A recent study appearing the journal Addiction discussed the correlation between a driver’s use of alcohol and drugs and fatal car accidents. The study discovered that alcohol and drugs are involved in more than half of the fatal accidents that occur in the United States. The statistics shed some light on just how widespread the issue of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other illicit substances has become. Moreover, despite all of the educational programs and safety campaigns, the issue continues to plague our roadways putting many people at risk.
Statistics Show Prevalence and Danger of Alcohol and Drug Use among Drivers
The researchers of the study analyzed fatal car accident data covering the time period from 2005 to 2009 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 14 states. The reviews included the toxicology screen results of the drivers. There were several key findings documented. The data revealed that 57.3 percent of the 20,150 drivers that were killed had at least one drug found in their system when the crash occurred, including 19.9 percent testing positive for two or more substances. Alcohol was cited as the most common substance, found in 40.2 percent of the fatally injured drivers followed by marijuana and stimulants. Men and late-night drivers were among the top two groups to have alcohol or drugs in their system following a fatal accident. The percentage of male drivers killed in the accidents with alcohol or drugs detected in their systems was 60 percent, while the number for women was less than 50 percent.
In addition to the study noted above, the NHTSA has also reported that in 2010 there were more than 10,000 traffic fatalities involving a driver that had a blood alcohol concentration level of at 0.08, the legal limit in all states, or higher. This is equivalent to nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Can Cause Fatal or Catastrophic Injuries
Impaired driving continues to be a widespread and worrisome problem in this country. Impaired drivers, including those under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs and controlled substances, not only cause many fatal car accidents, but also cause countless injuries to innocent victims. Drivers who are impaired not only put their own lives at risk. They also endanger the lives of passengers in their cars, other drivers on the road, and pedestrians. These injuries can be catastrophic and life-changing for victims and their families.
Those injured may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing treatments, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and pain and suffering. The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates have seen the devastation and tragic injuries suffered by numerous victims at the hands of a negligent driver. We are dedicated to helping those individuals pursue an auto accident claim with the goal of seeking full and fair compensation for their personal injuries.
Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates – Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an automobile accident caused by an impaired driver or otherwise negligent driver, we encourage you to contact the lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates. We handled all types of cases involving motor vehicle accidents including car, truck, bus, bicycle and motorcycle accidents. We represent clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey with our offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, PA and Voorhees, NJ. Call today at 215-567-6600 to schedule a free consultation or contact us online. Our experienced, knowledgeable personal injury attorneys are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.