The Reality of Drunk Driving: A Death Every 42 Minutes
Drunk driving crashes aren’t just 2-minute stories on the evening news; they’re a terrifying reality that leaves far too many families broken, finances ruined, and physical health shattered.
When a driver is impaired, their reaction time slows significantly. A sober driver might see a red light and brake instantly; an impaired driver might not process the signal until they are already in the intersection. Alcohol also distorts visual perception and coordination, leading drivers to drift out of their lanes, misjudge the distance of oncoming traffic, or fail to see pedestrians.
Perhaps most dangerously, alcohol creates a false sense of confidence, which may encourage a driver to take risks—like speeding or aggressive passing—that they would never attempt while sober.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 12,429 people died in alcohol-related crashes in the United States during 2023 alone. That translates to one person dying in a drunk-driving crash every 45 minutes. This reality hits close to home:
- Arkansas:Â In 2023, 26% of all traffic fatalities reported in Arkansas were alcohol-related.
- Missouri:Â 29% of the crash deaths reported in Missouri that year involved a drunk driver.
- Oklahoma:Â Alcohol consumption contributed to 29% of the crash deaths reported in Oklahoma for 2023.
Drunk driving tragedies are entirely preventable. When someone chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired and causes a crash, they must be held accountable for the devastation they leave in their wake.
Beyond the Drunk Driver: Who Else Might Be Responsible?
In a drunk driving wreck, the intoxicated driver is the most obvious party at fault. However, many states have implemented laws that allow victims of impaired drivers to hold other parties accountable in certain circumstances.
Under the Arkansas “dram shop law,” for example, bars and other establishments can be held liable for drunk driving crashes when they “reasonably should have known such purchaser was a minor,” or a “retailer knowingly sold alcoholic beverages to a person who was clearly intoxicated at the time of such sale or sold under circumstances where the retailer reasonably should have known the person was clearly intoxicated.”
Under the same law, Arkansas only holds a social host liable if alcoholic beverages are served to an underage person.
In addition to the drunk driver, alcohol vendors, and social hosts, specific circumstances may expose other parties to liability in the event of a crash, including:
- Vehicle Owners:Â If an owner knowingly entrusted their vehicle to an intoxicated person or a driver with a dangerous history, they may be held liable for negligent entrustment.
- Employers:Â If the drunk driver was operating a company vehicle or on duty when they crashed, their employer may be held liable for the driver in certain circumstances.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If defective components—such as faulty brakes or a failed steering system—contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be held accountable.
In Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, “comparative fault” laws govern how accountability is assigned when multiple parties share responsibility for a collision. Under these rules, investigators examine the actions of everyone involved to determine their specific contribution to the wreck. Any party found liable must pay a portion of the damages that matches their percentage of fault.
This also applies to victims. For example, if the victim of a drunk driver is found to have contributed to the crash—such as by failing to yield—the total compensation awarded to them or their family will be reduced by their assigned percentage of fault, according to the applicable state laws.
Insurance companies often attempt to exploit comparative fault laws to minimize payouts and protect their profits. If they try this in your case, our Arkansas car accident attorneys will fight fiercely to ensure blame isn’t unfairly shifted to you or your loved one.
How Our Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Your fight is our fight. With bulldog-like determination, our Arkansas car accident lawyers will dig deep to build the strongest possible case on your behalf, standing up to any insurance company or entity working to deny you and your family the compensation you truly deserve:
- Comprehensive Investigation:Â We go beyond the police report. We subpoena toxicology reports, interview witnesses, and look into the driver’s history. We also investigate whether a bar, restaurant, or host contributed to the crash by serving a minor or over-serving an obviously intoxicated patron.
- Handling the Insurance Companies:Â We handle all communication with the insurers, so you and your family can focus on healing. We’re deeply familiar with their tactics and how to counter them, so you won’t have to worry about being pressured into a settlement that doesn’t fully cover both your current and long-term needs.
- Calculating Damages:Â We work with medical and financial experts to determine the full extent of your losses, including future medical bills, lost earning capacity, and the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have endured.
- Pursuing Punitive Damages:Â In drunk-driving cases, a jury may award punitive damages to punish the driver and deter others from engaging in the same reckless conduct. If your case warrants it, we will aggressively pursue the maximum punitive damages permitted by law.
Our Arkansas attorneys will be fully prepared to take your case to court if our opponents refuse a fair settlement. Because we have a proven record of success and the resources to fight for the maximum compensation possible, the mere threat of court is often enough to convince the insurance company to act in good faith.
Our Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers Hold Drunk Drivers Accountable
You shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s reckless decision to drive drunk. Our Arkansas car accident attorneys are ready to stand with you in your fight for accountability.
Contact Caddell Reynolds Law Firm today at 800-671-4100 or online to schedule your free, confidential consultation. We’re here 24/7 to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you understand exactly what it will take to win your case.
