Drunk driving accidents are a leading cause of roadway fatalities each year in California. Preventing these types of incidents is a priority, but individuals can only prevent these accidents so far as it concerns their own actions. Here, we want to discuss the best preventative methods for avoiding drunk driving collisions on the roadways.
Calling a Rideshare
If you are trying to prevent drunk driving accidents from occurring with you and your family or friends, one of the best things that you can do is monitor everyone continuously. If you or your loved ones have been drinking, your best bet is not to drive anywhere. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are everywhere. Opening up the phone and pressing a button will save your life.
Have a Designated Driver
In many cases, individuals know if they will be drinking when they go out. If that is the case, it is always possible to ask someone to act as the designated driver for the day. There may be one friend or family member who volunteers to be the designated driver, but another way could be to rotate who acts as the designated driver. Whatever arrangement you work out, having a designated driver can be a great idea because everyone can get back home and have their respective vehicles with them the next day.
Contact Law Enforcement
If you are on the roadway and come across a driver that seems to be impaired by alcohol or another substance, do not try to confront the other driver or force them to stop. The best thing that you can do is to dial 911, put the phone through a hands-free device or speakerphone, keep a decent distance away from the alleged drunk driver, and explain to the dispatcher what is happening.
Try to tell the dispatcher what you have seen the driver do to make you suspect that they are impaired. Let the dispatcher know the make, model, and color of the vehicle, and give them a description of the driver if possible. Tell them which direction the vehicle is going. Do not try to “play the hero” in these situations and stop the driver yourself. That will only put yourself and others at risk of harm.
What if You Get Into an Accident?
If you or somebody you know has been injured due to the actions of a drunk driver, you need to reach out to an Santa Ana injury lawyer as soon as possible. Victims in these circumstances may be able to recover a variety of types of compensation. Drunk drivers should be held responsible for their actions, and this includes paying compensation to those they cause harm.
It is not uncommon for drunk driving accident victims to recover a range of compensation, including coverage of medical expenses, lost wages, property damage expenses, rental car expenses, as well as various types of pain and suffering damages.
A skilled drunk driving accident lawyer can help investigate the incident, gather the evidence necessary to prove liability, and handle all communication with other parties.
