Tragic Number of Drunk Driving Fatalities Reported Throughout Virginia

At Wind Law, LLC, our Richmond car accident attorney knows drunk driving is a significant factor in fatal crashes nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. Last year alone, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from the previous year.

Much closer to home, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, on average, one person was killed, 11 people were injured, and 19 crashes occurred, which were all alcohol-related, every day in Virginia last year. In total, 27% of all traffic fatalities were alcohol-related, accounting for 274 of the 1,005 deaths.

These deaths left no age group unharmed. On average, around 20 drivers and passengers between the ages of 16 and 20 are killed in alcohol-related accidents each year in Virginia, and over 400 are injured.

Each of these accidents, injuries, and fatalities was preventable and left hundreds of families reeling from the emotional fallout of losing their loved ones. While we know nothing can bring your loved one back, you can pursue the impaired driver for justice. We can help.

What is Considered “Drunk Driving” in Virginia?

All drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI). Last year, 14,247 people were convicted of DUI in Virginia.

Does the Driver Have to Be Convicted of DUI to Be Held Liable for the Crash?

While a DUI conviction can strengthen a plaintiff’s case in a civil lawsuit, establishing liability is not a strict requirement. Even without a criminal conviction, a plaintiff may demonstrate the driver’s negligence or recklessness based on other evidence.

We can help establish liability by pursuing the impaired driver’s insurance coverage for your crash injuries or during a wrongful death claim if you have lost a loved one in a crash caused by a drunk driver. Virginia law may allow DUI accident victims and their families to recover punitive damages in addition to compensation for the crash’s economic and non-economic damages.

If a drunk driver’s BAC is over .15 at the time of the crash or if they unreasonably refuse to submit to a BAC test, then the injured party could be entitled to an award of punitive damages on top of being compensated for their injuries. Punitive damages are awarded to punish defendants for gross negligence or intentional conduct. They are also meant to deter the defendant and others from repeating the same mistake.

Consult Our Experienced Virginia Personal Injury Attorney for Help Today

If you have been injured in an accident caused by an impaired driver in Virginia, contact our dedicated Richmond personal injury attorney today to discuss how the crash has impacted your life during a free consultation. We can help you understand your rights, assess the strength of your case, and guide you through the legal process.