Every year, our death toll nationally due to drunk drivers arrives at its peak in an otherwise joyous season. The holidays at year's end often involve revelry, and that may result in more drunk driving, which in turn can cause catastrophic injuries if not death for many innocent victims.
If a loved one in your family is such a victim, take comfort in the fact that you can fight back via a drunk driving lawsuit. A drunk driving lawyer or car accident attorney can press for financial compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
This form of legal action is necessary and vital, in that America's drunk driving toll is catastrophically high. In 2007 alone, 13,000 Americans died due to drunk drivers -- almost a third of all who died in traffic collisions. And in the state of Texas in 2008, drunk drivers slaughtered 975 persons. That's 28 per cent of the total traffic accident fatalities.
Historically, it looks even worse. More than a half million Americans have died due to drunk drivers since 1982. In short, drunk drivers have killed more Americans than have all foreign enemies in combat in each American war or military action for 70 years, including World War II. In effect, Americans are being slaughtered by domestic enemies in an undeclared war which never ceases.
The state of Texas has enhanced its laws to help police officers make drunk driving arrests. Beginning Sept. 1, 2009, officers were allowed to take blood samples to test blood alcohol levels (BAC) in suspected drunk drivers without first getting a warrant - which takes precious time. That can be done if the suspect already has a drunk driving record; if a victim besides the suspect dies or is expected to die; if a victim besides the suspect suffers injury and needs to be hospitalized; or if at least one passenger in a vehicle in the accident is a child under 15.
Also combating drunk driving deaths is Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, a national organization with a strong presence in Texas. MADD not only serves drunk driving victims and their families, but also presses for legislation to fight drunk driving. That includes calling for breath-testing devices in cars which will prohibit a drunk driver from turning on the ignition.
All such measures can help, but the terrible toll of drunk driving continues. Messages must be sent to drunk drivers that they will be held accountable for their actions - legally and financially. A car accident lawyer or drunk driving lawyer can fight for such justice.
If a loved one in your family is such a victim, take comfort in the fact that you can fight back via a drunk driving lawsuit. A drunk driving lawyer or car accident attorney can press for financial compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
This form of legal action is necessary and vital, in that America's drunk driving toll is catastrophically high. In 2007 alone, 13,000 Americans died due to drunk drivers -- almost a third of all who died in traffic collisions. And in the state of Texas in 2008, drunk drivers slaughtered 975 persons. That's 28 per cent of the total traffic accident fatalities.
Historically, it looks even worse. More than a half million Americans have died due to drunk drivers since 1982. In short, drunk drivers have killed more Americans than have all foreign enemies in combat in each American war or military action for 70 years, including World War II. In effect, Americans are being slaughtered by domestic enemies in an undeclared war which never ceases.
The state of Texas has enhanced its laws to help police officers make drunk driving arrests. Beginning Sept. 1, 2009, officers were allowed to take blood samples to test blood alcohol levels (BAC) in suspected drunk drivers without first getting a warrant - which takes precious time. That can be done if the suspect already has a drunk driving record; if a victim besides the suspect dies or is expected to die; if a victim besides the suspect suffers injury and needs to be hospitalized; or if at least one passenger in a vehicle in the accident is a child under 15.
Also combating drunk driving deaths is Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, a national organization with a strong presence in Texas. MADD not only serves drunk driving victims and their families, but also presses for legislation to fight drunk driving. That includes calling for breath-testing devices in cars which will prohibit a drunk driver from turning on the ignition.
All such measures can help, but the terrible toll of drunk driving continues. Messages must be sent to drunk drivers that they will be held accountable for their actions - legally and financially. A car accident lawyer or drunk driving lawyer can fight for such justice.
About the Author:
Jim S. Adler & Associates is a longtime Texas personal injury law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Channelview. The law firm offers a free case review and represents victims of auto, car, SUV, truck, motorcycle, bus and other traffic accidents, as well as defective drug and defective medical device victims.
