New Year’s Eve often involves a dangerous combination of hazards, including late-night driving and traditional celebrations with alcohol. It’s no wonder that the late hours of New Year's account for some of the deadly crashes in the year.
Between 2011 and 2015, 62% of New Year’s auto accident deaths were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that New Year auto crash deaths exceed those of any other day of the year. The average percentage of driving under the influence crash fatalities for any other day of the year during that same period was 35%.
People seem to drive more drunk than normal on New Year’s Eve, too. In every state, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more, but 71% of New Year’s traffic accidents involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15.
It’s not all bad news: Due to peer pressure and publicity, drunk-driving fatalities in the U.S. have declined by 18% since 1982. Still, there's a lot of room for improvement. Alcohol-impaired car accidents still account for 29% of all traffic fatalities in the United States In 2017, over 10,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes. That amounts to one person dying in alcohol-related car crashes every 49-50 minutes.
New Year’s Eve symbolizes renewal: out with the old year, and in with the new one. It seems prudent to raise a glass to toast the future.
A recent online survey by Harris Poll examined adults' behavior during the holiday season and the reasons behind their behavior. 16% of the people surveyed said they drank more than normal during the holiday season, and 50% said alcohol plays a significant role in their family gatherings, primarily as a way to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with those events. Over 50% of those surveyed had experienced negative consequences after drinking during the holiday season, including:
Be Prepared: What to do After a Car Accident During the Holidays
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends taking the following measures to prevent alcohol-related injuries this New Year’s Eve:
Learn More: Damages You Can Recover From an Injury Claim
Regardless of how cautious you're behind the wheel, there might be no way to avoid an accident with an impaired driver. So, despite being cautious, what happens if you sustain bodily injuries in a collision with an intoxicated driver this New Year’s Eve?
If you're injured by a drunk driver, on New Year's eve or any other day, it's crucial to contact an experienced attorney to receive the maximum compensation you deserve to cover your medical costs, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other financial damages. If you are hit by a drunk driver on New Years Eve you might also be eligible to recover punitive damages against the at-fault driver. To schedule a no-cost initial consultation, contact the skilled car accident lawyers at Marks Law Group today at (678) 251-9309.