Even a single drink can lead to a fatal drunk driving crash

It is a sad fact that each day nearly 30 individuals in the United States lose their life in a drunk driving accident. And, given that the time between the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday season is a prime time for drunk driving accidents, it is possible that some people in Washington State may have been added to this grim statistic. The following is a brief overview of how even a BAC below the legal limit can affect a person’s driving ability.

A BAC of 0.05

If you have a BAC of 0.05, you may have had a few drinks, but you are still below the legal limit. Does this mean you can drive safely? Probably not. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person with a BAC of 0.05 may experience a reduction in their coordination and ability to track moving objects. They may find steering their vehicle becomes more difficult. They may also experience a reduction in their ability to respond to emergency driving situations. It is easy to see how these affects could impair one’s driving abilities, potentially leading to a motor vehicle accident.

A BAC of 0.02

If you have a BAC of 0.02, you may have only had one drink. Does this mean you are safe to drive? Sadly, perhaps not. A person with a BAC of 0.02 may find that their ability to rapidly track moving objects and their ability to do more than one task at a time is reduced. As this shows, even one drink could potentially impair a person leading to an auto accident.

Did you lose a loved one in a crash caused by a drunk driver?

Ultimately, drunk driving breaches a motorist’s duty of care. Motorists have a legal duty to drive safely under the circumstances. If they breach this duty, for example, by drunk driving, and this breach causes another person to suffer injuries or a fatality, the drunk driver may be liable for the crash. This post does not provide legal advice, so those in Seattle who lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash may want to consult with personal injury attorney so they can make informed decisions moving forward.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matt Dubin has spent more than 20 years honing his skills as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the State of Washington. In his career, Matt has focused on protecting consumers from dangerous household products, medical mistakes, roadway accidents, and many other causes of injury. Matt has recovered nearly $20 million on behalf of his clients.

Education

• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

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