One Killed in Drunk Driving Accident
A December 11 one-vehicle crash in the early hours of the morning in Fair Oaks caused the death of one man and injured the driver. According to a representative of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver of the vehicle was charged with drunk driving in the incident.
What Happened
The accident happened about 2:00 in the morning when a Toyota Corolla, driven by a Sacramento man, 24, crashed into a wall close to Fair Oaks Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard. The two individuals in the vehicle had to be removed from the car by rescue crews but were breathing and conscious. They were both transported to the Mercy San Juan Medical Center with serious injuries. The passenger, who was not wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident, perished from his injuries.
We send our condolences to the loved ones of the man who passed away.
Drunk Driving Is a Problem
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one individual died in 2016 every 50 minutes because of a drunk driver. Deaths caused by drunk drivers in 2016 totaled 10,497.
Drunk Driving in Sacramento County
In 2014, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 11,710 deaths and injuries caused by car accidents in Sacramento County. Of that number, 1,193 of those crashes involved alcohol. Seventy-two were reported as age 21 or younger, while 388 were between the ages of 21 and 34.
Signs of an Impaired Driver
Knowing some signs that help identify a drunk driver on the road can be helpful to avoid an accident. According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, one of 10 drivers over the weekends is either driving drunk or impaired.
- Turning wide
- Hugging the centerline
- Striking or almost striking objects such as parked cars
- Trouble staying in the lane
- Speeding or driving too slow
- Driving at night without headlights
- Stopping suddenly without a reason
- Using turn signals inappropriately
- Driving with windows down when it’s cold outside
- Tailgating
Effects of Alcohol on a Driver
No one would argue that driving requires alertness. Drinking has major effects on a driver’s ability to react in a way that requires quick and responsible decisions. Some deleterious effects of drinking while driving are:
- Visual Effects: Driving affects vision. Eye movement, eye muscle function, and perception are affected, causing blurred vision. Color and night vision may also be affected.
- Reflexes: Driving affects the brain’s ability to react quickly.
- Alertness: Since driving affects alertness, a lowered attention span and sleepiness may result. Falling asleep at the wheel is a major contributor to single-vehicle crashes.
- Location: Drunk drivers are often unable to accurately judge how far they are from other vehicles or objects. They also have difficulty not crossing the centerline.
- Reduced Coordination: Drunk drivers are unable to coordinate foot/hand/eye movement.
- Decision making: Alcohol interferes with the decision-making process.
Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents cause horrific injuries. Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury are common. Others include chest and abdominal internal injuries and multiple fractures.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. If you or your family have suffered injuries caused by a collision with a drunk driver, please give me a call at (916) 921-6400. I am honored to offer you my advice, which is friendly and free. I also offer an online contact form.
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I’ve worked as a Sacramento and Northern California injury lawyer for 35 years, defending the rights of injury victims to obtain just compensation for them in areas such as wrongful death and traumatic injuries.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/drink-driving-drunk-alcohol-808790/
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