Of all the deaths that result from traffic injuries, a third arises from drunk driving crashes. Having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or above in Ohio can lead to fines, license suspension and other penalties. At 0.08 percent, drivers will experience impaired reaction times and greatly increase their chances for a crash.
Drivers should know that the liver takes about one hour to process one ounce, or about 30 milliliters, of alcohol consumed. In compromised livers, it takes much longer. Until that occurs, the alcohol remains in the blood. Drivers under 24, motorcyclists and those with prior DUI convictions see the highest risk for a fatal drunk driving crash. Those who mix alcohol with drugs or medications do so as well.
Younger drivers are in greater danger than older adults because of several reasons. For example, they are relatively inexperienced and tend to travel in groups, which can pose a distraction.
Head trauma and excessive blood loss are most commonly involved in drunk driving deaths. The former can occur when drivers hit their head on the steering wheel or when flying debris strikes them. The latter can occur internally when the abdomen is struck by the steering column or pierced by glass. Excessive blood loss causes the victim to go into hypovolemic shock, which can prove fatal.
Those who survive a car accident caused by a drunk motorist can file a personal injury claim against the driver’s auto insurance company. In the event of a fatality, a family member or other eligible relative could file a wrongful death suit. Much will depend on how victims stand in relation to the state’s comparative negligence law. This is why hiring a lawyer is so important. Once it’s clear that the victim is less at fault than the defendant, the lawyer could strive for a settlement.
