We Fight for Victims of Drunk Driving Car Accidents
Tario & Associates, P.S. has over 40 years’ experience representing victims of drunk driving car accidents. When you have been seriously injured through no fault of your own, you may need a legal advocate who will fight for the settlement you deserve. Free consultations and no up-front fees make hiring a car accident lawyer the right choice for many victims. Contact us today!
National Drunk Driving Statistics
Every year we see an uptick in serious car accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day; most likely a combination of the holidays (which means increased alcohol consumption and more cars on the road) and cold, wintery weather conditions.
- In 2017, 10,874 people were killed in drinking and driving car accidents across the U.S.; representing about 25 percent of all traffic fatalities over the year.
- In 2017, more than 300,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes.
- In 2015, nine percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes during the day were drunk, versus 32 percent at night.
- Every 24 hours in the United States, another 28 people die from being involved in a drunk driving car crash. This translates to one person every 53 minutes.
How can WA State reduce drunk driving car accidents? WA State MADD Rating
WA State has a MADD rating of 3.5/5. The state earned a point for each of the following categories: “No Refusal,” “License Revocation” and “All-Offender Ignition Interlock” laws. It earned a half point for its current child endangerment law.
In 2009 Washington State passed an all-offender ignition interlock law. Since then drunk driving deaths in the state have dropped 19 percent, although the state still suffered 161 deaths from drunk driving car accidents in 2016. That change in law improved the state’s MADD rating from 2.5/5 to 3.5 out of 5. To earn the remaining 1.5 points, the state would need to legalize sobriety checkpoints and ensure that they are implemented monthly (1 point) and enact a law making child endangerment a felony (1/2 point). MADD also recommends that WA State begin advertising the all-offender ignition interlock law in twice yearly federally funded Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
Reduce drunk driving car accidents safety tips
Commit to reducing drunk driving car accidents with these drinking safety tips:
- Support the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tie One On For Safety® campaign between Nov. 1, 2017-Jan. 1, 2018. Take the pledge to always have a designated driver or a plan to take a taxi. Display MADD’s red ribbon, magnet or window decal in your car window to indicate your commitment.
- If you are social hosting be sure to offer plenty of snacks, water and non-alcoholic beverages to your guests. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends. Offer to let guests stay who become unexpectedly drunk.
- Never get behind the wheel if you feel buzzed or stoned/high. If you are in doubt of whether you are safe to drive wait an hour and reassess. The only way to sober up is with time.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
