Happy 2019 from Aronfeld Trial Lawyers! We have a very important safety warning for you: keep your kids and any of your loved ones off the roads on New Year’s Eve after midnight and until the following morning. Here’s why: compared to an average Saturday night, the 12-hour window between 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1 has 71% more crashes where alcohol or drugs are listed as a contributing factor.
New Year’s Eve is the most dangerous time to be on the road for anyone driving or even walking because nearly half of all fatal New Year’s Day car crashes involve drunk drivers, according to statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control.
Florida Statute §319.193 defines “Driving Under the Influence (DUI)” as anyone who is driving under the influence of alcohol, chemical, controlled substances or who has a blood or breath alcohol level of .08 or above.
The combination of drinking and driving and late-night celebrations make New Year’s Eve the worst day of the year for deadly crashes involving drunk drivers. And it is not much safer for pedestrians; as New Year’s Eve is also the deadliest day to simply cross the street. In the United States, traffic crashes are still the leading cause of death for ages 1 through 34 years.
At Aronfeld Trial Lawyers we want you to ring in the New Year safely! Your trusted Miami auto accident lawyers have some important tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and to avoid New Year’s Day car crashes.
1. Wear Your Seatbelt. One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. In 2016, seatbelts saved an estimated 14,668 lives in passenger vehicles.
2. Properly secure your children. Make sure children are always properly buckled in the back seat. Age and size appropriate car seats reduce serious and fatal injuries to children by half.
3. Obey speed limits. Speeding is 100% preventable and is a contributing factor in many fatal car accidents.
4. Drive distraction free. Distractions not only involve texting and driving, but anything that takes your focus off the road for even a second (i.e. – cell phone use, adjusting the radio or GPS device, eating and drinking, personal grooming, talking to passengers, tending to small children or pets, reading, watching a video, etc.)
5. Do not drink and drive. According to statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2016, 781 individuals in the U.S. were killed due to drunk driving over the holidays. Even just one or two drinks can be what it takes to cause a driver to lose the ability to react appropriately while driving. A small amount of alcohol can impair important skills that are needed to drive safety, including the ability to react quickly, clear vision, concentration and judgment. Driving under the influence does not just involve alcohol use. Prescription drug use behind the wheel can also result in a DUI. Read the warning labels on your prescriptions and always have a designated driver in place.
INVOLVED IN A DRUNK DRIVING RELATED ACCIDENT ON NEW YEAR’S EVE? HELP IS HERE.
Our firm regularly represents victims involved in drunk driving accidents and clients who have been injured due to the poor decision-making of an intoxicated driver who chooses to get behind the wheel. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida, it is very important to consult with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney immediately. Spencer Aronfeld is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, and he and the lawyers at Aronfeld Trial Lawyers understand Florida’s complex personal injury laws. Since 1991 we have fought hard to protect the legal rights of the injured and their families. Contact us today and speak with an experienced attorney toll free at 1-866-597-4529, local 305-441-0440, or by email. We offer a free initial consultation at your home, office, hotel or hospital.
