Drunk drivers are responsible for nearly one-third of the nation’s fatal traffic collisions, claiming more than 10,000 lives each year.

Super Bowl LVI, between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, falls later in February this year and will be quickly followed by the start of Spring Break in Southwest Florida. Our drunk driving injury attorneys urge you to take the risks seriously. Have a plan to keep you and your friends safe. Never drink after consuming any amount of alcohol or other mind-altering substance.

Tips for a Safer Super Bowl Sunday

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following safety tips:

Know the Rules: The nationwide limit is .08, which is roughly two drinks for most adults. However, any amount of alcohol can impair driving ability and you can and will be held responsible for a collision even if you are below the legal limit. The NHTSA reminds motorists that, even without a crash, the average cost of a DUI is more than $10,000.

Play It Safe: Have a plan for a sober ride. There is never an excuse to drive intoxicated. Use a designated driver or ride-sharing service, or plan to spend the night.

Be a Party MVP: Offer to be a designated driver and be proactive when it comes to keeping friends and family members off the road after drinking or taking other mind-altering substances.

Be the Head Coach When Hosting: Be a responsible party host. Offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Make sure everyone has a travel plan before the party starts. Stop serving alcohol well before the end of the game.

Drunk Driving Injury Claims

Personal injury and wrongful death claims involving drunk drivers are among the most tragic cases handled by our car accident attorneys in Fort Myers and Cape Coral. For more than 50 years, we have supported Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other organizations dedicated to eliminating these senseless tragedies. And we continue to support law enforcement efforts, including DUI checkpoints and enforcement blitzes.

An injury claim consists of proving four primary elements: Duty of care, breach of duty, causation and damages. Each of us owes a duty of care to operate our motor vehicles in a safe manner. When an at-fault driver is determined to have been operating a vehicle under the influence, he or she has breached that duty. When that breach results in a serious or fatal traffic collision, the only element left to prove is the extent of the damage award.

Conversely, when a victim is found to have alcohol in his or her system, that can also impact their ability to collect damages. Florida’s laws on comparative negligence means a victim’s damage award can be reduced by degree of fault.

Consulting with an experienced law firm as soon as possible after a collision is the best course of action. Today, marijuana and prescription and illegal narcotics are involved in an increasing number of crashes. While it can be more difficult to determine when a motorist is under the influence of a substance other than alcohol, the sooner you have a law firm on your side, the more likely the chances that all of the factors of causation will be uncovered.

If you or a loved one is injured, call Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, at 1-800-646-1210.