Every year in California, roughly a thousand people lose their lives in drunk driving accidents, and thousands more suffer serious injuries. But despite laws against driving under the influence, there are still people who get behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
Stay safe on the road this holiday season
Drunk driving accidents spike during the holiday season, as some people choose to drive after drinking alcohol at parties, family gatherings, or New Year’s Eve celebrations. That’s why December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. It’s dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and encouraging safe and responsible behavior on the roads.
Driving under the influence of alcohol (or drugs) impairs several critical functions necessary for safe driving, endangering passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver in the East Bay or anywhere in California, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights. A drunk driving accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable and seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
How does alcohol affect driving ability?
Slower reaction times
Alcohol significantly slows the body’s response time. Drivers under the influence may take longer to react to sudden changes on the road, such as a car stopping abruptly or a pedestrian crossing unexpectedly. This delay in reaction can be the difference between avoiding a collision and causing an accident.
Impaired judgment
Alcohol affects the brain’s decision-making processes, leading to poor judgment and risky behaviors. Intoxicated drivers may underestimate the speed of oncoming vehicles, overestimate their driving abilities, or decide to engage in dangerous maneuvers like speeding, running red lights, illegal passing, or tailgating.
Reduced coordination
Driving requires a combination of motor skills and physical coordination, including steering, braking, and accelerating. Alcohol impairs hand-eye coordination and balance, making it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles accurately.
Blurred vision
Even at low blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, alcohol can impair vision. Drivers may experience blurred or double vision, making it harder to focus on the road, read signs, or assess distances between vehicles. Nighttime driving becomes particularly hazardous as alcohol diminishes the ability to adapt to low light and glare from headlights.
Diminished concentration
Safe driving requires constant focus and attention to the road, traffic signals, and surrounding vehicles. Alcohol decreases a driver’s ability to concentrate, leading to distractions and lapses in awareness that increase the likelihood of an accident.
Loss of inhibitions
Alcohol lowers inhibitions, which can cause drivers to take unnecessary risks or ignore safety precautions, such as wearing a seatbelt or observing speed limits.
The impact of drunk driving crashes
Being a victim of a drunk driving accident can bring devastating consequences that extend far beyond the crash itself. Physically, victims may suffer severe injuries such as broken bones, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries, leading to chronic pain and long-term medical treatment.
Financially, the burden of mounting medical bills, lost wages due to an inability to work, and expensive rehabilitation can be overwhelming, especially for families already struggling to make ends meet. Emotionally, the trauma of the accident can linger, making it difficult to return to normal life.
However, holding the drunk driver accountable and recovering financial compensation can get complicated. Drunk drivers often deny responsibility for what happened, and insurance companies work aggressively to dispute claims. Adjusters may try to downplay the severity of your injuries or blame you for the crash to justify offering a low settlement. Without proper representation, you may end up receiving far less compensation than you truly deserve.
That’s why having an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer on your side is so important. A skilled attorney can gather evidence, handle insurance company negotiations, and fight for the full compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. With a lawyer advocating for your rights, you can focus on your recovery while they work to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Our accident attorneys hold drunk drivers accountable
If you were hit and injured by a drunk driver in Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, or anywhere in the Bay Area, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. The drunk driving accident lawyers at Clancy & Diaz, LLP can help.
Our legal team can investigate your accident to get the facts. We know where to look for evidence that proves negligence and build strong cases that insurance companies have to take seriously. Our results include $3,000,000 in a wrongful death case, $2,617,566 for a car accident victim, and $1,800,000 for another victim of a car crash.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss your legal options and answer any questions you have.
“I was involved in an accident with a drunk driver. The DA took the case seriously, as did I. The insurance company refused to take it seriously and we had to file a lawsuit. Pete Clancy worked hard on the case and the insurer and drunk driver ended up finally paying fair compensation.” - V.R., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐