Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident? A Guide to Liability in Ohio
Posted in: Car Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
Despite the fact that drinking and driving is against the law in every state, thousands of people choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, putting countless lives at risk. Unfortunately, thousands of people are killed by drunk drivers every year. Learn more facts about alcohol-related car accidents.
Serious and Fatal Alcohol-related Car Accidents in Ohio and Beyond
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 10,322 people killed in alcohol-related crashes (BAC .01 or above) in 2012 alone. In the state of Ohio, there were 430 people in alcohol-related accidents in 2012, according to the NHTSA.
This accounted for more than one-third of all fatal car accidents in 2012. There were 385 fatal accidents in Ohio that involved drunk driving (BAC .08 or above). While drinking and driving accidents don’t always result in fatalities, they do often cause property damage and physical injuries.
When a person is involved in an accident involving a drunk driver, there are many different ways to be hurt.
Groups Most Commonly Affected by Drinking and Driving
According to the NHTSA, 32 percent of drivers between 21 and 24 who were involved in fatal accidents were drunk at the time of the crash (BAC .08 or higher). The next highest percentage was 29 percent in the 25 to 34 age group, followed by 25 percent of the 35 to 44 age group. Eighteen percent of teen drivers between 16 and 20 who were involved in fatal crashes were drunk at the time of the accident.
Regardless of age, males were much more likely to be impaired at the time of a fatal accident than were females. Twenty-four percent of male drivers involved in fatal crashes had a BAC of .08 or higher, while 14 percent of female drivers involved in fatal accidents had a BAC of .08 or higher.
Finally, the type of vehicle involved also played a role. Twenty-seven percent of motorcyclists who were involved in fatal accidents were drunk. Meanwhile, 23 percent of passenger car drivers involved in fatal crashes were drunk, and 22 percent of drivers of light trucks were drunk. Only two percent of large truck drivers in fatal accidents were drunk.
Speak with an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer at KNR Today!
There are few things more traumatizing than being involved in an alcohol-related car accident or losing a loved one in a preventable accident. If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries. Filing a lawsuit allows you to hold the drunk driver responsible for their actions and the damages you suffered.
Your civil claim against a drunk driver will be separate from any criminal charges the drunk driver faces. You also have a lower burden of proof to establish that an impaired driver is responsible for your accident, compared to the prosecutors who must prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our attorneys understand the challenges injured parties face after an accident caused by an alcohol-impaired driver. As such, we’ll work to make sure you get the money to which you are entitled and advocate for your rights as a victim of an alcohol-related car accident.
To get started fighting for your rights today, call us now at 1-800-HURT-NOW to work on filing your claim. You can also get in touch with us via our online contact form.