Drunk driving accidents after the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl on Sunday will mark the end of another football season, but did you know that it will also mark the end of the busiest time of the year for drunk driving accidents?

An inordinate about of DUI auto accidents occur between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday.  And a large number of these are drunk driving accidents after the Super Bowl.

There are likely several causes behind this:

• First, inclement weather throughout much of the country during the winter months makes for more hazardous driving conditions.
• Second, more people drink during the holidays as they attend gatherings with family and friends.
• Third, there is a significant increase in the number of people on the roadways during the holiday season. For instance, an estimated 97 million Americans take to the roads between December 23 and January 1st alone.
• Finally, trips to see friends and family during the holidays are typically longer trips. Longer trips increase the risk of driver fatigue which can contribute to an increased number of accidents.

All of these factors together make for a dangerous mix.  Together, they contribute to an estimated 25,000 drunk driving accidents resulting in injuries that occur between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

Incredibly, the number of drinking violations by repeat drunk drivers jumps an average of 22% on Super Bowl Sunday. This in turn leads to a large number of drunk driving accidents after the Superbowl

In addition to strict penalties for those caught driving while intoxicated, most states have enacted dram shop laws.  Dram shop laws are a body of laws that provide a legal cause of action against the owner of a tavern, pub, restaurant or other establishment that provided alcohol to someone that caused an injury or damages.

Dram shop laws differ from state-to-state as to whether a cause of action can be brought against a social host.  Therefore, if you are planning on hosting a Super Bowl party and serving alcohol to your guests, you may want to keep in mind that if one of your guests is involved in a DUI accident on his or her way home, you may potentially be held liable for any resulting injuries.

Bar and restaurant owners also need to exercise due care to ensure that their patrons drink responsibly.

A Safe Super Bowl Sunday

The Super Bowl has become a national holiday.  Friends and family gather to enjoy the game, consuming high-calorie snacks, which they wash down with plenty of alcohol.

If you are one of those that plan on hitting the roadways this coming Sunday, the best way to avoid the increased probability of a drunk driving accident after the Superbowl is to avoid driving while intoxicated altogether.

Some simple planning can go a long way in reducing your risk of being involved in a DUI accident:

• Secure a reliable means of travel prior to the game.
• If you are not planning on consuming alcohol, exercise increased caution on the roadways as there is likely to be a higher frequency of drunk drivers on the road following the game.
• And remember, Uber and Lyft are the perfect solution to driving drunk.

The Chicago Legal Group can help victims of drunk driving accidents obtain compensation to cover their medical expenses or other costs related to an accident.  In you or anyone you know is a victim of a DUI accident, please contact our office today for a free consultation.

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