All drivers in Pennsylvania have an obligation to be sober while operating motor vehicles. The White House has recognized December 2017 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to highlight the dangers of impaired driving. According to information published by the White House, over 10,000 people died in car crashes attributed to alcohol use in 2016. This figure represented 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths that year.
Last year marked the first increase in alcohol-related traffic deaths in 40 years. Decades earlier, nearly two-thirds of victims in car accidents had alcohol to blame. The White House press release stated that, as of 2012, 4.2 million American adults acknowledged driving at least once in a 30-day period after consuming alcohol.
In addition to reminding people to act responsibly and never drive while intoxicated, the press release expressed the White House’s commitment to encouraging safety through technology. The administration plans to support companies developing vehicle safety technology. There will also be more support for companies offering ride-hailing services that give people an alternative to drunk driving.
Driving while intoxicated or distracted is a negligent action that could cause car accidents. A person injured in a wreck might face financial hardships caused by medical bills and inability to work. Services from an attorney may help a person impeded by injury make an insurance claim or navigate the process of filing a lawsuit. An attorney might handle negotiations with an insurance adjuster and strive to win a settlement that accurately reflects damages. When necessary, an attorney may also be able to manage a jury trial and present evidence of negligence to justify the victim’s need for compensation.