How Common Are DUI Accidents in Alabama?

Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, law enforcement crackdowns, enactment of tough DUI laws, and other efforts, drunk driving accidents remain far too common in Alabama and across the country.

If you have been injured because of someone else’s foolish decision to drink and drive, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact the law firm of Stokes Stemle, LLC, now for a free claim review.

Alabama DUI Car Accident Laws

According to Alabama’s drunk driving laws, a driver is considered legally intoxicated if:

• Non-commercial drivers aged 21 or older have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 grams of alcohol or more per deciliter of blood (g/dL).
• Non-commercial drivers under the age of 21 are legally drunk if they have a BAC of 0.02 g/dL or more.
• Commercial drivers are legally drunk if they have a BAC of 0.04 g/dL or more.
• Drivers operating school buses or daycare vehicles are considered legally drunk if their BAC is 0.02 g/dL or more.

Drivers who are found guilty of driving under the influence are subject to harsh penalties, including possible fines, license suspensions, and even jail time. Additionally, there are enhanced penalties for motorists who drive drunk while children under 14 are in their vehicles and for drunk drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or more.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in Alabama

The following facts and statistics demonstrate the nature and severity of the drunk driving problem in Alabama. According to research from the Alabama Department of Transportation and reporting by Montgomery’s WSFA News:

• 210 people were killed in 5,524 vehicle accidents involving suspected drug or alcohol impairment in one recent year.
• Alabama car crashes involving drivers under the influence were 7.62 times more likely to result in fatalities.
• Alabama men were more than 2.75 times more likely than women to cause impaired driving accidents.
• The majority of impaired driving crashes occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and more than 42 percent occurred on weekend days.
• Alabama’s rate of impaired driving deaths per 100,000 people was 5.5, the fifth-highest among all states.

What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident with a Drunk Driver

If you are involved in an accident with a suspected drunk driver, you should take the following steps to protect your legal rights and your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries:

• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, if possible.
• Request contact information and statements from any available eyewitnesses.
• Take photographs of the accident scene, including any vehicle damage or visible injuries caused by the crash.
• Seek immediate medical attention, and follow through on any treatment plans prescribed by your doctor.
• Keep a record of any medical bills, repair invoices, or other incidental expenses you incur as a result of the accident.
• Avoid discussing the details of your accident with others or posting about it on social media.
• Keep track of your pain and suffering in a daily pain journal, which can be used to illustrate the impact of the injury on your life.
• Contact an experienced Alabama DUI accident attorney.

Get Help from an Alabama DUI Accident Lawyer

The dedicated lawyers of Stokes Stemle, LLC, have a deep knowledge of Alabama law and years of experience representing the interests of people injured in drunk driving accidents. We fight aggressively for DUI accident victims and seek to maximize their compensation and hold drunk drivers accountable.

Contact us now for a free case review to speak directly with our compassionate personal injury attorneys.