DWI Victims
In recent years there have been many concentrated efforts, by government agencies and private organizations alike, to end the dangerous practice of driving while intoxicated. There have been some improvements, including stricter DWI laws and increased awareness of this issue. However, drunk driving remains a persistent problem, and its consequences are often heartbreaking.
One of the tragedies about drunk driving accidents is the number of innocent victims. A person with a blood alcohol level over .08, or under the influence of other drugs, is far more likely than other drivers to be involved in a motor vehicle collision.
These collisions often involve victims who have done nothing wrong, as the following statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, show:
In 2006, 45 people under the age of 14 were struck and killed by drunk drivers while walking or riding bicycles.
In the same year 306 people under age 14 were killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. About half of them were riding in cars driven by impaired adults.
Vehicular manslaughter, particularly drunk driving, kills more Americans every year than every other kind of homicide combined.
Non-Fatal Accidents
Of course, not every accident caused by a drunk driver is fatal. The results can still be devastating, however. Potential injuries that people can suffer after being struck by a drunk driver include:
- Severe scarring or disfigurement
- Partial or full paralysis
- Severe brain injuries
Contact Us
In 2006, over 1,000 Floridians were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a drunk driver, Jacksonville DWI victim lawyer Don Guthrie can help. Contact our offices at 904-296-1088.