A large percentage of auto accidents are unavoidable as they occur due to unforeseen road hazards, adverse weather conditions, or vehicle defects. However, many other crashes are completely preventable. Accidents caused by a drunk driver fall into the latter category.
Anyone who makes the decision to drive while intoxicated is aware of the possible consequences. And while Florida law has strict DUI laws to punish drunk drivers, it does not stop people from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
In fact, statistically speaking, about two out of every three people in the U.S. will be involved in at least one drunk driving accident during their lifetime. This makes sense, considering that someone is injured by a drunk motorist every two minutes. In the United States, around 30 people die each day in DUI-related collisions (or one person every 48 minutes).
Drunk Driving Accident in Hillsborough County
Six people were injured in an apparent drunk driving crash in Valrico, Hillsborough County. As reported by The Tampa Bay, six people were hospitalized after an early morning accident involving a suspected drunk motorist. Ironically, the driver crashed into two DUI investigators.
The collision, which happened near the intersection of Highway 60 East and Church Street, occurred when a black Chevrolet Impala jumped the median’s curb, slammed into one of the patrol cars, and sideswiped the other. The two parked patrol vehicles were monitoring traffic at the time of the crash.
The driver was driving three of his friends home from a restaurant and admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel, according to the investigators. The vehicle belonged to one of the passengers. The police suspect that alcohol caused the driver to fall asleep.
Potentially at-Fault Parties in a Drunk Driving Crash
Under Florida law, drunk driving is a serious offense. Anyone who decides to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher can face DUI penalties. While the drunk motorist is typically at-fault for causing the car crash, he or she may not be the only party to blame.
After all, other parties may contribute to accidents involving an impaired driver. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to determine who is responsible for the drunk driving crash. Other potentially liable parties may include:
- The alcohol-serving establishment. Under Florida’s dram shop law, bars, restaurants, and alcohol-serving establishments can be held responsible for a DUI collision if they knowingly served alcohol to a minor or an adult who already appears to be intoxicated or has a drinking problem.
- An adult who served a minor. If adults and minors are drinking at a party or private property, the adult who served alcohol to a minor may be held partially at-fault if the minor later decides to get behind the wheel while impaired.
If you were in a crash involving an impaired adult or minor, speak with our Tampa auto accident attorneys to establish fault and evaluate your damages. Contact The Turnbull Firm by calling at 863-324-3500.
Resources:
madd.org/statistics/
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/05/10/two-hillsborough-deputies-injured-in-head-on-collision-with-suspected-drunk-driver/