Injured By A Drunk Driver on St. Patrick’s Day? We Can Help.

St. Patrick’s Day and other holidays typically mark an increase in traffic accidents, which can be associated with an increased number of vehicles on the roads as well as higher numbers of drunk drivers. Though Kansas City police increase patrols every St. Patrick’s Day, and did so this year starting on Friday night and lasting through the early hours of Tuesday morning, not all drunk drivers are caught and serious accidents may occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, on St. Patrick’s Day in 2010, 32% of traffic fatalities were associated with drunk driving. Law enforcement works to combat drunk driving by increasing patrols and implementing DUI checkpoints. This year, an overnight checkpoint in Kansas City resulted in 33 arrests. Nearly 600 drivers were stopped during the 5 hours in which the checkpoint was operational.

In spite of our best efforts to stop drunk driving before anyone is hurt, it is impossible for law enforcement to locate every drunk driver. If you were injured in an auto accident on St. Patrick’s Day and you believe the other driver was drinking, it is important to talk to an attorney about your legal options.

You may be facing costly medical bills and financial problems if you are unable to work. The best way to rebuild your life is to recover a fair settlement or award from the drunk driver or other at-fault party. A Kansas City car accident attorney at Wendt Law Firm P.C. may be just the person to help you. Our firm represents the injured in insurance litigation and personal injury lawsuits related to drunk driving, applying our experience to seek justice and maximum compensation.

Drinking and driving is an extremely dangerous practice. What is unfortunate is that, although the dangers of drunk driving are well-known, many drivers continue to get behind the wheel while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. In doing so, they place themselves and everyone in the area at risk. Alcohol and controlled substances impair judgment, delay reaction time and can affect motor skills and vision.

Of course St. Patrick’s Day is a time to have fun and spend time with friends and family, but we need to be smart about the choices we make. Designate a sober driver and do not let your friends drive drunk. If you notice a drunk driver on the road, report this to law enforcement so they can be stopped before they cause an accident.

Find out more about your legal rights and how a lawyer can help you by calling our offices for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout the Kansas City area and offer a free initial consultation to help you get the information you need to make the right choices about your case.