With Halloween under our belt, many residents in Virginia and elsewhere are prepared for the holiday season approaching. No matter what holidays a person celebrates, these next few months are often busy with celebrations and family gatherings. While this is an enjoyable time, it is also a time where the roads are crowded, winter weather impacts the roads and motorists are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol.
Are car accidents more common around the holidays? Based on data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 728 people are injured between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in drunk driving accidents. This rate is around two to three times higher than the rate experienced the rest of the year.
Whether it is during the late night hours or the early morning commute, a drunk driver could be on the roadway at any time. And when a drunk driver causes an accident, victims could suffer serious injuries, resulting in damages such as medical bills, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, lost wages and other related damages.
While the holiday season is an excellent time to celebrate, it is not the time to celebrate with alcohol and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. A drunk driving accident could result in serious injuries and even death; thus, it is important that victims, as well as their loved ones, understand their rights. A civil action, such as a personal injury claim or wrongful death action could help hold a drunk driver accountable and help with the recovery of compensation for losses and damages suffered.