Even Buzzed Drivers Can Cause Serious Accidents

Like many things in life, alcohol intoxication exists on a spectrum. When many of us picture a stereotypical drunk driver, we picture someone who is glassy-eyed, unable to speak without slurring his or her words, and extremely unsteady on their feet. In reality, however, drivers who are only “buzzed” usually have impaired reaction time and judgment, putting everyone on the road at risk.

What Is “Buzzed Driving?”

In common parlance, we use many words to describe alcohol intoxication—buzzed, wasted, blitzed, and trashed are just a few that you may have heard at some point. Typically, “buzzed” is used to describe a state of slight intoxication where a person may feel relaxed, warm, and less inhibited—but not necessarily showing outward signs of drunkenness like poor balance or slurred speech. Some may refer to being “buzzed” as being “politely drunk.”

The fact that people who are buzzed do not feel as if their abilities are impaired may cause them to believe that they are perfectly capable of driving. Science, however, disagrees. According to the National Institutes of Health, “a review of 112 studies concluded that certain skills required to operate essentially any type of motorized vehicle become impaired at even modest departures from zero BAC,” indicating that people who drive buzzed pose a serious risk to everyone else on the road. Importantly, this means that even one or two drinks can seriously impair a person’s ability to safely drive, depending on factors like their age, weight, and gender.

Protecting Your Rights after an Accident Caused by a Buzzed Driver

As mentioned above, people who are buzzed often do not show many of the more obvious signs of alcohol intoxication. For this reason, if you involved in an accident with a buzzed driver, you may not even be aware of the fact that he or she has been drinking. Police officers, on the other hand, are trained to recognize subtle signs of intoxication that the rest of us may miss, so it is important to have law enforcement respond the scene of your accident. If the other driver is determined to be over the under the influence or otherwise in violation of Connecticut drunk driving laws, he or she will likely be arrested and charged with DUI. If the other driver ultimately pleads guilty or is convicted, it typically means that anyone injured will be able to recover compensation from the driver or his or her insurance without having to submit any further evidence of negligence.

Injured by a Drunk Driver? Cal Polito Law Today to Speak with a Waterford Car Accident Lawyer

Accidents caused by buzzed or drunk drivers often leave innocent victims with extensive economic and non-economic losses, including medical expenses, property damage, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. In some cases, victims may even be left with disabilities that will affect them for the rest of their lives. At Polito Law, our experienced personal injury attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of victims and holding impaired drivers accountable for their actions. To schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney, contact us online or send us an email through our online contact form.