Drunk driving is responsible for around one-third of all traffic-related deaths in New York and the rest of the United States. Certain people, including drivers and passengers under the age of 24, motorcyclists and those with prior DUIs, are at greater risk of dying in a drunk driving crash.

There are numerous fatal injuries that can occur during an alcohol-related car accident. One of the most common is a traumatic head injury, which can happen when someone hits the steering wheel, dash or some other part of the vehicle’s interior. A head injury can also occur if the top or sides of a vehicle are crushed in the collision. Many car crash victims also suffer severe soft tissue lacerations and/or damage to their internal organs, which can cause them to bleed to death.

Most U.S. states have a legal blood alcohol limit of .08, which is one of the highest limits in the world. When a person is found to have .08 percent of alcohol in their bloodstream, it means that their blood contains one-eighth of one-percent of alcohol. This can cause them to have a reduced reaction time while driving. It can also cause them to make poor decisions.

Victims of drunk driving car accidents can suffer various catastrophic injuries. If a victim manages to survive these injuries, they may be left with a permanent disability that leaves them unable to work. In order to recover medical expenses, lost wages and other damages, a victim may find it necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver who caused the crash. If a victim dies in the crash, their family may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Source: Wise Geek, “What Are the Common Causes of Drunk Driving Fatalities?,” March 20, 2018