Fatalities resulting from impaired driving

On Behalf of Hullverson Law Firm   |   Feb 6, 2015   |   Car Accidents

Nearly 30 people die in auto accidents involving impaired driving every day, which is the equivalent of one death per 51 minutes. There were 10,322 people killed in 2012 crashes that involved blood alcohol concentrations of at least .08 percent, accounting for 31 percent of all traffic fatalities in the country. Of these deaths, 280 occurred in Missouri, accounting for 34 percent of all state-related accident fatalities.

Across the United States, there were 33,561 auto accident deaths in 2012. Among the 10,322 deaths involving a BAC of at least .08 percent, 7,251 involved intoxication levels of at least .15 percent, accounting for 22 percent of all crash deaths.

There were 1,168 children under the age of 14 who were killed in 2012 collisions, and 20 percent involved impaired drivers. Of these alcohol-related child crash fatalities, 124 were riding in the impaired drivers’ vehicles.

In Missouri, a total of 826 people died in 2012 accidents. Of these, 326 involved BACs of at least .01 percent, accounting for about 40 percent of all crash fatalities. While 280 involved BACs of at least .08 percent, 196 involved BACs of at least .15 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides drivers and passengers with tips on how to avoid impaired driving. Groups who plan to drink while they are out and about could appoint a sober driver among them. Party hosts who serve alcohol are urged to remind their guests to plan ahead with the designation of a non-drinking driver and ensure that all of their guests do not get in vehicles with drivers who have been drinking.

An individual’s sudden death in an alcohol-related accident may cause financial and emotional distress for the survivors. If any of the family members were also involved in the crash, they may face additional troubles for injuries sustained. If negligence contributed to the collision, they might be entitled to compensation.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, “Traffic Safety Facts,” Accessed on Feb. 6, 2015