The risk of being the victim of a drunk driver is ever present on Florida roads. Many drivers do not realize that “I’ll have just one quick drink” is where impairment starts, and “I’ll have one for the road” are often the final words of a drunk driver. Sadly, that may also be the end of the road for their passengers and others with whom they come into contract on the road.
Motor skills, mental judgment and visual function are compromised after a single alcoholic drink. After changing the drinking age to 21 and lowering the legal BAC limit for drivers to .08 in the 80s, the number of alcohol-related crashes declined. Despite the changes and ongoing campaigns to stop drunk driving, approximately 10,000 fatalities per year are still linked to accidents in which the BAC level of at least one driver was above the legal limit.
It is not only drinking and driving that threatens other road users. A significant percentage of impaired drivers take to the roads under the influence of drugs. It could be marijuana, opioids or even some nonprescription over-the-counter medication that causes impairment. The adverse impact of drugs on drivers is similar to alcohol impairment, along with drowsiness.
Victims of car accidents caused by impaired drivers in Florida might have grounds to seek damage recovery by filing a lawsuit in a civil court. The legal proceedings could be complicated and overwhelming. That is where the skills of an attorney come in. Legal counsel with experience in advocating for plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death claims against impaired drivers can be invaluable. A successfully presented claim could lead to a monetary judgment to cover documented financial and emotional damages.