Green Bay, WI drunk driving accident lawyerIn recent years, alcohol has been a factor in more than 5,000 annual car accidents in Wisconsin, resulting in 170 annual fatalities, a number that represents over 30 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths in the state. Despite these statistics, many drivers are not fully aware of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, and it may be eye-opening to consider information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that speaks to just how risky drunk driving can be.

How Does Drinking Affect a Person’s Driving Abilities?

You may be aware of the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08, but according to the NHTSA, driving after consuming any amount of alcohol can be dangerous. To illustrate this point, here are some of the possible effects people experience at different BAC levels:

  • At a BAC of 0.02, visual functions may decline, and it may become more difficult to multitask.
  • At a BAC of 0.05, it may take longer to respond to emergency situations, and steering and coordination may be impaired.
  • At a BAC of 0.08, concentration, short-term memory, information processing, and perception can all suffer significantly.
  • At a BAC of 0.10, muscle control is significantly impaired, making it difficult to brake or maintain lane position.
  • At a BAC of 0.15 or above, physical and mental capabilities can be majorly impaired, making it difficult to control a vehicle or keep focus on the task of driving.

What Should You Do if You Are Injured by a Drunk Driver?

After any accident in which you are injured, you should seek medical attention and contact an attorney as soon as possible. If you believe that another driver was at fault, it is crucial to begin collecting evidence promptly to have the best chance of establishing liability. In the case of a drunk driving accident, your attorney can help you gather evidence including photographs of the scene and the vehicles, camera footage, police reports, 911 call transcripts, witness testimony, and BAC test results. Even if the driver’s BAC was below the legal limit of 0.08, he or she still may be liable for your injuries if we can demonstrate that alcohol impairment caused the accident.

Contact an Appleton Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer 

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, you may be dealing with severe injuries, high medical expenses, and other adverse effects on your life. In addition to the many other damages you are entitled to claim, you may also have the right to pursue claims for “punitive damages” in order to punish the drunk driver and deter others from this kind of conduct. At [[title]], we can help you pursue full and fair compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Contact a Green Bay car accident attorney today at 920-739-7366 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/statistics/final.aspx

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving