Most drivers know the dangers of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, all it takes is one poor judgment to cause a tragedy.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, people in the United States drive drunk more than 300,000 times per day. Some motorists become complacent or convinced they can operate a vehicle safely after a few drinks. However, due to the biological effects of alcohol, this is never true.
If you were injured due to a drunk driver in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC. A personal-injury attorney in Lake Charles will evaluate your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and noneconomic damages. We will gather evidence, interview witnesses, structure your claim, and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf.
How Alcohol Affects Your Driving Ability
According to DrinkWise, alcohol affects many biological functions that are essential for driving safely. Drunk drivers may find it challenging to:
- See and hear normally;
- Judge the speed of their vehicles;
- Judge the distance between their cars and other vehicles on the road;
- Notice hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists and other obstacles;
- React to traffic lights and road signs;
- Concentrate;
- Maintain balance if riding a motorcycle;
- And stay awake.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
How Much Is Too Much?
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers in Louisiana who are younger than 21 years old cannot have a blood alcohol concentration above 0.02 percent. Drivers who are at least 21 years old will face DWI charges if their BAC is 0.08 percent or higher.
Even if your BAC is below the legal limit, it may still be unsafe for you to drive. According to DrinkWise, just one drink can affect your driving ability.
The amount you drink is not the only factor that affects your blood alcohol concentration. Your weight, gender, medications, and body fat percentage will also influence your BAC and alcohol’s effects on your body.
5 Sobering Facts about Drunk Driving
Despite awareness campaigns that inform motorists about the dangers of drunk driving, an unacceptable number of people still operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Here are a few sobering facts about intoxicated driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- More than 9,900 people died in alcohol-related auto accidents in 2014. More than 1,000 of these casualties were children aged 14 or younger.
- 209 child passengers died in alcohol-related crashes in 2014.
- Police catch only 1 percent of all drunk drivers in the United States.
- Nearly one-third of people arrested or convicted of drunk driving are repeat offenders.
- In 2014, 29 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes on the weekend were drunk.
If you were injured in a crash with an intoxicated driver, contact Morris Bart, LLC. A Lake Charles personal-injury lawyer will handle the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovery. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
