A Nashville Car Accident Lawyer Reveals What To Know
Serious injury-causing and fatal drunk driving accidents typically spike around the holidays. That is why Tennessee is running a well-timed campaign to remind drivers of the consequences of DUI.
Tennessee is participating in the national program, "Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over." It provides local and state law enforcement and justice departments with marketing tools to spread this message. The campaigns often include high-visibility traffic enforcement initiatives like sober checkpoints or increased patrols.
The state also has its own anti-impaired driving initiative called "Booze It & Lose It," which seeks to raise awareness about DUI and DWI crimes.
Over the past 10 years, there have been more than 7,500 alcohol-related car accident deaths in Davidson County, according to state data. Last year, about 1 out of every 3 fatal crashes involved alcohol.
(Bad) Reasons For Drunk Driving
To get people to stop driving drunk, it is often helpful to understand why they're making the decision to operate a motor vehicle while impaired in the first place.
An interesting study of people ages 15-29 collected reasons given for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Most drivers (90%), say they never drive drunk. The top reason people gave for making sure to get a sober ride home was: "I don't want to cause a car accident."
For the 10% that say they have or continue to drive under the influence of alcohol, here are their reasons (from most to least common):
- "I had to go home and I could not do so any other way."
- "I do it intentionally."
- "It doesn't impair me, I feel good after drinking."
- "I don't drink so much."
- "I don't realize how much I drink."
- "I have to travel."
- "Everyone does it."
- "You have to enjoy life."
Getting Hit By a Drunk Driver
Every alcohol-involved accident is different, but the resulting injuries tend to be similar. Some of the most common injuries that happen in crashes caused by drunk drivers include:
- Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Rib fractures
- Broken arms and legs
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) that may cause partial or permanent paralysis
- Musculoskeletal injuries (MSDs, soft-tissue, tendon, ligament, muscle damage, etc.)
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Back injuries that cause lower back pain, immobility, or chronic back pain
Impaired Driving Crashes During the Holidays
Tennessee takes drunk driving seriously. For example, as part of their sentences, even first-time offenders must use ignition interlocks on their vehicles. The device is meant to prevent drunk driving. It takes a breath sample to get a driver's BAC (blood alcohol content) before starting the car. If the BAC is over the legal limit (0.08), the vehicle will not drive.
Still, around the holidays, people tend to drink and drive more than usual due to associated social occassions and celebrations.
In fact, bad car accidents spike on Black Friday and remain at an above average level through the holidays, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
When drunk drivers cause injuries and death in their communities, it is important that they are held accountable for their reckless actions.
Justice For DUI Crash Victims
If you were injured or a loved one died in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you deserve justice and financial compensation for your losses. At the Law Office of Eric Beasley, Inc., we know how to investigate accidents, build airtight cases, and help our clients move forward by fighting for every dollar they deserve.
Find out how an experienced Nashville car accident attorney can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are based in our founding attorney's hometown of Goodlettsville and serve the greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee region.