Drunk driving collisions are notorious for causing devastating injuries. The exact injuries involved depend on many factors, ranging from the angle at which the vehicles collide to the age and underlying health of the people involved in the wreck.
Severe fractures, brain injuries, amputations and spinal cord injuries are among the worst crash injuries people may acquire. Some of the most devastating crashes are the result of drunk drivers. Their erratic conduct in traffic can have life-altering consequences for other people.
One of the reasons that drunk driving collisions often seem so unfair is that the impaired motorist may not sustain injuries as severe as the other people involved in the wreck. In fact, they may walk away with nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises. Why are the consequences of drunk driving crashes often so imbalanced?
Drunk drivers don’t notice the risk
Impaired motorists have significantly reduced observational skills. They also have longer reaction times and compromised decision-making capabilities. A drunk motorist is unlikely to react assertively when a collision is imminent, while the people in the other vehicle, unfortunately, are likely to see the crash coming and respond.
People innately brace themselves when they expect a crash to occur. Medical research has shown that attempts to brace before a crash have a tendency to increase the severity of traumatic injuries. People who may have just developed whiplash could end up with serious fractures because they try to brace with their arms or legs. Even the strongest person does not have the strength to keep themselves still when a collision occurs.
When drunk drivers cause crashes, the sober people involved in the wreck often have far more serious consequences than the impaired motorist who broke the law. The injured people affected by the collision may have the right to take action. There may be insurance coverage available that can help offset the costs of a collision. If injuries are severe and insurance coverage is low or a driver lacks coverage, then a lawsuit might be necessary.
Those harmed by drunk driving may need support as they evaluate their options. Discussing what led to a drunk driving crash with a skilled legal team could help people hold people accountable for breaking the law and endangering others with unsafe, selfish behavior.