Memorial Day kicks off our summer here in Indianapolis. Just like everywhere else in the country, we like to get outside with family and friends, fire up the grill, and commit to enjoying the day and all that it has on offer. With Memorial Day, however, comes increased driving dangers, especially with the Indianapolis 500 taking place that weekend. The fun and festivities of the long weekend often include popping open a few beers and imbibing more than is prudent. Drunk drivers are dangerous drivers, and that makes Memorial Day weekend an especially dangerous time to be on the road.
More People on the Road
According to AAA, more people are hitting the roads during holidays like Memorial Day each year, and that’s not expected to end in 2018. A strong economy promotes increased travel, and with more cars on the road comes more drunk drivers.
The Deadly Statistics
CBS news reports statistics culled from the National Traffic Safety Administration by Value Penguin that finds motorists and passengers are four times more likely to die in a traffic accident over Memorial Day weekend than during any other non-holiday weekend. From 2011 to 2015, there were an average of 312 Memorial Day weekend fatalities a year. The statistics are sobering, and drunk driving plays a significant role.
Memorial Day results in a long weekend that simply begs for families and friends to come together and hang out. While Memorial Day isn’t closely associated with long-distance trips, it does get a lot of people on the road for shorter hauls.
Drunk Drivers
The Insurance Information Institute reports that 40 percent of Memorial Day traffic fatalities between 2011 and 2015 involved alcohol impairment. When you add up the statistical facts, Memorial Day becomes a scary proposition for those hitting the road around Indianapolis. Drunk drivers often cause horrific accidents that lead to serious injuries, long-term recovery periods, emotional devastation, and extreme expense. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you need skilled legal counsel.
Driving Under the Influence
When you get behind, the wheel, you recognize that you’re taking on an enormous responsibility. When a person who’s under the influence of alcohol gets behind the wheel, that driver endangers everyone with whom he or she shares the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forwards two statistics that highlight exactly how dangerous drunk drivers can be:
- Almost a third of U.S. traffic fatalities in 2015 were alcohol related.
- Impaired drivers caused 16 percent of traffic fatalities of children in 2015.
If a Drunk Driver Leaves You Injured this Memorial Day, Consult with an Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney Today
Memorial Day weekend is a great time to enjoy outdoor family fun, but it comes equipped with dangerous roads that are caused by an uptick in drunk drivers. The dedicated personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Hurst Limontes LLC have the experience, commitment, and drive to aggressively advocate for the compensation to which you’re entitled. We’re here to help, so please schedule a free consultation today by contacting or calling us at (317) 636-0808.