Texas Accident & Injury News
Drunk driving has steep consequences.
Suspected Drunk Driver Charged After Causing Rollover Accident on Loop 1604 Last Night
According to a KSAT News report, a man was seriously injured, and another was arrested after a rollover accident last night.
Police reported the accident happened just before midnight on Wednesday, December 11th, on Loop 1604 near Bulverde on the North Side of San Antonio. Two vehicles were traveling eastbound when one crossed the center line, striking the other vehicle. The impact caused the second vehicle to roll over into the median, and the 33-year-old driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. The 61-year-old man in the first vehicle was treated for minor injuries and was then arrested for intoxication assault after being released from a separate hospital. Both sides of the highway were closed since one of the vehicles ended up on the other side, but it reopened early Thursday morning. The investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
4.01% of DUI crashes in Texas in 2023 were fatal, compared to only 0.69% for all other accident types.
Why Are DUI Accidents Usually More Severe?
It’s a well-documented fact that drunk driving accidents are usually more severe and more likely to end in a fatality than other accident types.
Drunk driving increases significantly during the holiday season between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. Greater numbers of people choose to get behind the wheel after drinking despite the severe risks that follow, and San Antonio has some of the highest DUI rates in the nation.
But why does drinking increase the severity of an auto accident? Let’s take a look.
Factors That Increase the Severity of DUI Accidents
According to the NHTSA, the effects of alcohol impairment, even below the legal limit, can significantly increase the severity of an accident.
- Reduced Reaction Time: Even at a BAC of just 0.05%, a person’s reaction time decreases. Especially since most drunk drivers drive at night, quick reaction times are critical to avoid accidents during limited visibility.
- Impaired Judgement: At a BAC of only 0.02%, a person will experience judgment impairment. This means the ability to think clearly, reason, and make smart decisions. This ability is critical at all times when driving.
- Reduced Concentration: At a BAC of 0.08%, a person loses their ability to concentrate on multiple tasks (i.e., speed control, lane departure, other vehicles, pedestrians). One cannot drive safely without the ability to do this.
- Comprehension: A person loses their ability to thoroughly process information with a BAC of 0.08%. This means reduced or no ability to read traffic signs or comprehend traffic signals. This also impairs the driver’s ability to properly judge distances.
If a driver’s reaction time is slowed, they won’t stop in time for pedestrians crossing the road, even if they see them, which is unlikely. They can’t read traffic signs to know they’re going the wrong way or even comprehend that they blew a red light. They can’t focus on controlling their speed and staying in their lane at the same time, nor can they judge the distance between them and the car in front of them.
It’s easy to see why accidents with drunk drivers are often so severe.
There is no excuse for drunk driving in 2024. If you were injured or lost a loved one to a drunk driver in San Antonio, you may be entitled to compensation.
Related:
How to Avoid Drunk Driving Over the Holiday Season.
Injured or Lost a Loved One to a Drunk Driver in San Antonio? Call Shaw!
You may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Surgeries,
- Medical Bills,
- Missed Work,
- Loss of Earning Capacity,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw for immediate assistance at 800-862-1260 today. You can talk to a Carabin Shaw car accident attorney about your case for free, with no obligation to hire the firm. No fees, no obligations, just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in Texas for over 31 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.