These days, distracted driving gets most of the attention when people talk about the main causes of motor vehicle accidents. However, the reality is that drunk driving is still a major problem in America, despite decades of awareness programs that have attempted to impress upon the public just how dangerous this conduct can be.
In fact, according to a recent report that cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, approximately 37 people die every day in America due to drunk driving – a shockingly high number.
The statistics are grave
When you do the math based on the above-referenced statistic, the danger of drunk driving becomes even more clear: over 11,000 deaths in America per year due to drunk driving, accounting for about one-third of all traffic deaths, according to the NHTSA.
Now that we’re in the summer months, our readers can probably expect to see more news about drunk driving as the cause of motor vehicle accidents – the NHTSA statistics show that this is the time of year when drunk driving accidents are most likely to occur, especially in July.
The harshest fact about drunk driving is that it is entirely preventable. Just like how easy it would be for drivers to put their cellphones down while driving, it is just as simple to imagine how easy it would be to choose not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to attempt to recover financial compensation. The recklessness and negligence of the drunk driver can lead to a decision that will award damages to pay for your medical expenses and other costs associated with the motor vehicle accident.