With the holiday season in full swing, many Kansas City residents may be attending office holiday parties and gathering with friends and family. In addition to the appetizers and holiday cookies, party-goers may also be enjoying an alcoholic beverage or two. While having a drink may be a way for some to unwind or celebrate the holidays, intoxicated drivers can pose a threat to other drivers and pedestrians.
In fact, most car fatalities surrounding the New Year’s holiday are related to alcohol. In a study tracking car accidents from 2007 through 2011, the National Safety Council found that 42 percent of the average 108 traffic deaths during the New Year’s period were linked to alcohol impairment. Traffic fatalities were slightly lower during the Christmas period, 93 traffic deaths on average, only 35 percent of which were related to alcohol. The National Safety Council also predicts that over 16,700 people will suffer injuries from car accidents during a 30 -hour period beginning December 31.
Even the most careful driver can become a car accident victim when a drunk driver is on the road. By filing a civil lawsuit against the drunk driver, the victim may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and property damage. If claiming the auto accident was caused by a drunk driver, the victim must show that the defendant driver was so intoxicated that he or she could not safely operate an automobile and that the defendant driver did not exercise reasonable care for the public’s safety. Typically, victims prove their case by using evidence such as police reports, witness reports and expert opinions.
In addition to putting a damper on holiday celebrations, an auto accident can result in injuries that require costly medical care and extensive property damage. While acquiring all of the necessary evidence may seem daunting, filing a negligence lawsuit in Missouri can provide the victim with compensation to alleviate the costs of the accident.
Source: In Auto News, “US car fatalities on New Year’s mostly related to alcohol,” Aurel Niculescu, Dec. 20, 2013