Drunk Driving as a Cause of Crash Collisions

There are different reasons why motorcycle and vehicle crash collisions occur. A large number of cases of crash collisions involving vehicles are caused by the negligence committed by the driver. There are many ways wherein a driver may be negligent while driving out on the roads. One of the known acts of drivers that can make them guilty of negligence is known as drunk driving.

The effects of drunk driving may be severe for some so legal help from attorneys should be sought by people who are hurt when an accident occurs because of it.

Overview of Drunk Driving

This negligent act by drivers occurs when they still choose to drive even if they are already under the influence of alcohol. The law prohibits drivers to drive when they are impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs that they took. This means that there should be enough amount of drugs or alcohol in their body that will unable them to think clearly or drive safely.

In almost all states, drivers below 21 years old are believed to be guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is at or is higher than .01% or .02%. This will vary on the state that they are in. Meanwhile, in all states, drivers are considered guilty of DUI or driving while intoxicated (DWI) if their BAC already reached .08 or higher.

Methods in Recognizing Drunk Drivers

Police usually use three kinds of methods so that they will be able to recognize drunk drivers. These methods are blood alcohol level, observation, and sobriety tests.

Blood-alcohol level
The amount of alcohol inside the body of drivers may be determined and understood by measuring the amount of alcohol in their blood. An application of a mathematical formula to the amount of alcohol in their breath or urine can be done to achieve this. In addition, it can also be measured by getting a sample of their blood.

Observation
Drivers who swerved or failed to stop, among others, may be pulled over by the police. There are various factors that may convince the police that a driver is drunk. Some of these factors include slurred words, shaky movements, and the smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath.

Sobriety Tests
Drivers who are suspected to be driving while they are under the influence of alcohol will be required to get out or dismount or get out of their vehicle and perform a series of balance and speech tests.

Determining Punitive Damages

There are different factors that are considered in determining punitive damages in vehicle crash collision cases wherein the party at fault is proven to be negligent because he/she is driving while under the influence of alcohol. Some of these factors are:

• If the incident happened when there was a child inside the vehicle


• If the driver committed DUI in the past


• If the driver was driving a commercial vehicle


• If the driver is already under the legal age

Just and proper compensation for damages must be given to the person who sustained injuries when involved in a motorcycle and vehicle crash collision that happened because the other person involved was under the influence of alcohol. The burden being suffered by the aggrieved person in the incident will be greatly lessened through the guidance provided by skilled attorneys.