America’s birthday is a time for fireworks, BBQs, and the celebration of our freedom. Unfortunately, the 4th of July is also known for increased traffic accidents. According to the NHTSA, 1,460 lives were lost in 4th of July motor vehicle accidents from 2017-2021 alone. Of those deaths, 38% of the drivers were intoxicated.

Drunk driving is the number one cause of car accidents during the Independence Day holiday period. In fact, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 6 traffic accident deaths, 107 personal injuries, and 285 crashes that occurred from Friday, July 1st – Monday, July 4th, 2022. That’s not all that was reported from last year’s 4th of July weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also reported that they made 141 DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) arrests.

“Buzzed” Driving

Why are there so many drunk driving accidents on the 4th of July? During this holiday, drinking is often a large part of the celebration. While most people know that driving under the influence is incredibly dangerous, there is also a common misconception that driving “buzzed” is not drunk driving, and is safe.

The information below is from a chart created by the NHTSA, and makes it clear that “buzzed” driving is still dangerous.

  • A driver with a BAC of only .02 will typically experience some loss of judgment, and lose the ability to complete two tasks simultaneously. (For example, braking while steering.)
  • BAC of .05 will typically cause the driver to have slowed reactions to emergency driving situations, have difficulty steering, poor coordination, and to be incapable of visually tracking moving objects.
  • A driver who has reached the legal limit, BAC .08, loses muscle coordination, concentration, and the ability to detect danger. The driver typically also experiences short-term memory loss, impaired perception, and a reduced ability to process sensory information.
  • At .10 BAC, a driver has an even slower reaction time, poor reaction control, the inability to maintain lane position, and the inability to brake appropriately.
  • A driver with a BAC of .15 typically experiences a major loss of balance, and increased severity of the effects listed above.
  • Don’t take a chance on Independence Day. Sort out a designated driver or plan to stay where you are for the night.

Common Drunk Driving Injuries

If you’ve been hit by a driver under the influence, you’re going to need financial compensation to cover the costs of your personal injuries. Common injuries from drunk driving accidents are expensive, and you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistake. Below are just a few examples of these injuries.

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries.
  • Neck Injuries.
  • Broken bones.
  • Contusions and lacerations.
  • Internal bleeding.
  • Eye damage.

These car accident injuries require surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, medical equipment, and other costly treatments. That’s why it’s vital to have a skilled car accident lawyer in your corner to fight for the settlement you need.

If You Get in an Accident…

If you get in an accident with a drunk driver during the 4th of July holiday period, or any other time for that matter, you know who to call. We’ll fight diligently for the compensation you deserve to cover the expenses of your personal injuries. Contact us as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation where you will receive free legal advice from an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney near you.