Even if you are a person who has never driven drunk in your entire life, you are still at risk of being involved in a drunk driving accident. No matter how careful you are to follow the laws and regulations regarding drinking and driving, there are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who drive while above the legal blood alcohol limit each and every day. This means that, no matter how careful you are on the road, other drunk drivers may still cause you to be in a dangerous car accident. If you are injured in a car accident with a drunk driver, it is important that you contact an experienced Newnan DUI accident lawyer to assess your case and help you get reimbursed for your injuries.
First and foremost, you should take precautions to make sure you never drive while above the legal limit. If you go out drinking, always remember that your body metabolizes alcohol at the rate of one drink per hour. Contrary to popular belief, taking a cold shower, exercising, or drinking coffee will not sober you any faster, because time (one hour per drink) is the only thing that will sober a person up. Also remember that a standard drink is considered to contain .54 ounces of alcohol, which is the equivalent of five ounces of wine, twelve ounces of beer, or one and a half ounces of distilled spirits. If you do drink too much in a specific period of time, always call a cab or have a sober driver take you home.
Secondly, even if you are sober, remember that other people may not be as vigilant or respectful of the drinking and driving standards. Make sure to keep your eye out for the signs of other drunk drivers on the roads. These signs include:
- Weaving
- Straddling lane dividers
- Taking extremely wide or narrow turns
- Braking erratically
- Almost hitting another vehicle or object
- Driving without headlights
- Driving above or below the speed limit.
If you see any of these signs on the road, make sure you stay out of the suspected drunk driver's way by slowing down or changing lanes, make sure you and your passengers are securely wearing your seat belts, and, if necessary, call to report the suspected drunk driver to local authorities. Finally, if you are involved in a car accident with a drunk driver, make sure that you call Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 as soon as possible. Shane Smith is an experienced Newnan DUI accident attorney and gives you a free consultation regarding your case.