In Florida, the laws are incredibly strict for drunk driving. Those convicted of DUI have it on their driving record for 75 years. The penalties and fines are harsh, yet despite the consequences, people still get behind the wheel when they are intoxicated.
Drunk driving leads to tragedy for many families, leaving behind serious life-altering injuries, or worse, taking the lives of innocent people.
Stories and Statistics on Drunk Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37 people die every day from drunk driving accidents in the U.S. The NHTSA’s data for 2021 shows that 13,384 people died in accidents caused by drunk drivers.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) published statistics for 2022, revealing 5,232 drunk driving crashes in the state. This resulted in over 3,052 injuries and 406 fatalities.
When you look at the news, you can clearly see the stories behind the statistics. In October 2023, one motorcyclist was killed by a drunk driver, leaving their family reeling in pain. Another driver lost their life while delivering a pizza.
While these statistics and stories show some of the problem, they do not completely portray the devastation that it creates for injury victims, their families, or society.
Physical and Mental Impacts of Drunk Driving Crashes
If you are lucky enough to survive an accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be left with life-changing injuries. Spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries may never heal. Your life as you once knew it may be impossible to return to and you’ll have to adapt to the limitations caused by your catastrophic injuries.
The emotional impacts can also be traumatic. You may feel guilty if one of your passengers didn’t survive. You may be angry that you will never walk again, or be completely terrified of getting into a car.
For those who lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash, the pain of the loss may be too much to bear. In addition to grief, they may feel anxiety or worry about how to shoulder the burden of providing for their family. When the victim of a drunk driving crash is a child, it is one of the most devastating things anyone can endure.
Financial Strains Caused by Drunk Drivers
When someone negligently gets behind the wheel after drinking and causes an accident, the medical bills are often massive. You may need ongoing medical care for the rest of your life as a result of these injuries. Some injury victims may never be able to work again. The expenses increase while the stress and agony of the entire situation weigh on your mind.
Disruption to the Community
Drunk driving creates tragedies for families and the community at large. Schools lose students while neighborhoods lose friends and family. Things are never quite the same when drunk drivers destroy the safety and security of the community.
If you or a loved one were in an accident with a drunk driver, contact a drunk driving accident law firm to find out more about your legal options.
