A San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer Explains Why
This holiday season may be more dangerous for Texas motorists than usual, according to safety advocates.
As the number of fatal car accidents surges across the nation, there is concern that this already deadly time of year will be even more tragic.
Every year, there are about 1,250 fatal car crashes around the holidays across the U.S.
In Texas, about 41% of all fatal crashes around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays involve alcohol, according to a recent 10-year study (2010-2019). Only Connecticut reports more fatal alcohol-involved car accidents at that time of year.
Texas Wins Anti-Drunk Driving Grant
In an effort to prevent fatal car accidents, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Uber are partnering to support anti-impaired driving programs in five states, including Texas. The states that will receive the $95,000 in funds and ride credits experience an above-average number of fatal crashes.
Studies show that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft reduce the number of fatal and serious drunk and impaired driving crashes in the communities they serve.
A Houston-specific study found that rideshares likely decreased the number of serious and fatal impaired driving accidents for people ages 30 and younger by almost 40%.
“Traffic deaths are increasing at an unprecedented rate — surging nearly 20% in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2020," the GHSA said in a statement. "Drunk and drug-impaired driving increased during the pandemic and as parties and gatherings resume, there are even more opportunities for impaired driving this holiday season.”
Drunk Driving Crash Fatalities Are a Problem in San Antonio
Texas plans to use the grant money and credits it receives to support an existing campaign that promotes the availability of sober rides, like Uber, in Harris County and the greater Houston area. The goal is to deliver the state's "Ride Sober. No Regrets." campaign to 500,000 people.
Still, reducing drunk driving this holiday season will be a challenge — especially in San Antonio.
San Antonio is the U.S. city with the highest number of drunk-driving arrests from 2009 to 2018, according to a SmartAdvocate study from last year. There were more than 77,000 DWI arrests over those 10 years.
Meanwhile, Bexar County is among those counties that experience the most drunk driving fatalities in the state, according to federal data. In 2019, there were 77 lives lost. It is unclear how many more lives were lost to drivers impaired by things other than alcohol such as drugs, fatigue, or even illness.
Recent Accidents
Drunk driving crashes can result in severe and fatal injuries to everyone involved. When they are not fatal, common injuries of impaired driving accidents include concussion and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal bleeding, musculoskeletal disorders (damage to soft tissues, muscles, tendons, etc.), burns, cuts and lacerations, fractured and broken bones, and spinal cord injuries (SCIs).
In San Antonio, there have been recent accidents involving alcohol at:
- West Avenue and San Angelo Street
- Potranco Road at Clover Creek
- Loop 1604 at Culebra Road
- Highway 16 at S. Zarzamora Street
- I-35 at Eisenhauer Road
- Culebra Road at N. Navidad Street
Crash Victims Have Legal Rights
Drunk driving crashes are preventable. Choosing to drive when you are not in the right state of mind to safely operate a motor vehicle is a negligent act, yet people still do it all the time.
If you're in San Antonio and you were injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you have recourse through the civil justice system and can seek compensation for your losses.
Don't let an insurance adjuster try to downplay the severity of your crash or pay you less than what you truly deserve. Let an experienced car accident attorney from The Herrera Law Firm protect your rights and fight for every dollar you're entitled to.
To see how we can help you, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
