Now that we are amidst the holiday season, many Connecticut residents will find themselves attending many social occasions where alcohol flows freely. While many individuals are able to responsibly enjoy alcohol, others are either incapable of doing or erroneously think that they are being safe when they are not. When this happens, innocent motorists can be put in harm’s way, and a drunk driving accident can leave them with serious injuries. In some instances, these wrecks are fatal.
Sadly, Connecticut has its fair share of drunk driving accidents. In fact, the last year alone has seen 103 traffic fatalities involving drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. Although this only accounts for 0.39 percent of all traffic fatalities, it is a 6.2 percent increase over the previous year. Statistics on alcohol consumption doesn’t allay concerns, either. Over the last five years, more than 32 percent of those between the ages of 12 and 20 admitted to alcohol consumption in the past month. Nearly 24 percent of individuals in that age group were found to have participated in binge drinking in the previous month.
Although Connecticut has several drunk driving laws and public safety initiatives in place to curtail drunk driving, the sad reality is that far too many individuals continue to drink and drive. Those who are harmed in these accidents are left to pick up the pieces on their own, which could include significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens.
In an attempt to recover compensation and further punish those who choose to drive while intoxicated, those who have been injured by the negligence of a drunk driver can choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. If successful, a victim may be able to recover money for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With so much on the line, these victims may want to consider speaking with a legal professional to determine their best course of action.
Connecticut,” accessed on Nov. 28, 2016
