The holidays are upon us, bringing with it family functions or parties, which may include alcohol. It is extremely important that we take every precaution to avoid a tragedy this season. In the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years, there are more drunk driving related deaths than at any other time of the year.
A death occurs every 48 minutes as a result of drinking and driving. In 2009, alcohol related accidents accounted for over one-third of all deaths on the highway. New York ranks eleventh in the nation in drunk driving fatalities according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). In 2009, 321 people died in alcohol related auto accidents in New York.
While there is no way to ensure you are perfectly safe from a drunk driver, taking the following tips may help you reduce the risk of being injured in an alcohol-related car accident this season:
•· If you are going to drive, don't drink. Judgment is the first to faculty to go.
•· If you are going to drink, don't drive. Either pick a designated driver before you go out or if you are already out, call a taxi or ask a friend or family member who hasn't been drinking to drive you home.
•· Don't get in the car with someone who has been drinking
•· If a friend or family member has been drinking, don't let them drive.
You can have fun this holiday season but don't do something you might later regret.
Lives are altered forever by drunk driving accidents. Even if a person is lucky enough to survive a car accident, they may suffer spine, neck or head injuries that could permanently impact the ability to work and may cause a lifetime of pain.
In the event you are injured in an accident, it is important you talk to a car accident lawyer in New York before you talk to the insurance company. The unfortunate truth is insurance companies report to shareholders, not policyholders. They frequently push accident victims to give recorded statements of the event, which may be used against the policyholder later on. It may not seem like a big deal now, but it could be in the future if you find yourself fighting for payment of your medical bills.
Stay safe this holiday season. Take precautions to ensure that you and your loved ones arrive at your destinations safely. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an auto accident in New York City, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer right away who can advise you of your options.
