Drunk Driving Accidents During the Holiday Season

It’s that time of year again where the neighbors are putting up their Christmas lights, Christmas trees are on the tops of cars as you drive home from the holly-decorated mall, and the libations are flowing freely at holiday parties and gatherings. Sadly, while you are wondering what to get your children for the holiday or what food to serve at your family party, you must also worry about drunk driving accidents during the holiday season. 

If you or your loved one are impacted by the negligent and careless actions of a drunk driver this holiday season, an experienced Will County drunk driving accident attorney is here to help.

Holiday Drunk Driving by the Numbers

While the holidays should be a festive time to enjoy the company of family and friends, those that drink and drive can do far more than ruin a fun evening. According to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drunk drivers play a role in 40 percent of traffic deaths over Christmas and New Year’s. Consider these additional sobering statistics about holiday drinking and driving:

• The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 300 Americans die each year in the handful of days surrounding the Christmas and New Year’s holidays
• Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, there are about 25,000 injuries from alcohol-related accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 2013 and 2017, 28 percent of all fatal car accidents that occurred in December involved drunk drivers.
• The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States notes that a quarter of the $49-billion-a-year distilled spirits industry’s profits come from the month between Thanksgiving and the New Year
• The average drunk driving arrest, including attorney fees, fines, court costs, and other expenses, can set you back $10,000

Factors that Contribute to Holiday Drunk Driving

No matter the cause of your drunk driving accident, if you were injured, a seasoned Will County drunk driving accident lawyer might be able to help you receive compensation for your injuries. Many factors contribute to drunk driving during the holiday season. These include:

• Increased availability of alcoholic drinks
• Holiday loneliness 
• Drivers not knowing their limits, especially those who do not drink much at other times of the year

Your Role Preventing Holiday Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is not something that Americans must idly sit back and accept. You can help prevent drunk driving this holiday season. If you are hosting a holiday party, have plenty of non-alcoholic beverage choices, be prepared to let overzealous party-goers spend the night if needed, or offer to call them a ride share service. Offer to be a designated driver if you are attending an event or going out with people you know. Be alert while driving, and if you notice suspicious behavior by other drivers, such as driving the wrong way, well below the speed limit, or swerving, contact local authorities as soon as possible.

Receive a Consultation from a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Will County

If you or someone you know was injured in a suspected drunk driving accident, you have a limited amount of time to act. The sooner you reach out to a drunk driving accident attorney in Will County, the better your chances could be a recovering financial compensation for your damages. You can reach Sabuco, Beck, Hansen & Massino, P.C via phone or use our online contact form to schedule a drunk driving personal injury consultation today.