Motorcycle Accidents and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination
Drunk driving is a serious problem. This behavior leads to hundreds of deaths and life-altering injuries each year. Intoxicated drivers are a threat to everyone on the roads. However, the risks are especially high for motorcyclists. Cyclists have less protection. Therefore, motorcycle accidents are usually serious. Injuries can be fatal. Alcohol can compound the problem, turning what would have been a minor collision into a major tragedy. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident involving a drunk driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn more about motorcycle accidents and alcohol, contact our Daytona Beach practice today.
How Is Drunk Driving Defined?
Anyone with a blood-alcohol content level of 0.08 percent or above is considered intoxicated. This holds true even if their driving is not impaired. Despite this prohibition, intoxicated drivers continue to venture out on the roads. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD):
- On average, someone is injured in a drunk driving accident every two minutes.
- Someone dies in an alcohol-related accident every 53 minutes.
- An average of 28 people die every day as a result of drunk driving.
- In 2013, there were 10,076 drunk driving fatalities and 290,000 injuries.
- Two out of every three U.S. drivers will be involved in an alcohol-related accident in their lifetimes.
- Drunk driving costs the country $199 billion each year - or $800 for each adult.
The Serious Nature of Motorcycle Accidents
The statistics listed above refer to all drunk driving accidents. However, when one of the drivers is on a motorcycle, the chance of injury or death rises significantly. According to the Insurance Information Institute in 2012, motorcyclists were five times more likely to be injured in a crash than someone in a car. Cyclists were 26 times more likely to be killed.
Increased Risks for Motorcyclists in the Daytona Beach Area
Drunk driving is a national problem. Nevertheless, it is especially a concern for residents of the Daytona Beach area. As a popular destination for college students, drunk driving spikes during spring break and other times of the year. In addition, Daytona Beach is an important hub for motorcyclists. Each year, over 500,000 cyclists meet in the area during Daytona Bike Week. With this combination of events, it is important for all drivers to be extra cautious and courteous.
Have You Been Injured in an Alcohol-Related Accident?
If you have been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You should contact an attorney soon after the incident. With swift action, you are more likely to receive the full amount you deserve. Our team will analyze all aspects of the accident. They will take a close look at police records involving the other driver’s BAC level. With these records, it is typically easy to prove liability. However, even in more complex cases, our attorneys will fight tirelessly to uncover the truth so you can obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact Chanfrau & Chanfrau
Learn more about your legal rights following a motorcycle accident. Contact our office for compassionate, yet hard-hitting, legal representation.