How Many Car Accidents Are Caused by Drunk Driving?
It happens all too often – you hear sirens in the distance and see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles ahead. As you drive by, you see the mangled remains of what were once two cars, now intertwined in a devastating collision. And all too frequently, the cause is the same: drunk driving.
Drunk driving remains one of the most serious threats to public safety on Alabama roads and highways. The choice to get behind the wheel while intoxicated puts the driver, passengers, and everyone else sharing the road at grave risk of injury and death.
Drunk Driving by the Numbers
Just how frequently do drunk driving accidents happen in Alabama and across the United States? The statistics are sobering:
- According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, there were 5,005 alcohol-related crashes in the state in 2022.
- Those Alabama drunk driving accidents in 2022 caused 2,657 injuries and 197 fatalities.
- Alabama ranks above the national average for impaired driving deaths. While drunk driving fatalities have generally trended down over the past decade, Alabama still sees 3.3 deaths per 100,000 people due to drunk driving, compared to 3.2 deaths per 100,000 nationally.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the United States experiences 28 fatalities due to drunk driving accidents – one death every 52 minutes.
- NHTSA data shows that 11,354 people died in drunk driving accidents nationwide in 2022, and drunk driving fatalities accounted for 30% of all traffic deaths that year.
In summary, while drunk driving crashes and fatalities have seen some decline thanks to tougher laws, public awareness campaigns, and changing attitudes about drinking and driving, intoxicated driving remains a deadly problem that claims thousands of lives each year unnecessarily.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limits and Impairment
In Alabama, a driver is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of:
- 0.08% or higher, for drivers over age 21
- 0.04% or higher, for commercial drivers
- 0.02% or higher, for drivers under 21
However, even small amounts of alcohol can start to impair judgment, concentration, vision, coordination, and reaction times – critical skills needed for safe driving. NHTSA warns that buzzed driving is still drunk driving, and some drivers may be dangerously impaired even before reaching the legal BAC limit.
The best approach is to avoid driving after drinking any amount of alcohol. Have a plan – designate a sober driver, call a taxi or ride service, or stay where you are until you are fully sober. There is always an alternative to drunk driving.
Drunk Driving Accidents Can Be Devastating
Drunk driving crashes are often severe due to the impaired driver’s slowed reaction times and poor decision-making. Drunk drivers may drive at excessive speeds, run red lights, veer out of their lanes, or fall asleep at the wheel. By the time the intoxicated driver realizes a collision is imminent, it is often too late to take corrective action.
The forces in a high-speed drunk driving collision can cause devastating damage and injuries like:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Crushed or amputated limbs
- Severe burns
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Disfiguring lacerations and scars
- Broken bones
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
These catastrophic injuries may leave drunk driving accident victims with permanent disabilities, chronic pain, and astronomical medical bills. Some victims require a lifetime of care and are never able to work or live independently again. Of course, no amount of money can ever replace a loved one who is killed in a senseless drunk-driving crash.
Pursuing Justice and Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident
Alabama drunk driving accident victims have legal rights. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, you may be able to hold the intoxicated driver accountable through a personal injury lawsuit and recover compensation for:
- Medical costs, current and future
- Lost income
- Projected future earnings losses
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability and reduced quality of life
- Punitive damages
We Are Here To Help You
At The Harris Firm, our Alabama car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling complex drunk driving accident claims. We fight tenaciously to hold drunk drivers responsible and secure maximum compensation for our injured clients. If you have questions about your legal rights after a drunk driving accident in Alabama, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (205) 578-6470. With our skilled legal representation, you can focus on your recovery while we focus on pursuing the justice and financial security you need and deserve.