On August 17, 2022, Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD’s) National President Alex Otte made a public statement on the increase in traffic deaths during the first quarter of 2022. Ms. Otte urged action to help prevent these accidents since “People are dying on America’s roads at levels not seen since 2002.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 9,560 people were killed in the first quarter of 2022 in traffic accidents. This is a 7 percent increase over the first quarter of 2021. Those who tragically died in these accidents were hit by impaired drivers. DUI accidents are estimated to reach the highest levels in over a decade.

NHTSA data shows that drunk driving statistics vary significantly based on age, gender, and location. Young drivers and drivers with prior DUI convictions are more likely to drive while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Age

Drivers between the ages of 21-24 account for 27 percent of all fatal alcohol-impaired accidents.    Drivers 25-34 years of age accounted for 25 percent. Following is a table showing all of the NHTSA age-related data.

Gender

Men are involved in 4 times more drunk driving crashes than women, accounting for 80 percent of all drunk driving fatalities, according to the NHTSA. 

Location

The most recent data from the NHTSA showed the highest amount of annual alcohol-related fatalities in 2018 ranked Florida third in the U.S. with 958. 

Fort Myers DUI Accident Lawyer Says There are Serious Consequences to DUI Accidents 

DUI accidents frequently change lives forever. A few drinks, taking drugs, or even some prescriptions or over-the-counter medications can negatively impact the rest of a driver’s or his or her family’s lives.

 Fatal DUI Accidents 

Fatal DUI accidents can greatly affect a family’s life. In addition to the traumatic challenges, if a DUI driver kills a family’s breadwinner, how will the family survive and protect their futures? 

DUI Injuries 

Here are just a few of the injuries DUI accident victims may sustain:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Organ Damages
• Broken and/or Crushed Limbs
• Burns 

When accident victims sustain these types of injuries, there may need to be changes made to their housing. Will ramps need to be added? Will kitchens and bathrooms need to be redesigned? Will doors need to be widened to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers? What other equipment will the accident victim need in order to cope with everyday life? What about physical therapy and future medical expenses? 

These are all questions that need to be addressed with your Fort Myers DUI Accident Lawyer Randall Spivey. Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. represents people injured in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of our clients have unique personal injury cases. Our firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation. After seeking medical attention, please contact us 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you.