According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), there is approximately one drunk driving case claimed every 50 minutes, which is equal to 10,000 lives lost per year. Drivers get behind the wheel while intoxicated and cause serious trouble to other motorists, pedestrians, and motorcycle riders. No excuses are entertained in drunk driving cases, which cause severe consequences and put other people’s lives in danger. Therefore, if you are injured in a car accident that involves a drunk driver on the other side, it is essential to consult a Los Angeles impaired driving accident attorney.
How does impaired driving lead to an accident
Thinking ability, muscle coordination, and reasoning of a person are all necessary while driving or operating any vehicle, and alcohol impacts all of them. Due to alcohol consumption, motorists do not understand what speed they are traveling at, fail to obey the traffic rules to visual impairment or fail to spot pedestrians in crossing areas. Impaired driving may lead to several types of accidents mentioned below.
- Head-on collisions
It is obvious to feel drowsy and sleepy after drinking, and sitting behind the wheel may steer into oncoming traffic in a head-on collision. Consumption of alcohol will reduce the ability of vision and thus ignore the traffic signals and signs.
- Rear-end collisions
With alcohol flowing in the body, the person’s ability to judge distances is reduced and thus slowing down the reaction time. It makes the driver unable to react quickly if the front driver slows down or applies brakes suddenly.
- Wrong-way wrecks
It is often relatively complex for an intoxicated driver to spot warnings or traffic signs. The driver may not realize if they are driving the wrong way on a one-way street or exiting the highway.
What happens after a drunk driving accident?
When a drunk driving accident is informed, law enforcement will administer a field sobriety test to the intoxicated driver to check if he/she is alcohol-impaired. A breathalyzer is the most common field sobriety test that helps determine the alcohol level in the person’s blood and intoxication level.
Drunk drivers are more prone to cause danger to even cyclists and pedestrians on roads. Those who sit behind the wheel while drunk will face severe consequences, including punitive damages.
If you get into an accident with a drunk driver, you are entitled to receive compensation. Therefore, it is important to contact your attorney as soon as possible.