Drunk driving was, is, and will be a problem in the US until the government takes adequate action. Drunk driving caused 13,384 deaths in 2021. That is a 14% increase from the previous year. According to a report, one person dies every 39 minutes due to drunk driving in the US.
Waiting for the government to take action is fine, but you can make a difference too. Personal injury law is the perfect tool people can use to punish drunk drivers. You can hold the negligent party accountable and recover your losses at the same time. Usually, personal injury victims will receive compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. In DUI accident cases, you can get compensation in the form of punitive damages too.
However, to acquire any sort of compensation, you need to prove negligence since, as the plaintiff, you bear the burden of proof. Proving negligence in a drunk driving accident can be fairly easy if you have a lawyer by your side. Experienced DUI accident lawyers know how to collect evidence in DUI accident cases.
5 Signs That Tell a Driver Is Drunk
Knowing how to spot drunk drivers can keep you safe on the road. They won’t be under control, so at least you can be if you know the other driver is drunk. Following are some of the obvious signs a drunk driver will exhibit:
- Swerving in between lanes
- Violating traffic signs and signals
- Abrupt starts and stops
- Tailgating
- Close calls
Swerving Between Lanes
Drunk drivers will have little to zero control over steering, which leads to swerving between lanes. They will drive anywhere but on the road. When you spot a driver who is swerving in and out of a lane, slow down and maintain as much distance as possible from them.
Violating Traffic Signs and Signals
Drunk drivers will not have any kind of concentration on the road. They think they do, but they don’t. They tend to break the rules and ignore traffic signs. Report to authorities when you see a driver who is consistently not obeying traffic signs.
Abrupt Starts and Stops
Another common thing drunk drivers have is zero hand-eye coordination and maneuverability. They cannot drive their car continuously. They will start and abruptly brake. This will continue for some time, or until they cause an accident.
Tailgating
Some drunk drivers are aware of the fact that they are drunk. So instead of taking an Uber, what they will do is try to tailgate other drivers on the road. Tailgating can lead to accidents even if drivers are not drunk. When they are, it can definitely lead to accidents. If someone tailgates you, pull over and wait for them to pass over.
Close Calls
One more thing all alcoholics have in common is fearlessness. Some drunk drivers will drive at a speed that is not safe for anyone and make many close calls. If you spot someone like that, immediately call the authorities.
Final Thoughts
The actions you take today can pave the way for a better tomorrow. If your vehicle was hit by a drunk driver, hire a lawyer and hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. This is one of the best ways to control drunk driving accidents.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
