Introduction
When you drink and drive, you put yourself and everyone around you at serious risk. The drunk driving laws in many states are strict, and the penalties can leave an individual with life-changing consequences.
Consequences of a Drunk Driver Accident
1. You Could be Charged with a DUI
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can have serious consequences. In addition to facing fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges, you may also be charged with a DUI, resulting in additional penalties, including mandatory alcohol treatment.
2. A Drunk Driving Accident Can Result in Severe Injuries and Even Death
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 1 in 3 crash victims in alcohol-related crashes are people other than the drunk driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that drunk driving accidents result in around 10,000 deaths and nearly 1 million injuries.
A drunk driving accident can be catastrophic for both victims and their families. Driving while intoxicated can result in serious criminal charges, including vehicular homicide or murder. Victims may be forced to pay out-of-pocket expenses for medical care, lost wages, funeral costs, and other damages resulting from the incident.
3. Insurance Rates Can Increase After an Accident
One of the most severe consequences of a drunk driving accident is that your insurance rates will increase. You will be required to pay higher premiums if you have an accident while under alcohol or drugs.
Insurance companies are required to consider several factors in calculating your premium, including your driving record and how many years you’ve been driving without an accident. If you have no previous accidents on your record, you may qualify for a discount on your policy to prove that you have taken steps to reduce the risk of getting in an accident.
4. License Revocation
The most severe consequence of a drunk driving accident is license revocation. If you have been convicted of driving under the influence, your license can be revoked for one year.
5. Vehicle Damage Repair Costs
Vehicle damage repair costs are the most obvious cost for drunk driving accidents. In addition to repairing or replacing your vehicle, you may also incur additional expenses if the accident results in a traffic violation or if you were involved in an injury accident.
In some cases, these costs can be high. A 2015 study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance found that the average price of a DUI-related car accident was $9,500. That’s almost twice as much as a typical collision claim.
This is because drunk drivers tend to cause more damage than sober drivers do in crashes—and they’re more likely to hit things like guardrails and trees. As a result, they’re more likely to need expensive repairs that require custom parts and replacement panels. They’re also more likely to injure themselves and others in the crash, which means more medical bills for everyone involved.
Conclusion
A drunk driving accident can result in personal injury, trauma, and even death. It is 0.78 times more likely to involve a fatality than a crash involving a sober driver.