Be On the Lookout for Drunk Drivers around Thanksgiving

November 17, 2020

For many of us, Thanksgiving means a turkey feast, friends, family, and a long weekend away from work and other responsibilities. Like other celebrations, Thanksgiving also often involves drinking more alcohol than usual. In fact, alcohol and Thanksgiving have become so intertwined that the night before the holiday has unofficially become known as “Blackout Wednesday” in some circles.

While the Holiday weekend may look different this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic, you should still expect people to drink around the holiday weekend. As a result, it is very likely that there will be more drunk drivers on the road in and around Redding than usual. In the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident caused by someone else this Thanksgiving or otherwise, you should reach out to a Redding car accident attorney as soon as you can.

How to Avoid Drunk Drivers this Holiday Weekend

Fortunately, there are certain things that you can do to significantly reduce your risk of being injured by an impaired driver this Thanksgiving.

Learn How to Spot an Impaired Driver

If you are out and about and see a driver that you think may be drunk or on drugs, you should stay behind them and put as much space between you and their vehicle as possible. In order to do that, however, you need to know how to spot a drunk driver in the first place. Some of the more common signs that a driver is impaired include:

Weaving and erratic lane changes
Driving slower than the speed limit or the flow of traffic
Random braking
Slow reactions to traffic lights or other traffic
Almost hitting other vehicles or objects
Driving without headlights at night
Illegal turns
Driving on the wrong side of the road

Avoid Parts of Town with Lots of Bars and Restaurants

When people get together to drink, they often do so at bars and restaurants. As a result, it makes sense that there would be more impaired drivers in areas that have a lot of these establishments. Whenever possible, avoid driving in areas that are known as “entertainment districts” or have significant concentrations of businesses that serve alcohol, particularly around closing time.

Don’t Drink and Get Behind the Wheel

One of the simplest things you can do to reduce the risk that you will be involved in a drunk driving accident this holiday season is to not drink and drive yourself. Even one drink can affect your judgment and reaction time. When you know that there are going to be impaired drivers on the road, it’s best to ensure that you’re as alert as possible so you can react to situations that may pose a risk.

Protecting Your Rights after an Accident with a Drunk Driver

Unfortunately, drunk drivers can cause serious accidents regardless of how careful you are being. If you are hurt by a drunk driver this holiday season or at any other time, below are some of the steps you should take to ensure that your claim goes as smoothly as possible:

Call 911

You should call 911 after any accident that resulted in significant damage or injury, but this is especially true if you suspect that the other driver was drunk. Calling will make sure that police and emergency medical personnel respond to the scene of the accident and evaluate you and the other driver. If they suspect that the other driver was impaired, they will likely arrest him or her, and the prosecutor may file a criminal case – which can make your claim much easier.

Seek Medical Attention

Once you have called 911 and left the scene of the accident, you should seek medical attention, even if the emergency medical personnel at the scene cleared you to go home. It’s critical that a healthcare professional evaluates and documents your injuries, as the other driver’s insurance company will want to see medical records before making a settlement offer.

Call a Lawyer as Soon as You Can

You should contact an attorney as soon as you can after involvement in an accident with a drunk driver. While it may seem like your case may be simple to handle on your own, victims often recover significantly more compensation when they are represented by a lawyer.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Redding Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, you should call Maire & Deedon as soon as you can. Our experienced team knows how to get our clients the compensation to which they are entitled under California law. To schedule a consultation with an attorney, call our office today at 530-246-6050 or send us an email through our online contact form.