Impaired drivers can be found every day on roads across the United States. Sadly, Connecticut is not immune to this issue. As a result, drunk driving accidents occur rather frequently, leaving victims or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members with numerous challenges to overcome.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Statistics, three people are killed in alcohol-related collisions approximately every two hours. This results in thousands of deaths annually due to impaired drivers. Any number is considered too great when it comes to fatal drunk driving accidents. With the number of adults who have reported driving while intoxicated — 4 million in 2010 — it is amazing that the number of fatalities is not higher.
Connecticut and other states are constantly working on ways to reduce drunk driving incidents. Zero Tolerance Laws have been put in place, public education campaigns frequently occur and sobriety checkpoints are often set up, all of which help reduce the number of DUI-related accidents. Unfortunately, this is still very much a state and national problem.
Those in Connecticut who have been negatively affected by drunk driving accidents, either as victims or family members of fatal victims, may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses. Personal injury, wrongful death or any other appropriate legal claims may be filed against the driver/s deemed responsible and, possibly, against alcohol-serving establishments — if applicable. Such claims, if handled successfully in civil court, may be awarded monetary judgments for any and all recoverable damages.
Source: rita.dot.gov, “Drunk Driving by the Numbers“, Matthew Chambers, Mindy Liu, Chip Moore, Accessed on June 7, 2016
