Increased Risk of Drunk Driving Accidents after Sporting Events
The San Antonio Spurs started the regular season against Golden State on October 25. They began away from home but were back on October 29 against New Orleans Pelicans. As fans crowd into the stadium throughout this season and enjoy typical basketball game fare including beer, nachos, and hotdogs, it is important to be aware of the potential for drunk driving after games. Many basketball fans who enjoy games up close and personal end up having too many drinks to get safely behind the wheel to go home. The same can be said for other professional sports, like football, baseball, and hockey fans. It is only natural to have a few beers at the game, but this can lead to alcohol-related crashes, personal injuries, and fatalities. If you were in a car accident caused by someone leaving a Spurs game, you should reach out to an attorney immediately for help.
Drunk Driving after Sporting Events
Alcohol and sports are consistently linked. Professional sporting events are so closely associated that alcohol producers and brewers often sponsor teams and major events. This is why it is no surprise that when fans attend games in person, they often enjoy a few beers at the event. One previous study, though not overly large or representational of every fan base, found that 8 percent of fans who agreed to be tested for alcohol after 13 major league baseball games and three national football league games were too intoxicated to drive. This may seem like an insignificant percentage, but as one of the researchers pointed out, in a stadium with thousands of fans, that equates to hundreds of people who need designated drivers or could cause serious accidents. The 8 percent figure may also be too low because many fans did not participate in the study and researchers did not ask to test underage fans.
If You Are Hit by a Drink Driver
If you are in a car accident and you believe the other driver is intoxicated, you should proceed like you would following any other collision – call the police. When the police arrive, you may tell the officers your suspicions. Try to give them facts as to why you think the other driver has been drinking. The officers can give the other driver a preliminary breath test. If there are signs of intoxication, the police can arrest the other driver for a DUI and require a chemical test to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content at the time of the accident.
It is also crucial to immediately call an attorney who can represent you in your personal injury matter against the drunk driver. While you will need to make a third-party insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, you may not be able to reach a settlement. Your lawyer can file a personal injury case for you, proving to the court that the driver was at fault for the accident and your injuries and behaved negligently by driving while intoxicated.
Contact the Bettersworth Law Firm
When you have been hurt because of a drunk driver, you deserve justice. You should see the driver held responsible for their actions. As a victim, you have the right to ask to recover your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The New Braunfels personal injury lawyers of The Bettersworth Law Firm understand the intricacies of proving a personal negligence case caused by a drunk driver and will do their best to recover the damages you need to move forward.
Source:
http://www.cfah.org/hbns/2011/after-games-40-percent-of-sports-fans-have-booze-on-board
