As people across Harris County prepare for the holiday season, many are still expected to gather and drink a few alcoholic beverages to mark the occasion, despite the pandemic. This time of year is also, unfortunately, very busy when it comes to Houston drunk driving accidents. These accidents can be tragic with life-altering injuries.
If you or a loved one are hurt by a drunk driver in or around Houston, contact the local car accident attorneys at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. We have decades of experience in these accidents and getting people like you everything they deserve.
We know the suffering caused by drunk driving accidents, especially over the holidays. We’re happy to set up a free consultation to review your situation and how we can help. Call (281) 283-8500 or contact us online.
Alcohol Consumption During the Holidays
Attending holiday parties and having time off from work leads to more alcohol consumption and is a big reason there is an increase in drunk driving at this time of year. While many will stay home due to COVID 19 this year, 50% of people say that alcohol plays a role in their family’s festivities and 16% of adults say they drink more than usual during the holiday season.
Despite efforts by states and the federal government to crack down on drunk driving during the holiday season, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that people are nearly three times more likely to die in alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Eve.
Holiday Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
An alarming 40% of highway deaths during the holiday season are alcohol-related compared to just 29% the rest of the year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Here are some sobering statistics from the NHTSA, Safe Auto, and the Texas Department of Transportation about the prevalence of drunk driving accidents during the holiday season:
- Every year, 1,200 people are killed and another 25,000 are injured in alcohol-related accidents during the holiday season.
- DUI violations increase by 31% on Thanksgiving Day, 48% on Christmas Eve, and 106% on New Year’s Eve.
- The 12-hour window from 6 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1 has approximately 71% more alcohol or drug-related crashes than the average weekend night.
Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Being involved in a drunk driving accident can result in serious, if not fatal, injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severed limbs
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Sprains and torn ligaments
- Disfiguring lacerations
- Polytrauma
Driving under the influence of alcohol is also a crime. In fact, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 triples the risk of an accident. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident involving a drunk driver, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact Our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., our experienced Houston car accident lawyers have decades of experience helping drunk driving victims obtain the compensation they deserve. We will be by your side every step of the way, from investigation to trial — and will fight for the maximum compensation possible in your case. Our proven track record includes some of the most significant recoveries and verdicts in Texas personal injury practice.
Contact us today at (281) 283-8500 to schedule a free, no-risk case consultation with one of our skilled Houston personal injury lawyers.