Ocala News recently reported that a Fort McCoy man was killed after being ejected from a vehicle in a DUI crash in Marion County. The evening crash occurred when a 1999 Ford SUV driven by a 29-year-old man suddenly veered off the roadway and overturned, ejecting both the driver and his passenger. Neither of the men were wearing their seatbelts. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by Marion County Fire Rescue and his passenger was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
How Dangerous can Drunk Driving be?
As the recent example in the news illustrates, drunk driving often has serious implications for both the driver and other people. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that alcohol-impaired drivers are involved in a motor vehicle accident leading to a fatality every 50 minutes in this country. Tragically, this means that 29 people die every day in motor vehicle accidents in which alcohol is a factor.
Statistics indicate that the consequences of drunk driving are even more grim right here in the Sunshine State than they are in the rest of the country. The CDC has also indicated that during one nine-year period, almost 8,500 people were killed in car crashes involving a drunk driver in Florida.
What Signs Might Indicate That Another Driver is Intoxicated?
While many people would never attempt to drink before driving, it is imperative that every driver understands what the signs of an impaired driver, are as may help you avoid a DUI crash. Signs of an impaired driver typically include behaviors such as:
- Erratically swerving between lanes
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Abruptly hitting the brakes seemingly without reason
- Driving without headlights in the dark
- Close calls with other drivers or objects like guardrails
- Driving too fast or too slow for road conditions
You should always be on high alert when driving at night, during the weekend, and around the holidays. If you see a driver who you suspect is intoxicated, quickly put a significant amount of space between your car and the impaired driver. If someone else is riding with you, have your passenger write down the license plate number of the vehicle and record the driver with his or her smartphone. If driving alone, take note of the make, model, color, and any other details you can safely observe such as bumper stickers. Call 9-1-1 to report the vehicle once there is enough space between the suspected impaired driver and your own vehicle.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured Because in a DUI Crash?
Car accidents are always frustrating, and sadly, sometimes life changing. But the aftermath may be more difficult when you are an injured victim of a DUI crash. We sympathize with what you and your family have experienced, and we have a team of experienced Car Accident Attorneys who are committed to finding solutions in tough cases . Insurance companies will try to minimize your compensation and ignore the seriousness of your injuries. Ocala Personal Injury Attorneys Alavi & Pozzuto will fight the insurance companies to get the compensation that you need for medical bills, property damage and your long-term recovery. Contact Alavi & Pozzuto today.