Attorney David J. King

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Common types of car accidents caused by drunk drivers

On Behalf of | Jul 4, 2022 | Car Accidents

Each year, thousands of auto accidents are caused by drunk driving, making it one of the leading causes of auto accidents in the U.S. 

Alcohol impairs the driver’s key senses (vision and hearing). Additionally, it inhibits the driver’s muscle coordination, judgment and reaction times. All of these things increase the odds of drunk driving accidents like: 

Head-on collisions

Drunk drivers cause head-on collisions when they veer off their lane onto oncoming traffic. Additionally, alcohol impairs the motorist’s vision and ability to read and interpret traffic signals and signs as well as the actions of other road users. All these combine to increase the likelihood of head-on collisions. 

Read-end collisions

Intoxicated drivers are more likely to have difficulty judging and maintaining safe distances while on the road. In an event of an emergency, they may not have enough room to stop the vehicle before hitting the car in front. Add to this impaired vision and the likelihood of a rear-end collision becomes even greater. The risk is greater when driving large commercial vehicles that are heavier and thus require more attention to maneuver and stop safely during an emergency. 

Pedestrian accidents

A pedestrian accident is one of the most deadly accidents that can be caused by drunk drivers. Most of these accidents happen when the drunk driver fails to give way to the pedestrian at the crosswalk or when the driver veers off the road onto the sidewalk where they end up running over the pedestrian. Pedestrian accidents often lead to fatalities or catastrophic injuries. 

Driving under influence is both dangerous and illegal. Find out how you can pursue a car accident claim if you are hurt in a drunk driving accident that was not your fault. 

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