Think Again Before Holding the Steering Wheel When Drunk
When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, you have to understand some facts. Oklahoma, similar to everywhere in the United States, has many car accidents. In 2017, the United States lost 37,133 people due to motor vehicle collisions. In Oklahoma alone, 624 fatal accident cases were reported. This is enough to demonstrate how accident prone the highways of the United States are and being a responsible citizen, you should be cautious about your activities. The high-speed of vehicles, rush-hour and the tendency to break rules are responsible for most accidents. In the situation where a driver has been drinking, it can cause even more fatal incidents.
However, if you or your loved ones have been victimized by a car accident, you do have legal options to fight the situation. This is where an auto accident lawyer in Oklahoma can help you out.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 50 minutes, 29 people in the U.S. are killed in car accidents involving a drunk driver. Impaired driving is also a big risk for the drivers who are sharing the road at the same time. Fatality in these accidents is almost 29% and law enforcement have arrested around 1 million drivers that were under the influence.
Do you know why drinking while driving is so prohibited? Well, the effects of alcohol on the brain are huge and it is very influential in causing accidents. It impairs brain functionalities, ceases power to think and decide and also deteriorates muscle coordination. And we all know that these things are imperative for safe driving.
The level of alcohol in a person’s body is measured by BAC or Blood Alcohol Content. If the BAC is 0.08 or higher in a driver, they possess a significant risk to have an accident, which is why it is illegal. You should contact an auto accident lawyer in Oklahoma for details if a drunk driver has caused trouble in your life.
Even if the percentage is not that high, a little bit of alcohol, like 0.02 or 0.05 BAC, can also affect muscle coordination, judgment skills and reasoning power.
Though it varies from state to state, all states in the U.S. enforce a hefty fine for those drivers who drink while driving. You can follow some tips to prevent such a situation from happening to you:
It is better to have a designated driver when you are going out in a group.
You should prevent your friends or family from driving when impaired.
If you are under the influence of alcohol, it is better to ask someone else to drive you safely home.
Before a party, you should warn guests that there will be alcohol consumption and suggest a sober driver for safe driving home.
If you face any such situation where a drunk driver collides with you, you should contact our auto accident lawyer in Oklahoma at The West Law Firm and get legal help and compensation.
** Disclaimer: The above article does not imply a relationship between attorney and client, nor is it legal advice.