Drunk Driving: Why It's Never OK to Drive Under the Influence

For years, drunk driving has been an epidemic across U.S. roadways. Far too many people overindulge and then put lives at risk once they start their vehicles. Repeat offenders are all over the road. Underage drivers think it’s safe to have a beer or two and get behind the wheel. It’s never OK. 

If you or a family member was injured in a drunk driving accident in Houston, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Seerden Law Firm, PLLC, to learn your legal options. 

Drunk Driving Statistics

The statistics show just how dangerous impaired driving can be.

• 20.1 percent of Zebra survey respondents aged 35 to 44 know someone who has been killed in a drunk driving accident.
  
• 26.6 percent of female Zebra survey respondents aged 18 to 24 admitted to driving while buzzed.
  
• 37.4 percent of college-age Zebra survey respondents believed they were able to drive safely after three or four drinks.
  
• From 2006 to 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported more than 10,000 deaths from drunk driving collisions.
  
• In 2016, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
  
• Drugs other than alcohol — both legal and illegal — are involved in roughly 16 percent of motor vehicle crashes.
  
• Of the 1,233 traffic fatalities among children ages 0 to 14 in 2016, 17 percent involved an alcohol-impaired driver.In 2016, more than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. That is 1 percent of the 111 million self-reported instances of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.
  

There are many options to prevent yourself from being a danger if you’ve been drinking. Do your part to put an end to impaired driving by reading and sharing the following tips.  

Tips to Prevent Drunk Driving

Take a rideshare, like Uber or Lyft.

Rideshare services have become extremely popular — especially with younger adults. Half of 18-to 24-year-old Zebra survey respondents said they use rideshare services every time they go out drinking.

Use a designated driver.

Have a designated driver any time you plan to be drinking. Being a designated driver doesn’t mean having two drinks early in the night and then stopping. It means not drinking at all throughout the entire night to ensure that everyone gets home safely.

Sleep and sober up.

If you’ve had too much to drink, the only way to truly sober up is to rest and wait. Sleeping for a few hours can save someone’s life. Being a few hours late getting back home is a much better option than driving after drinking.

Call law enforcement if you know someone is driving while impaired.

If your impaired friend or family member isn’t cooperating and drives off, call the police. It’s an uncomfortable situation, but it’s the responsible thing to do.  

What to Do After A Drunk Driving Accident

Even if you take every preventive measure to avoid drunk driving, there’s no way to guarantee that the drivers on the road around you are sober, too. If you have been involved in a drunk driving crash, there are some essential steps that you need to take to protect your legal rights.

• Make sure everyone is OK: Check to see if anyone in the vehicle — including yourself — is hurt. You should never get out of the vehicle if the injury appears serious, unless it is too dangerous to remain in the car.
  
• Call the police: Always contact the police after an accident. Once they arrive, they will determine the cause of the accident and file a report.
  
• Gather information: It’s critical to collect as much information as possible about the accident while you are at the scene. Get the insurance information of every driver involved, including his or her name, address, telephone number, insurance company, insurance policy number and the make and model of the vehicle(s).
  
• Document the scene: Write down everything you can remember about the accident. You should also use a journal to write down your injuries and their progression as you heal.
  
• Take photographs: A cell phone picture will do. Take pictures of the accident scene from as many angles as possible. Include vehicle damage, skid marks, broken glass, environmental hazards and anything else you believe may be relevant to your accident case. Include photos of your injuries and property damage, which can be used to support your claim for compensation with the insurance company or the court.
  
• Contact a DUI attorney: Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering, among other damages. At the Seerden Law Firm, PLLC, we will ensure that an experienced Houston drunk driving lawyer will listen to your story, prepare your case carefully, and fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf. 
  

Injured in a DUI Accident? Reach Out to A Houston Drunk Driving Lawyer Now

If you’ve been the victim of a DUI wreck in Texas, you have legal options. You need a strong drunk driving lawyer to demand maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

Get the professional and courteous legal services you need by calling or contacting Seerden Law Firm, PLLC, for a free consultation.