Many residents of Northern Mississippi use the summer holidays, including Independence Day, to celebrate with family and friends. Of course, there is nothing illegal about most adults having a few drinks at these celebrations.
Sadly though, it seems that too many people do not drink responsibly over the Fourth of July and then choose to get behind the wheel. This holiday has a reputation for being a day where a number of people die or get seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents.
According to the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, between 2016 and 2020, 1,390 people died in motor vehicle accidents over the Fourth of July holidays. Of these, over 40% of drivers killed were themselves legally drunk.
Granted, these numbers do not break down how many people died because of another driver’s reckless behavior. However, they still show that drinking and driving is a serious and tragic problem on the nation’s roads.
Victims of holiday drunk drivers may be entitled to compensation
By now, any driver should realize that alcohol and motor vehicles simply do not mix. It is completely unacceptable to drive after having too much to drink.
If people have any doubt about their ability to drive after having a few drinks, they should find alternate transportation. After all, a person does not have to be legally drunk for alcohol to affect their ability to drive a car safely.
A person who was a victim of a holiday drunk driver has legal options. They may be able to recover compensation for their lost wages and for their medical bills as well as other out-of-pocket expenses. They could recover for pain and suffering and other non-economic losses as well.