St. Patrick's Day is a favorite holiday for many people, giving everyone a needed excuse to go out and let loose for an evening - or a few, when the holiday falls near a weekend, as it did this year. Unfortunately, with the added festivities stretching through the weekend, it meant the risk of drunk driving accidents taking place also increased.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 266 people were killed in drunk driving crashes on St. Patrick's Day from 2010 to 2014. In addition, the California Highway Patrol arrested over 120 individuals for driving under the influence in 2015, according to The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Despite increased police patrols and public awareness campaigns, people continue to choose to get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol.
This year, people were encouraged to use ride-sharing services, such as Uber, or a taxi company if they were intoxicated and did not have another sober driver to take them home. In addition, safety experts suggested that motorists should be on the lookout for intoxicated pedestrians, who might not be aware of their surroundings.
The Sacramento Police Department also warned motorists that drugs are often a factor in deadly crashes. According to the Sacramento PD, 30 percent of all motorists who are involved in a deadly accident had some type of drug in their system at the time of the crash. While marijuana is a common drug that can cause impairment, many prescription medications can also influence an individual's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Following a collision caused by an intoxicated motorist, it is a good idea to seek the help of a legal professional as quickly as possible. You will need someone to help ensure you are able to establish liability and hold negligent drivers and insurance companies responsible for the harm caused. The lawyers at Piering Law Firm have decades of experience handling drunk and drugged driving cases and will work diligently on your behalf.