Fourth of July: Beware of Drunk Drivers

This Fourth of July weekend, Americans will come together with friends, food and drinks to commemorate our nation’s independence. Unfortunately, as our personal injury lawyers know, with celebration inevitably comes the risk of injury. Moreover, the risk of injury on the roads, streets and highways of our country increase exponentially when the Fourth of July holiday is tucked into or tacked onto a weekend, opening the door for a 3-day celebration filled with toxic combinations of automobiles and alcohol.

Just as someone injured by a distracted driver has a legitimate legal claim against said person, so too does someone injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver. When a driver consumes alcohol and gets behind the wheel of a car, they risk the safety not only of themselves, but also of everyone and everything with whom and with which they share the road.

This issue is of particular importance this time of year, and on one day in particular. The days and nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the most dangerous for teens on the road. This is for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the regular school year is over, the weather is warm, and people are far more carefree than they are from September through June.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Fourth of July is the single worst day of the year for fatal car crashes. To give you a sense of how much more dangerous July 4th is than other days, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association has stated that 40% of all highway deaths that occurred between the years of 2007 and 2011 were caused by drunk driving over Fourth of July weekend.

To be sure, driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime, punishable by a variety of measures prescribed in the Florida State Statutes. Therefore, someone who is arrested for DUI has to face prosecutors in criminal court. However, the very reason for which driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal can also lead to a DUI case ending up in civil court. DUI is illegal for many reasons, the prime reason being that once inebriated, individuals’ motor skills are significantly diminished. As such, when in “control” of a powerful motor vehicle, they can, through recklessness and negligence, wreak havoc on all in their path.

So, our personal injury attorneys hope that wherever you happen to be celebrating this year, whether it is in Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, or any other areas of South Florida, you celebrate with caution. If you find that you have been injured due to the recklessness or negligence of another, please contact our experienced attorneys to see how we can help you. For a free consultation, please contact the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg by calling 561-266-9191 or by e-mailing daronberg@aroberglaw.com.

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