Drunk drivers are a hazard to everyone on the road. They might fall asleep at the wheel, swerve across the center line or make highly unsafe choices in traffic. They have longer reaction times and difficulty staying focused.
Drunk driving collisions often feel highly unfair, as the motorist under the influence who caused the wreck might walk away with barely any injuries while the other people affected by the collision could end up hospitalized or worse.
Drunk driving crashes are a top cause of severe injury and death. Why do drunk drivers often escape the medical consequences of the crashes they cause?
Being relaxed makes a major difference
Alcohol often helps people relax when they feel stressed. A drunk driver may also fail to notice the warning signs of an imminent crash, meaning that they don’t take any action to protect themselves. Researchers have determined that the act of bracing before a crash when already held in place by restraints is likely to increase the severity of the injuries sustained in the wreck.
Drunk drivers often don’t tense up or brace themselves, which means that they avoid broken bones, spinal cord injuries and other potential injuries by virtue of their intoxication. They may avoid physical injury despite causing life-altering injuries for others.
While drunk drivers who cause crashes can face serious criminal charges, the people affected by drunk driving crashes may have the right to take civil action against the them as well. Estimating losses and evaluating insurance are important early steps when seeking financial compensation after a drunk driving crash.
