Posted on Monday, February 29th, 2016 at 10:16 pm
According to Sacramento police, the driver of a sedan crashed into a Hummer at the corner of Northgate Boulevard and Tenaya Avenue in north Sacramento causing the death of one person and injuring three others, including herself. The driver, Antoinette Stewart, was charged with felony DUI after one of the passengers in her car died from injuries sustained in the accident. Stewart and the other two passengers were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Due to the severity of the injuries and the circumstances of the accident, the major collision investigative unit was called to the accident scene.
Effects of Alcohol on Driving Ability
You may have heard people claim they are “okay to drive” or “drive better” after drinking; however, this is simply not true. Even a small amount of alcohol will impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle. According to the Centers for Disease Control, just two alcoholic drinks can result in a decline in visual functions and the ability to perform two tasks at the same time.
At about four alcoholic drinks, your BAC is at the legal limit and you may experience:
- Poor muscle coordination
- Reduction in self-control
- Short-term memory loss
- Impaired perception
- Reduction in information processing capability
- Difficulty judgment speed
- Difficulty detecting danger
The only definite way to prevent drunk driving accidents is to not drink and drive. The high cost of DUI accidents is not worth the risk of driving after drinking.
The High Cost of DUI Accidents
Every two hours, three people die in alcohol-related accidents in the United States. During 2014, we lost 9,967 people in alcohol-related accidents according to the NHTSA. Obviously, the loss of life and the physical injuries to survivors of DUI accidents represent the highest cost of a DUI accident. The economic losses associated with DUI accidents will never equal or come close to the loss of a life; however, the economic losses are substantial.
In 2010 (the most recent year data is available), alcohol-impaired crashes resulted in $44 billion in damages. Economic damages related to alcohol-impaired accidents include but are not limited to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Funeral, cremation, and burial expense
- Long-term personal care
- Emergency Medical Services
- Lost productivity
- Insurance administration
According to one report, when you factor in the societal harm from the loss of life and the loss of the quality of life for the victims of DUI accidents, the cost of alcohol-impaired crashes is just over $201 billion. If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI accident, you understand the exactly how a drunk driver can cause substantial harm to others.
Have You Been Injured in a Sacramento DUI Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI accident in Sacramento or anywhere in California, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. The driver who caused the accident may be charged with a crime; however, this is separate from your civil claim. If the driver and/or the insurance company for the driver do not compensate your losses, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit for damages.
Contact the Tiemann Law Firm if you have been injured by a drunk driver by calling (916) 999-9000. You may also chat with a representative on our website if that is more convenient for you. Drunk drivers hurt others — do not be a victim off the road, hire our DUI attorneys to protect your legal right to receive compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
