shop claim against a bar, restaurant, or liquor store if it served alcohol to the at-fault driver despite them being visibly intoxicated. Your lawyer can analyze the circumstances of your case to determine if a dram shop claim is viable and build a strong argument against the establishment. By pursuing this additional avenue of compensation, your lawyer can help maximize your recovery.
Pursuing Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Injury Claims
Alabama law allows you to recover punitive damages from the at-fault party if they acted with malice or wanton disregard for others’ safety. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to cover your tangible and intangible losses, punitive damages are designed to punish the impaired driver for their actions and deter similar reckless behavior in the future.
Successful recovery of punitive damages requires a persuasive argument demonstrating that the driver’s actions were egregiously negligent or reckless. Your lawyer can gather compelling evidence such as police reports, witness testimonies, and any evidence of the driver’s intoxication to prove the extent of their wrongdoing and convince the jury of the need to award punitive damages to you.
How Your Alabama Car Accident Attorney Will Prove Fault in a in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim
Proving fault and liability in a drunk driving accident claim requires gathering a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence to establish that the at-fault driver was impaired and caused the crash. Here are the key types of evidence needed:
Police Reports
A police report is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in a drunk driving case. After an accident, law enforcement officers typically document the incident, including any signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, or erratic driving behavior. If the driver was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), the police report might also include details about the arrest and citations issued at the scene.
Chemical Test Results
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results are important in proving that the driver was legally impaired. In Alabama, a BAC of 0.08% or higher constitutes legal intoxication for drivers aged 21 and older. These test results can provide objective evidence of alcohol consumption.
Witness Testimony
Statements from eyewitnesses who saw the driver behaving recklessly or consuming alcohol before the accident can strengthen your claim. Passengers, other drivers, or bystanders may provide accounts of the driver’s actions leading up to the crash.
Video Footage
Footage from surveillance cameras, dashcams, or traffic cameras can show erratic driving, such as swerving, speeding, or running red lights, which is consistent with drunk driving.
Photos from the Accident Scene
Photographic evidence of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible signs of impairment (open alcohol containers in the vehicle) can support your claim. Photos can also help illustrate the severity of the crash, which can establish the driver’s recklessness.
Medical Records
Your medical records can demonstrate the extent of your injuries and link them directly to the accident caused by the drunk driver. Documentation of injuries can also help support claims for damages.
Expert Testimony
Accident reconstruction experts and toxicologists can provide professional opinions to strengthen your case. Accident reconstruction experts can explain how the crash occurred and assign fault, while toxicologists can testify about how alcohol levels impaired the at-fault driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
DUI Conviction Records
If the drunk driver was criminally charged and convicted of DUI, this record can be used as evidence of their negligence in your civil claim.
Injured by a Drunk Driver? Let Our Alabama Car Accident Attorneys Fight for the Compensation You Need
At Smith Law Firm, we understand that a drunk driving accident can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma, which can affect every aspect of your life. That is why we are committed to providing you with the legal help you need to get the justice and compensation you deserve.
We offer highly personalized service and will stand by your side every step of the way, ensuring you receive the support you need while we build a strong case on your behalf. Our goal is to maximize your compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages to hold the drunk driver accountable.
Call our firm today at 334-702-1744 or get in touch with us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned Alabama drunk driving accident lawyers.
