Here in the state of Illinois, law enforcement officials are constantly on the lookout for inebriated drivers. According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, more than 27,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, throughout 2017 alone. Despite that fact, drunk driving is still a significant safety threat to travelers throughout the state. In 2017, alcohol was the primary cause of approximately 30% of all statewide traffic fatalities. In all, drunk driving leads to 330 fatalities, throughout 2017. If you or a loved one suffer an injury in a car accident, involving a drunk driver, it is important to contact an experienced attorney.
A Deeper Dive
Perhaps it should come as no surprise, that many drunk driving collisions occur during night-time driving hours. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 32% of all fatal drunk driving collisions, in 2016, occurred between midnight and 4:00 am. Equally unsurprising is the fact that 41% of all deadly drunk driving accidents occurred on either Friday or Saturday. Tragically, drinking and driving can impact every kind of traveler. Drunk drivers are less likely to react to pedestrians or bicyclists, due to diminished reaction time and blurred vision.
With summer fast approaching, it should be noted that drinking and driving is more prevalent on holidays. Here in the United States, the Fourth of July is a notorious day for drinking and driving. Nationwide, 146 people were fatally injured in drunk driving collisions on July 4th, 2015. In the state of Illinois, more than 21% of all traffic fatalities that occurred on July 4th, 2016, were due to the irresponsible actions of drunk drivers. For additional information on how to react to a drunk driving collision, speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.
Contact a Plainfield Injury Lawyer
When a loved one is significantly injured in a motor vehicle collision, the injuries suffered can impact the entire family. Outside of the emotional toll of an injury, serious harm can lead to high medical bills and loss of income from being unable to work. At Flaherty Law, LLC, we are dedicated to ensuring that your family receives the injury compensation you need to recover from any and all injuries suffered. Whether the other driver is arguing that they were not at fault, or insurance complications are leading to difficulties securing compensation, we will be there every step of the way. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Will County car accident attorney, call us today at 815-860-5702.
Sources:
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Resources/Safety/Crash-Reports/crash-facts/2016%20Crash%20Facts.pdf