The dangers of drunken driving are severe. Many people know that there are additional legal penalties that come with a drunken driving conviction, but it is important to note that drunken driving convictions are a criminal matter, and thus they are not the same as personal injury claims, which are civil matters. This means, for example, if a driver is convicted of driving under the influence, victims can also file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits against the individual to be compensated.
The simple fact is that drunken driving significantly increases the chance of being involved in an accident due to the side-effects of intoxication. Blurred vision, impaired decision-making and slower reflexes all contribute to more reckless and dangerous driving patterns. The majority of Tennessee residents drive almost every day, and despite all of the drivers on the road, accidents are relatively rare, affecting only a small percentage of drivers. When someone gets behind the wheel of a car while drunk, it is a minor miracle if an accident does not occur.
Because of this, if you have been involved in a car accident of any kind, you may wish to consider the possibility that the other driver was intoxicated. Look for signs such as slurred speech or poor balance. Of course, you should always call the police if you are involved in an accident, and the officer may conduct field sobriety tests if he or she has reason to believe that a driver may be intoxicated.
If you can prove that another driver was intoxicated at the time of your accident, your chances of recovering compensation for the accident will increase dramatically. If you believe that you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, visit our webpage to learn how we can help you with your legal claim to get the compensation you deserve.