When people imagine a serious drunk driving accident, they often assume that the person who caused the accident was clearly impaired and that the alcohol was the only reason for the crash. For instance, they may imagine someone swerving all over the road and eventually crossing a solid line into oncoming traffic.
These types of accidents do happen, of course, but researchers note that it’s very common for alcohol to only play a minor role in a serious wreck. One reason they give is that the average amount of drivers at any given time who have alcohol in their system is between 10% and 20%. Just by the sheer numbers, some of these drivers are going to crash. Some of them may even make no mistakes and get hit by another sober driver who does make a mistake.
Everything that contributes to a crash is important
One thing to note is that even a minor contribution to an accident can still influence that crash. For instance, say that a slightly intoxicated driver is actually driving safely, concentrating on the road. Ahead of them, a traffic light has gone out. They don’t see it in the dark. They’re supposed to stop and treat it like a four-way stop, but they drive through the intersection and hit another car.
The main reason for the accident is that the traffic light failed. The secondary reason is that a lack of visibility meant the driver didn’t see the light. But there is still the question of whether or not the person would have seen the dark intersection or realized something was wrong if they hadn’t been intoxicated. Even a delayed reaction by a second or two can cause a crash.
Working with an attorney can help you figure out who is liable for your injuries
If you’ve been injured in a car accident where alcohol may have played a role, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries, medical costs and more. All drunk drivers should be held accountable for their mistakes. However, it’s entirely possible that you may have more options than you realize if other forms of negligence were in play. Working with an attorney is wise.
