Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

Alcohol is one of the most powerful sedatives, and even one or two drinks is enough for most people to get a “buzz.” As a result, anyone getting behind the wheel of a car is a danger to the public. When stopped by police, the driver often protests that they aren’t really drunk, only a little buzzed.

Any impairment from alcohol or drugs is sufficient to make the driver liable for a car accident. Victims should quickly reach out to a law firm to discuss possible compensation.

Negligence and Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving is a crime in South Dakota, which is defined as driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. Driving while intoxicated is also a tort, which means that drunk drivers are liable to pay compensation to victims.

If you were hurt in an accident, you don’t technically have to prove the driver’s BAC (although test results certainly help.) Instead, you need to show the driver who hit you drove negligently. Essentially, this means the person did not drive their vehicle as a person of ordinary care would. If the driver can’t meet this standard, then they are negligent and probably at fault for your crash.

Any impairment increases the risk the driver will smash into another vehicle or pedestrian. Innocent people end up in the emergency room with painful injuries.

One defense some drivers raise is that they were not technically “drunk.” But getting behind the wheel after even one or two drinks is probably negligent, for the reasons listed above. A driver who struggles to control the wheel or multitask is a danger to those around them. As a result, they are legally at fault for the collision and should pay compensation to injured motorists.

Reach out to an experienced law firm. We have sought compensatory damages for medical bills and lost income. You should also receive meaningful compensation for pain and suffering, along with mental distress. Based on other factors, we might also seek punitive damages.

Schedule a Consultation with a Sioux Falls Drunk Driving lawyer

There is no excuse for driving after a couple drinks. Drunk driving accidents are preventable, if only people drove responsibly. Call Hoy Law if you were hurt in any accident. We can find evidence to establish a driver was buzzed or even intoxicated. Schedule a free consultation with a Sioux Falls drunk driving lawyer.

Sources:

nhtsa.gov/campaign/buzzed-driving

sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-23-1