December 22, 2021 Car Accidents,Personal Injury
Drunk driving is extremely dangerous and highly illegal. However, thousands of drivers each year get behind the wheel while intoxicated, leading to serious accidents and devastating fatalities. Many drivers claim that they were only buzzed, not drunk, at the time of the accident. When hearing this excuse, you may wonder: is there a difference between buzzed and drunk driving accidents?
Drunk driving is unfortunately common across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 28 people die every day in collisions that involve drunk drivers. This amounts to one person every 52 minutes.
In 2019 alone, 10,142 people died in drunk driving crashes. While this number is very high, it is actually the lowest rate of drunk driving deaths since 1982, when the NHTSA began tracking alcohol-related data.
Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
When many people drive while drunk, they often claim that they feel a “buzz,” not the intoxication commonly associated with drinking and driving. What these defendants do not realize is that a light “buzz” could still impair their ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Under Nevada law, it is illegal for any adult over the age of 21 to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. It can take as few as four or five standard drinks to reach this limit.
A person may not feel intoxicated to the point of blacking out, but he or she can experience dangerous impairments that impact motor skills, concentration, memory, judgment, coordination, and more. He or she is more likely to lose control of the vehicle or commit a dangerous act that leads to a collision.
Drunk driving accidents can result in severe and catastrophic injuries, such as the following.
Victims of these collisions often require extensive medical care, including surgeries, prescription medications, and specialized treatments like physical therapy. These injuries often require weeks of recovery time, leading to lost wages. In some cases, victims are unable to return to work due to the disabilities that they developed.
The physical, psychological, and financial impact of drunk driving can be difficult to bear. However, there are legal options available for victims of these devastating, preventable collisions.
If you are injured by a drunk driver in Nevada, you have the right to hold the negligent motorist accountable. Drinking and driving are highly illegal and a breach of a driver’s duty to operate their vehicles safely. Drunk drivers who cause accidents not only face criminal penalties—they are financially liable for any damages that the victim sustains.
You may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim against the drunk driver and recover compensation for your losses. In these situations, it is important to speak with a Las Vegas car accident attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you identify your optimal legal pathway and take your first steps toward justice.
Contact The Janda Law Firm for your free consultation.
