The State of Arizona knows that drinking and driving is a potentially tragic problem that poses a clear danger to the health and safety of anybody who is on or near a roadway. There is no excuse for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two. Even a couple of drinks affect a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. Many drivers don’t just stop at two.
Seek Damages in the Civil Courts
Sure, if a drunk or otherwise impaired driver causes an accident and injures somebody else, that driver will be prosecuted in the criminal courts. What comes to issue is that the law doesn’t allow the criminal courts to compensate you for the damages that you suffered as a result of the other driver’s actions. If you have been injured by a drunk or otherwise impaired driver, you have every right to bring a claim or lawsuit for purposes of seeking compensation for your injuries and other damages. That compensation must be sought in the civil courts.
What Alcohol Does to Drivers
Given the fact that we’re all different, the consumption of alcohol will affect people in different ways. Here are some facts from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on how different blood alcohol levels might affect a driver:
- .02 BAC impairs some judgment along with visual function and the ability to perform two tasks at the same time.
- .05 BAC affects coordination, self-control and information processing abilities.
- .10 is beyond legally drunk anywhere in the United States. Reaction time is slowed down, coordination is poor, and there is difficulty maintaining lane position and braking safely.
- .15 will show considerably less muscle control than usual, substantially less ability to control a vehicle along with noticeable decreased attention and information processing abilities.
After being injured in an accident with a drunk or otherwise impaired driver, you can be overwhelmed by medical bills and lost income. You’ll need to take swift and decisive action. The opposing insurer knows that it’s facing a significant loss, and it wants to devalue your case as much as possible. Our mission is to maximize any settlement or verdict that we might secure for you. Never give a statement to the opposing insurer. Contact us right away by phone or email, and we’ll arrange for a free consultation and case review. Don’t let a drunk or impaired driver turn your life upside down.
