Appleton Car Accident Lawyers
In every state, laws are in place to provide consequences to drunk drivers and deter them from driving drunk again. The consequences that drivers face for driving under the influence (DUI) often include mandatory drug education programs that show them the dangers they pose to themselves, their passengers, and others on the road when they drive drunk. In some states, like Arizona, implementing harsher penalties for those convicted of DUI has resulted in fewer drunk driving fatalities. Wisconsin has seen the opposite effect – it continues to have a high percentage of repeat DUI offenders on the road because of its relatively lenient penalties for these offenders.
Drunk driving can lead to fatal accidents. According to the CDC, from 2003 to 2012, more than 2,500 people died in accidents caused by drunk drivers on Wisconsin roadways. In many cases, individuals who are involved in crashes with drunk drivers are injured. These injuries can be minor or severe, costing the victim thousands or even millions of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and the need for lifelong disability support. If you have been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for your losses and damages. Contact an experienced Appleton car accident attorney to discuss this possibility after you have sought medical attention for your injury.
Drunk Driving in Wisconsin
In a 2012 survey conducted by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 3.1 percent of Wisconsin drivers reported driving after drinking too much, compared with a national rate of 1.9 percent.
According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin used to be known almost exclusively as a manufacturing and brewing powerhouse. Because alcohol plays such a large role in the state’s history and culture, some residents may possibly underestimate how dangerous it can be. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin has the highest drunk driving rate in the country.
Changing Laws to Save Lives
Currently, Wisconsin is the only state where a first-time drunk driving offense is not a criminal charge. In 2014, the Wisconsin DOT found that 822 drivers had been convicted of drunk driving, charged as operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin, five or more times.
If You Are Involved in an Accident With a Drunk Driver
Call 911 right away to have law enforcement sent to the scene. Once law enforcement arrives, take a copy of the official police report along with the attending officer’s contact information and badge number. Also be sure to take down any other involved drivers’ insurance policy information, contact information, and the contact information for any individuals who witnessed the accident. If you are able, take pictures of the scene of the accident and the damage done to the vehicles involved.
Seek medical attention for your injury as soon as you can after your accident. Your doctor will be able to diagnose your injury and get you started with the appropriate treatment.
Appleton Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a Wisconsin car accident caused by a drunk driver, it is important that you work with an attorney who has the experience necessary to effectively handle the type of case you are facing. Our team of skilled Appleton car accident attorneys at Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. can help you with your case by providing legal advice and representation you can trust. Contact our firm today to schedule your initial legal consultation. Act quickly – after you have received medical treatment for your injury, work with an experienced, compassionate attorney to get the compensation you deserve for your losses.