Studies often cite Texas as one of the states with the highest rates of drunk driving. While it is difficult to find anyone who disagrees regarding the immense risk associated with drunk driving, motorists continue to drive drunk. In fact, drunk driving car accidents in Midland, TX are far too common. If you sustained injuries caused by an impaired driver, reach out for the skilled legal guidance you need from our experienced car accident attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris.
Potential Danger Increases With Blood Alcohol Concentration
Authorities measure Impairment by blood alcohol concentration (BAC). As a driver’s BAC rises toward the legal limit of .08 percent and exceeds it, the associated risk factors become increasingly profound. Consider the following examples of impairment:
- Impaired judgment and reasoning ability
- Difficulty steering effectively
- Lack of attention
- Lowered inhibitions
- Decreased muscle coordination
- Difficulty recognizing danger
- Lapses in self-control
- Slower reaction times
None of these bode well when someone is driving. The fact is that drunk drivers can cause fatal vehicle collisions on Midland roadways, leading to serious pain and suffering.
What Is Dangerous Impairment?
A Midland motorist need not be over the legal drinking limit to be seen as driving while intoxicated, and for a court to find them responsible for a resulting car crash. If alcohol causes a driver to breach the duty of care they owe others on the road, a court can hold them liable for the legal damages someone experiences. This is regardless of the at-fault driver’s BAC reading.
Duty of care in this context refers to the responsibility every motorist accepts regarding the safety of everyone else on the road. Legal damages refer to the claimant’s current and ongoing medical bills, lost income, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Drunk Drivers and Car Accidents
Impaired drivers are as dangerous as they are unpredictable, which means they can cause virtually any kind of life-threatening auto accident in Midland. Some types, however, are more common than others.
Head-On Accidents
When a driver heads in the wrong direction down an exit or roadway, it increases the risk of head-on accidents. These are about as dangerous as car accidents get, and drunk drivers are more likely to cause them.
Rollover Accidents
Overcorrecting while driving often triggers rollover accidents. Drunk drivers are more likely to make dangerous driving errors and to respond unsafely due to the impairments they experience. This is a prime cause of rollovers, and there are few driving events that are more terrifying or dangerous for everyone on the road.
T-Bone Accidents
Traffic converges in intersections. This means that they present numerous potential hazards requiring motorists to make carefully considered decisions prior to entering. Drunk driving affects decision-making skills, and impaired drivers are more likely to lack the concentration necessary to proceed with due caution. This often results in dangerous T-bone accidents.
Sideswipe Accidents
A hallmark of drunk driving is weaving in and out of one’s lane, which is a common cause of sideswipe accidents. These collisions can force the struck driver out of their lane, which can result in a devastating head-on collision, a multiple-car pileup, or both.
Speak to a Midland Accident Lawyer Today About Injuries Caused by a Drunk Driver
Drunk driving car accidents in Midland are a serious concern. If a drunk driver leaves you or someone you love injured, our formidable personal injury attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris dedicate our practice to guiding challenging claims toward favorable resolutions. We welcome the opportunity to do the same for you. To learn more about what we could do to help, please do not delay contacting us online or giving our firm a call today.
