Beware of Drunk Drivers This Blackout Wednesday
One of the most dangerous times to drive over the holiday season occurs the day before Thanksgiving. Aptly named Blackout Wednesday, this day sees a significant uptick in alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatal crashes caused by impaired drivers.
If you’ve been hurt in a collision caused by an intoxicated driver, an Orlando drunk driving accident lawyer can help you seek compensation. While an experienced personal injury attorney can help you move forward after such an incident, it’s best to beware of drunk drivers on Blackout Wednesday and take safety precautions to protect yourself.
How To Protect Yourself From Drunk Drivers on Blackout Wednesday
Protecting yourself from an accident on days when law enforcement agencies report increased alcohol-impaired driving crashes is always a smart idea. Here’s what you can do to stay safe from drunk drivers on Blackout Wednesday:
Avoid Driving
The easiest way to avoid a collision caused by a drunk college student or a motorist who has decided to drive under the influence of alcohol is to stay off the roads. If you’re planning on attending a family gathering on the day before Thanksgiving, consider taking public transportation or getting to the location earlier in the day to avoid impaired drivers.
Report Intoxicated Drivers
Reporting impaired drivers to law enforcement officials can protect you and others from a deadly crash. If you see a motorist driving in a way that leads you to believe they are intoxicated, pull over and call 911 immediately. Tell law enforcement officers anything you recall about the car you saw, including the license plate, color, make, and model.
Look for the following signs to tell if a driver’s blood alcohol concentration is over the legal limit:
- Abrupt acceleration and deceleration
- Swerving or zig-zagging across the road
- Crossing the double-yellow line repeatedly
- Braking suddenly
- Driving much slower than the posted speed limit
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Other forms of reckless driving
Being aware of potentially drunk drivers on Blackout Wednesday can help you stay safe. If you notice any of the above-mentioned driving behaviors, don’t wait to contact the police. Your report could prevent a serious collision and even save someone’s life.
Abide by Traffic Laws
Abiding by traffic laws can help you avoid contributing to a crash with a drunk driver on Blackout Wednesday. Follow these driving safety tips to ensure you don’t partially cause a collision on the night before Thanksgiving:
- Abide by the speed limit
- Focus on the road and avoid distractions
- Don’t drive while tired
- Signal lane changes and turns
- Don’t eat, adjust the radio, or turn around to talk to passengers while driving
While it’s important to be aware of drunk drivers on Blackout Wednesday, it’s also critical to monitor your driving and make sure you’re not doing anything that could contribute to a crash. Following the above-listed steps can protect you from serious car accident injuries and losses.
Practice Defensive Driving
Defensive driving techniques can also protect you from sustaining an injury in a Blackout Wednesday accident with a drunk driver.
Familiarize yourself with the following defensive driving measures to stay safe on the roads this winter holiday season:
- Don’t follow other vehicles too closely
- Keep your eyes peeled for road obstacles and other hazardous driving conditions
- Give other cars ample space when passing
- Allow motorists who are driving faster to pass you
- Wear a seatbelt
- Stay alert and aware of all drivers on the road
The most important defensive driving technique to use on Blackout Wednesday is to be aware of potentially drunk drivers. That said, all of the measures listed above can help you avoid a collision, painful injuries, and significant financial losses.
A Lawyer Can Help if You’ve Been in a Crash Caused by a Drunk Driver
If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision caused by an impaired driver, you’ll want to enlist the services of an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer. An attorney can handle your insurance claim or civil suit and demand fair compensation for your accident-related losses.
A lawyer can investigate the collision, collect important evidence, prove fault, build a claim on your behalf, and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. If insurers refuse to offer a fair payment or if your losses exceed policy limits, an attorney can take your case to trial and fight for the following damages on your behalf:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Ambulance and hospital costs
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages if your family member died in a crash
Meet With an Orlando Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for Free
While being aware of drunk drivers on Blackout Wednesday can help you avoid a serious accident, even the most strict safety measures can’t always protect you from a reckless motorist. Luckily, if you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, an attorney can help you.
Moving past an accident caused by an impaired driver can be incredibly expensive and painful. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations and no upfront fees if they take on your case. Hiring effective representation after a crash is easy and affordable, so don’t wait to get the help you need to make a full recovery.
Recent Comments