How Many Deaths Does Drunk Driving Cause per Year?

Drunk drivers are responsible for far too many traffic fatalities on our roads. In fact, they are among the most dangerous drivers, which may lead you to wonder, “How many deaths does drunk driving cause per year?”

If you have sustained damages and injuries or lost a close family member because of a drunk driver, your losses are likely substantial. Obtaining fair compensation is essential to your ability to recover as fully as possible.

If you are facing this difficult situation, do not wait—discuss your claim with an experienced Ohio drunk driving accident attorney from Charles E. Boyk Law Offices.

Drunk Driving Fatalities

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, on average, 35 people lose their lives every day in the United States as a result of impaired driving. This translates to a victim every 42 minutes. In one recent year alone, there were 12,429 traffic fatalities nationwide due to drunk drivers.

A full 30 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in this country are attributable to drunk driving. In other words, drunk driving is a leading cause of roadway deaths, surpassing even speeding. Even more alarming, the State of Ohio reports that 50 percent of fatal accidents in the state are related to impairment.

Drunk driving puts everyone on our roadways at risk, including other drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Anyone can suffer serious injuries—or even lose their life—because of impaired driving.

Filing Wrongful Death Claims

If an immediate family member lost their life in a fatal drunk driving crash, you may have the right to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. You must demonstrate that another party’s actions, such as impaired driving, caused your loved one’s death, along with the resulting damages your family has suffered.

Our attorneys at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices regularly work with grieving families to seek justice and financial support. We can help you, too.

Proving the Driver’s Fault

When people drive, they take on an immense responsibility—known as a duty of care—to protect the safety of everyone else on the road. When a motorist engages in negligence of any kind, including drunk driving, they breach that duty of care. This breach is a key element in any drunk driving accident claim.

Whether or not the other driver is ultimately charged with drunk driving is a separate matter. However, if they receive a conviction, your attorney can use the criminal record to prove liability.

You will also need to show a clear connection between the other party’s drunk driving and the accident that caused your loved one’s death. If their alcohol use resulted in reckless driving behavior, this may not be difficult to accomplish.

Proving each element of your drunk driving accident claim will depend on the quality of the evidence. With a skilled personal injury lawyer at your side, you can feel confident that the matter is in capable hands.

Have an Accident Attorney Prove Your Claim

To bring a strong claim, you will need to prove the other driver’s negligence, which in this case is impairment. This means having strong evidence to support your assertion. If the police issued a citation for impairment, it can bolster your claim, but it is not the only form of evidence that can help you establish the other driver’s fault in the matter.

Evidence that is often beneficial in drunk driving accident claims includes the following:

• Photos and videos captured by bystanders, by the occupants of other vehicles in the area, or by dashcams, traffic cameras, and security cameras
• The testimony of those who saw the accident unfold
• The expert testimony of professionals with relevant expertise in the specifics of drunk driving accidents
• The police officer’s report, which may speak to signs of impairment
• Your testimony regarding the other driver’s dangerous actions behind the wheel
• Accident reconstruction models that help illustrate the mechanics of the accident and the role that impairment likely played

Our attorneys know how to gather evidence to build the strongest possible case against a drunk driver.

Do Not Wait To Get the Legal Help You Need

In Ohio, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit against a drunk driver who caused it. This is called the statute of limitations, and it is very important to keep it in mind as you proceed.

The best way to balance your recovery with protecting your claim is to retain an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer early in the process. While you concentrate on grieving and being there for your family, your lawyer will work diligently to defend your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve. All you have to do is schedule a free initial consultation with our dedicated legal team.

Will Comparative Negligence Affect My Case?

While the drunk driver who caused your loved one’s death may bear some or even all of the responsibility for the crash, Ohio law still allows you to seek compensation even if your loved one shared some of the fault. Under Ohio’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

If they are facing exaggerated or false accusations of blame, your personal injury attorney can build a strong case to dispute them and hold the impaired driver accountable.

Contact Us After an Injury or Death Due to an Impaired Driver

We hope you now have a better understanding of how many deaths drunk driving causes per year. Our Ohio drunk driving accident attorneys at the Charles E. Boyk Law Offices are committed to fiercely advocating for you to help you move forward after an accident.

Give us a call or contact us online today. A confidential consultation will cost you nothing, but could give you the answer you are looking for.