A new study released by UC San Diego reveals that “minimally buzzed” drivers – including those with a very low 0.01 blood-alcohol level (which is well below the legal limit of 0.08) are often to blame for fatal car crashes. According to the author of the study, “there is no blood-alcohol content so low that it’s safe to drive.” The holiday season often sees an increase in “buzzed” driving resulting from the number of work parties and family and friend gatherings. Many San Fernando Valley drivers think it is okay to drive after “just one drink” but as this study shows, that is not always the case. If you or a loved one is injured by a buzzed or drunk driver, know that the law is on your side.
The study examined over 570,000 fatal auto accidents and the research clearly shows that drinking and driving at any blood-alcohol level is dangerous and associated with greater accident severity, causing many implications for driver, passengers and the legal system.
Some people argue that having one or two drinks does not impair their ability to be a safe driver. Unfortunately, the statistics say otherwise. Indeed, “minimally buzzed” and “buzzed drivers” with a blood alcohol content level of 0.01% are 46% more likely to be solely blamed for car crashes by accident investigators than the sober drivers they collide with. While it is common knowledge that drivers do worse on lab-controlled tests when driving after drinking a beer or glass of wine, this study also shows that having just one drink, no matter how small, has real impact on traffic collisions.
In other words, if you were injured by a buzzed driver or a drunk driver during the holiday season, or at any time during the year, speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in the San Fernando Valley about your legal rights. You may be able to recover financial compensation for your injuries and for damage to your vehicle. If your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, discuss whether filing a wrongful death lawsuit might be in your best interests. In a wrongful death lawsuit, a victim’s family can seek financial compensation relating to the loss of their loved one. A wrongful death attorney can explain the process in further detail.
Be extra cautious while on the roads this holiday season, as buzzed and drunk drivers are all too common. If you were involved in a car accident with a driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact attorney Barry P. Goldberg to discuss your potential case and financial recovery.
