What to Do When You’re a Victim of Drunk Driving
Let’s talk about a serious problem in Louisiana: Drunk driving. Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents across the country and due to the relatively low cost, and easy availability of alcohol and illegal drugs, motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers are unfortunately the norm. The national average of reported drunk drivers is 1.9%, and in Louisiana alone the average is 2.5%. While incidents of drunk driving have decreased significantly in the past three years, it is still a serious issue that the state is constantly fighting.
Louisiana has been tough on drunk driving since it passed an all-offender ignition interlock law back in 2007. From that time on, they’ve focused on ignition interlock compliance, checkpoints, and cracking down on habitual offenders. Lawmakers in Louisiana have even resorted to sending offenders to criminal court instead of local traffic courts.
However, this hasn’t stopped people from getting behind the wheel drunk. Alcohol is a depressant that severely slows down a driver’s central nervous system and reaction time. If you are a victim of an accident involving a drunk driver, watch out for the following signs that they are under the influence.
- Dazed Expression
- Dilated Pupils
- Bloodshot eyes
- Slurred speech
- Staggering
Being in an accident, regardless of the state of the other driver, can be a traumatic experience. The stress can make it difficult to keep your plan of action in mind. Therefore it is best to stay calm, and call the police so they may collect the following evidence. In order to prove that a driver was under the influence at the time of the accident, the injured plaintiff may be able to introduce evidence at their trial:
- Testimony by the injured plaintiff and eyewitnesses describing the manner of the other driver.
- Police officer testimony regarding the defendant.
- Breathalyzer evidence
- Evidence that the defendant driver received a citation for reckless and drunk driving.
- Police report
The plaintiff must also describe the damages and injuries. Damages in drunk driving accident cases consist of both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are types of damages that can be calculated in dollars and cents – such as medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic damages such as pain, suffering, and inconvenience are more subjective and are harder to fight for.
In the vibrant city of New Orleans, drunk driving still remains a major issue and it’s always important to do your research for the best New Orleans Injury Attorney. When it comes to a personal injury lawyer, you deserve lawyers that will fight for you every step of the way. At McGinity Law Firm, personal injury attorney Douglas McGinity has over 15 years of experience in getting his clients the damage awards they deserve for their pain and suffering. Hopefully, the fight against drunk driving will prevail but until then, always keep an experienced law firm like McGinity in your corner.