Large Number of Car Accidents Caused by Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is a major problem on American roadways. To be sure, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that alcohol-related crashes cost the U.S. economy more than $37 billion annually, and that approximately one person dies in an alcohol-related crash every 51 minutes.
These numbers are clearly enormous, both in their size and their tragic nature. What might be even more shocking for those living in Boston, however, is that a new federal study indicates that Massachusetts is above the national average in terms of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving in Massachusetts
According to Traffic Safety Crash Facts published by the NHTSA, alcohol-impaired accidents comprised 41 percent of all fatal crashes recorded in Massachusetts in 2014. This number is much higher than the national average of 41 percent; and more than or nearly double a handful of other states’ averages, including Utah, Vermont, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.
What’s more, the numbers may be on the rise; according to an article published in CBS Local – Boston, NHTSA officials anticipated an eight percent increase in traffic fatalities during the first eight months of 2015 (final numbers have yet to be published).
Reducing Drunk Driving
The drunk driving problem is a large one, as well as one that requires the collective effort of everyone within a community to combat. Local law enforcement, state and city governments, and drivers and passengers all need to work together in order to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as make a commitment to end it.
Who Is Liable for a Crash When Alcohol Is Involved?
When an alcohol-impaired driver does cause an accident resulting in injuries – fatal or otherwise – that driver may face criminal charges if their BAC (blood alcohol content) was above the legal limit of 0.08 percent at the time of crash. However, legal limits aside, the driver may also face civil penalties if it can be proven that they did anything negligent to contribute to the crash. In some cases, even having one drink may be considered negligent, if it in any way affects the driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
A Boston Car Accident Attorney Serving You
At Deborah Gold-Alexander Attorney at Law, our skilled car accident team has over 30 years’ experience representing alcohol-related car accident victims throughout the city of Boston. If you have questions about what to do after an alcohol-impaired driver hits you or a loved one, call Deborah Gold-Alexander for a free case consultation to learn more about your legal rights. You can reach us now at 781-289-4235.