Now that summer is underway, Lithia Springs accident lawyers are seeing their fair share of accident victims. Not all of these accidents are the result of drunk driving. However, there are more fatal DUI crashes in the summer than any other time of year. The 4th of July seems to kick off the heightened season for drunk driving.
People go out to barbecues and parties and don’t think twice about drinking and driving. For some reason, people don’t see having a few beers in the backyard as dangerous as drinking at a bar or club. The truth is, between drunk drivers and extra motorists, you need to be more careful this time of year.
If you do happen to get into an accident, then you’re going to need help. There’s no way you can fight with the insurance company when you’re trying to recover from your injuries. You need to get to your doctor’s appointments and physical therapy. Let your Lithia Springs accident lawyer deal with the legal side of things while you get better. Here, we’ll talk about why the summer months are ripe with drunk driving accidents and what you can do to avoid getting hurt.
There Are a Lot of Parties and Barbecues in the Summer Months
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, people in Lithia Springs are enjoying time outdoors. They have parties and picnics. Whole families get together with friends to enjoy some time on the beach. When people are sitting around the bonfire on the beach, they tend to have a few cocktails. They don’t always think twice before getting behind the wheel. The problem is that these people are putting your life at risk. You need to be extra careful when you take to the road this summer.
Alcohol and the Heat is a Dangerous Combination
People tend to drink a bit more in the summer than other times of year. When they’re out on the beach, they get hot and pop open a beer or canned margarita to cool off. One beer leads to two and by the time they go home, they’re well over the legal limit. Studies have shown that drinking in the sun and heat can be extremely dangerous.
People tend to become uncoordinated a lot faster than they do in the cool weather. This means that people who are drinking and driving are probably more intoxicated than they think. You need to take extra steps to avoid these drivers in order to keep your family safe.
Keep a Safe Traveling Distance
The general rule is that you should always keep a safe distance of one car length per ten miles an hour. So, if you’re driving 65 miles per hour, you should try to keep about 6 or 7 car lengths between you and the person in front of you. This number should increase to about 2 car lengths per 10 miles if possible.
Of course, there will be timed when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic and don’t have this option. Just keep in mind- even in bumper-to-bumper traffic you can be hurt by a drunk driver. If this happens, then you need to talk to an experienced Lithia Springs accident lawyer.
Avoid Driving on Friday and Saturday Nights if Possible
The two nights of the week that there are more drunk drivers on the road are Fridays and Saturdays. In fact, most DUI crashes happen between midnight and 3 a.m. You’ll want to avoid being on the roads during these hours. There isn’t really anywhere you would need to be in the middle of the night.
If you do have to travel at these times, keep an eye out for possible drunk drivers. If you see a car weaving or driving without its headlights on, stay far away from them. The same is true for anybody who is driving way too slow. Drunk drivers tend to drive below the speed limit thinking they’re less likely to get pulled over that way.
Call Our Office and Speak to a Seasoned Lithia Springs Accident Lawyer
In July and August, Lithia Springs accident lawyers see an increase in the number of DUI crash victims they talk to. If you happen to get involved in this sort of accident, you should call and talk to an experienced Lithia Springs accident lawyer right away. Take advantage of your free, initial consultation and let a seasoned attorney review your case. The consultation is free so you have nothing to lose.
