Annually, America’s horrendous death toll from drunk drivers reaches its apex in what should be a joyful holiday season. But year-end celebrations lead to increased indulgence, and increased drunk driving, which in turn leads to severe injuries and even fatalities for innocent victims of drunk driving accidents.
Should a family member become such a victim, find solace in the fact that you can fight back with a drunk driving lawsuit. A car accident attorney or drunk driving lawyer can pursue financial compensation for your loved one’s losses, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
This form of legal action is necessary and vital, in that America’s drunk driving toll is catastrophically high. In 2007 alone, 13,000 Americans died due to drunk drivers — almost a third of all who died in traffic collisions. And in the state of Texas in 2008, drunk drivers slaughtered 975 persons. That’s 28 per cent of the total traffic accident fatalities.
Probing further, more than 500,000 Americans have been killed by drunk drivers since 1982. Those deaths are more than all American combat deaths in every war since and including World War II. In other words, America suffers far more deaths from drunk drivers than from any foreign enemies. In effect, drunk driving carnage is part of an undeclared war that never ends.
The state of Texas has enhanced its laws to help police officers make drunk driving arrests. Beginning Sept. 1, 2009, officers were allowed to take blood samples to test blood alcohol levels (BAC) in suspected drunk drivers without first getting a warrant – which takes precious time. That can be done if the suspect already has a drunk driving record; if a victim besides the suspect dies or is expected to die; if a victim besides the suspect suffers injury and needs to be hospitalized; or if at least one passenger in a vehicle in the accident is a child under 15.
Also combating drunk driving deaths is Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, a national organization with a strong presence in Texas. MADD not only serves drunk driving victims and their families, but also presses for legislation to fight drunk driving. That includes calling for breath-testing devices in cars which will prohibit a drunk driver from turning on the ignition.
Though these strategies all can help, the horrible drunk driving toll continues. That’s why it must be made clear to drunk drivers that they’ll be held responsible for their actions, legally and economically. An experienced drunk driving lawyer or car accident attorney can send that message in a fight for legal justice.
Offering a free case review, Jim S. Adler & Associates is a longtime Texas personal injury law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Channelview. The law firm represents victims of SUV, car, auto, bus, truck, motorcycle and other traffic accidents.
