Were You Hurt in a Drunk Driving Accident this Holiday Season?

The holidays can be a predictable time of year. You know what songs you will hear on the radio, what holiday parties you will be attending, who will be cooking Christmas dinner, and what kinds of cookies to leave out for Santa. You can also count on the fact that there will be more drunk drivers on the road than there usually are, putting everyone at risk.

If you or someone you love becomes the victim of a drunk driver this holiday season or at any other time throughout the year, a Redding drunk driving accident attorney is here to help.

Increased Drinking During the Holidays

To add to the holiday drunk driving problem, many people are indulging or over-indulging who do not normally drink throughout the year. People with less experience with alcohol may be less likely to recognize when they are too impaired to drive.

Holiday Drunk Driving by the Numbers

Accidents are more likely to happen during the holidays due to increased traffic and the potential for poor weather conditions. Combine these factors with alcohol, and you have a recipe for disaster. If you think that holiday drunk driving isn’t a problem, consider the following statistics:

• United States Department of Transportation, 781 people lost their lives in drunk-driving-related crashes in the single month of December 2016
• U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that 40% of traffic-related deaths between Christmas and New Year’s involve drunk drivers representing a 12% increase when compared to the rest of the month of December

The Difference Between a Criminal and Civil DUI Case

If you are in an accident involving a drunk driver, there will likely be a criminal case against the drunk driver. Even still, you can pursue your rights under California’s civil laws with the help of a knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyer in Redding. You can file a civil claim for your damages in a drunk driving accident, even while there is an on-going criminal case. The two cases are separate, although a criminal drunk driving conviction may help you win a civil lawsuit against the drunk driver.

If convicted in a criminal case, the driver could receive jail time, fines, community service, probation, and other penalties. If you win your civil case, the driver will owe you financial compensation for your accident-related losses. You could be eligible to receive payment in civil litigation for damages like:

• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Protect Yourself and Others This Holiday Season

Help avoid becoming a statistic by taking the following steps during the holidays and all year round:

• If you drink, don’t drive no matter how little you think you’ve had
• Don’t let someone you know get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking
• If possible, avoid driving during early and late evening hours on holidays
• Use caution and watch for the erratic movements of drunken drivers any time you are on the road
• Report suspected drunk drivers to the police immediately

Call Us Today to Speak with a Redding Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

The holidays should be happy memories and time to spend with family and friends. If your holidays have been ruined because of the actions of a drunk driver or a negligent driver, don’t be afraid to look into your legal options. By contacting an experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Redding, you could receive money for your damages.

Schedule your free consultation today. Call Maire & Deedon at 530-246-6050, or if you prefer, use our online contact form.