The dangers of drunk driving have been well-documented for decades. Unfortunately, some people are still not getting the message, especially during the holidays. That’s why several nationwide organizations hope to raise awareness about drunk driving during the holiday season in December.
“Two of the most celebrated dates in December – Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve – are also among the most dangerous,” says Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). "That is why MADD is teaming up with law enforcement agencies across the country throughout the month of December, which has been recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month for the 39th consecutive year."
Drunk driving crashes spike during the holidays
The numbers are clear – collisions caused by impaired drivers remain a serious problem nationwide. Between 2017 and 2021, crashes caused by drunk drivers resulted in 4,500 car accident fatalities in December during those years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes nationwide.
As a result, MADD, the National Road Safety Foundation, and the National Safety Council (NSC) have all designated December as National Impaired Driving Awareness Month.
“The year-end holiday period from Thanksgiving through New Year's is always one of the most dangerous times on U.S. roads and highways,” says the National Road Safety Foundation, which cited drunk drivers as one of the leading causes of accidents in December.
What is law enforcement doing to combat drunk driving?
With the support of the NHTSA, state and local law enforcement in Nebraska and other states nationwide will work together through January 1st to prevent drunk drivers from wreaking havoc on the roads.
This nationwide effort has been designated “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” As part of this effort, police and other law enforcement officials will educate drivers this month about the dangers of drunk driving. And if police see someone driving under the influence, those drivers can expect to be pulled over and potentially even charged with driving under the influence, which is a serious offense.
What can people do to avoid drunk driving?
The answer is simple – don’t drive drunk. As a result, all drivers should have a plan in place before they go out to celebrate for the holidays.
If you plan to drink alcohol and you’re out with a group of family or friends, some of the suggestions offered by MADD to prevent drunk driving include:
- Designated a sober driver to drive everyone home.
- Take a taxi or use public transportation to get home.
Also, if you see someone on the road who appears to be driving drunk, notify the police immediately. You could be saving their life and other people’s lives as well.
Know your legal options after a crash
Understanding your legal options following a crash in Nebraska is crucial. The state operates under a comparative fault car insurance system, where compensation for injury victims is determined based on their level of fault in causing the accident.
So, what does this mean when dealing with collisions caused by a drunk driver? If you can establish that the impaired driver was 100 percent at fault, you are entitled to full compensation for all your accident-related expenses. At this point, you typically have several options:
- Accept a settlement claim offer from the at-fault driver's insurance company.
- Negotiate for a higher settlement offer.
- Pursue a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver to seek damages, the legal term for financial compensation.
If you were hit by a drunk driver, contact a lawyer
Car accidents caused by drunk drivers in Omaha or another community in Nebraska might seem straightforward. But don’t be surprised if your injury claim or lawsuit quickly becomes a complicated legal case. Sometimes, it’s because the impaired driver denies being drunk at the time of the accident. Other times, it’s insurance companies that are the problem.
Whatever the circumstances of your case, our Omaha car accident attorneys at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. can help you every step of the way. We understand the laws that apply to impaired driving accidents. We know what evidence to look for and what questions to ask when investigating such cases. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success.
Put your trust in a Nebraska law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with an Omaha car accident lawyer focused on winning your case. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you. We handle injury claims throughout Nebraska.