The end of year holidays just finished up, which means festive get-togethers, holiday parties, and spending more time with friends and family. During these celebratory times, many people tend to find that they consume alcohol more than they usually do during other times of the year. In fact, some people may find that even if they don’t usually drink, they make an exception during the holidays. Others tend to go a little overboard and drink more than they probably should.
As an attorney representing the victim of a drunk driving accident victim, you’re doing everything in your power to assist your clients. With cases sometimes taking a long time to settle, you may feel helpless at times. But with the pre-settlement funding options offered through USClaims.com, you can help your clients get the money they need to take care of expenses while you fight for their settlements. Call us today to see how we can help 1-877-USClaims.
Alcohol Consumption During the Holidays
A survey from alcohol.org proves this very fact. Data revealed that out of 1,000 survey respondents, 40 percent of women and 44 percent of men admitted to binge drinking on just New Year’s Eve alone, without even taking the remainder of December into consideration. Alcohol.org defines binge drinking as the consumption of five or more drinks for men (four or more for women) within a two-hour period. Unfortunately, this also means an increase in drunk driving, which ultimately results in a spike in holiday drunk driving accidents.
Holiday Drunk Driving Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that on average, there are 36 traffic fatalities each day directly related to drunk driving accidents. These numbers tend to soar, however, during the holiday season. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported a 12-percent increase in holiday drunk driving accidents in the month of December, with a 40-percent increase during Christmas week and New Year’s Eve.
Drunk Driving Accidents and Personal Injury Lawsuits
Drunk driving accidents are absolutely devastating for the victims involved. The individual harmed in the accident is not the only one affected; their loved ones’ lives are forever changed, too. In the beginning of the new year, personal injury lawyers may see an increase in lawsuits related directly to drunk driving accidents. Lawyers may pursue monetary compensation on behalf of the plaintiff for their injuries. Some of the injuries resulting from drunk driving crashes can be permanent and affect a victim’s quality of life, making it difficult—or even impossible—to return to work.
Holiday Drunk Driving Accidents and Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Tragically, many family members will also be pursuing wrongful death claims on behalf of loved ones they lost in drunk driving accidents during the holiday season. They often seek damages to cover loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other costs. It can be hard for someone going through something of this magnitude to process everything that’s happening, and beyond just being their attorney, you may also be a shoulder for them to lean on. Although they know that no amount of money can undo what happened, you’ll want to explain that you’ll be doing everything in your power to get the justice that their loved one deserves.
Liability in Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuits
Determining liability in a drunk driving accident is not always cut and dry. Oftentimes, it is a negligent driver with blood alcohol levels above the state’s legal limit who is directly to blame for the accident. In other situations, however, dram shop laws might apply, and those who supplied the alcohol to the driver may also be found liable.
We May be Able to Help with your Clients’ Pre-Settlement Funding Needs
At USClaims, we offer pre-settlement funding, if a case is qualified for pre-settlement funding then we would purchase a portion of the proceeds of the anticipated court judgment or settlement for some cash now. USClaims only gets paid if a case is won or has reached a settlement! Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
