Everyone knows that driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous. The problem is that far too many individuals are either unable to tell when they’ve had too much to drink, or they simply don’t care about the dangers they pose to others. In either case, these negligent drivers can put innocent motorists in harm’s way. Even the most defensive driver can wind up suffering serious injuries in a drunk driving accident. To try to curtail the occurrence of drunk driving, many government agencies, non-profit organizations and educational institutions have attempted to disseminate information about just how dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol can be.
Alcohol can affect many driving skills. For example, reaction time can be significantly decreased, making it difficult for a driver to slow or stop in time to avoid halted traffic, yield to a pedestrian or stop at a red light. Additionally, alcohol can affect an individual’s vision, which can directly affect his or her ability to identify traffic patterns and maintain his or her lane. Coordination, comprehension and concentration can also be decreased.
Many people are aware that alcohol affects individuals differently, though. This is particularly true when it comes to weight. A person weighing 100 pounds, for example, will only need to consume approximately two drinks before reaching the legal limit, whereas someone weighing 200 pounds may not reach that limit until having three or four drinks.
Regardless of whether a driver is over the legal limit, if his or her negligence caused an injurious accident, then he or she may be held liable for any damages suffered by others. To recoup this compensation, though, victims need to aggressively pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Those who wish to learn more about how to proceed with a legal claim against a drunk driver can speak with an experienced and qualified attorney of their choosing.
