Drunk Driving Accidents Increase Around the Holidays
The Tennessee Highway Patrol increased patrols throughout Nashville and the surrounding area during the holidays in an effort to reduce the number of drunk drivers and drunk driving accidents that occur at the end of every year. Beginning December 30 through January 3, law enforcement has operated aggressive sobriety checkpoints around the area to ensure that drivers and passengers are wearing their seatbelts, have a valid license, and are sober behind the wheel.
Drunk driving accidents can cause devastating injuries for victims, so if you or someone you know has been hurt by a drunk driver the law office of Mitch Grissim & Associates is here to help. Call or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your case.
Drunk Driving Around the Holidays
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, over the course of the holidays last year, five people were killed in traffic accidents around Nashville, and three of those fatalities involved a drunk driver. According to statistics, the chances of a drunk driver on the road more than double on New Year’s Day every year. In addition, it is estimated that holiday drunk drivers cause more than 25,000 injuries nationwide in the small window between Thanksgiving and the New Year every single year.
Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers
The injuries caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are often more severe than other types of car accidents because the driver lacks the responsiveness or awareness to mitigate the crash. Their lack of judgment and slower response time often result in impacts with other vehicles at higher speeds and with full force compared to a sober driver that attempts to brake or steer away from the other vehicle. Fatalities are more common in drunk driving accidents in addition to catastrophic injuries. The most common injuries seen in drunk driving accidents around Nashville include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Head injuries and skull fractures
- Facial trauma
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Amputation injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Death
Given the extensive medical treatment and follow up care required for these injuries, it is critical that victims of drunk driving accidents receive the compensation they deserve after a crash.
Compensation for Accident Victims
Compensation for victims of drunk driving accidents includes damages for all out of pocket expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the loss of future income and benefits. It also covers a victim’s pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. In the worst cases, the family of a victim who is killed by a drunk driver can seek damages for funeral and burial costs, final medical expenses, and compensation for their loved one’s pain and suffering before their passing.
Talk to Our Office
To learn more about your legal options after being injured by a drunk driver, call the office or contact us at Mitch Grissim & Associates for a free case evaluation with a Nashville personal injury lawyer.
Resource:
wbir.com/article/traffic/kpd-and-thp-to-increase-presence-over-new-years-weekend/51-8d7eea6f-4324-4f77-9874-38334c45d82d
