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Drunk Driving Accidents
- Are you ready for Checkpoint Strikeforce?
- What are drunk drivers doing when they cause an accident?
- Did a Virginia teen get away with murder – twice?
- Looking forward to your Superbowl party? Don't become a dangerous driver!
- The Effect of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws and Drunk Driving Accidents
Firm News
- DUI and involuntary manslaughter charges for Stafford County woman
Posted on 2/25/2010 - Culpeper DUI traffic stop leads to drug charges for Maryland couple
Posted on 12/20/2009 - Manslaughter charges for Stafford man who killed two in drunk driving crash
Posted on 11/21/2009 - Driving Under the Influence Kills Mother and Son
Posted on 9/23/2009 - Rise in number of women caught driving under the influence of alcohol
Posted on 8/20/2009 - Spotsylvania teen charged with DUI in Culpeper crash
Posted on 7/30/2009 - Culpeper resident charged with DUI
Posted on 7/20/2009 - Fatal beltway accident caused by drunk driver with numerous traffic violations
Posted on 7/15/2009 - Culpeper man sentenced after alcohol-related crash injures police officer
Posted on 3/31/2009 - Culpeper police warn of drunk driving dangers
Posted on 3/19/2009
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Drunk Driving Accidents
Top 15 Ways Drunk Drivers Cause Accidents
We all know that drunk driving is a problem across the country, and especially in Virginia. The Virginia DMV has highlighted impaired driving as one of their top issues for 2008, and campaigns against drunk driving such as StopImpairedDriving.org funded by the National Highway Transportation Safety (NHTSA) and education and outreach by organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) all try to educate drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI).
However, the message isn’t getting to everyone. In 2006 – the last year for which statistics are available – there were 11,736 alcohol related auto accidents in the state of Virginia, which resulted in 7,543 injuries and 374 fatalities. That year, Virginia had 29,595 DUI convictions – up 5.4% from the previous year. Nationally, there are over a million arrests each year for driving under the influence – that’s one million drivers who could have – and may have – caused a serious or fatal auto accident.
How Impaired Drivers Cause Accidents
In Virginia, the following driver actions contributed to alcohol-related crashes in 2006:
- 1,113 drivers were driving too fast
- 1,305 drivers were involved in a hit and run accident
- 453 drivers failed to yield
- 451 drivers were following the vehicle in front of them too closely
- 366 drivers ignored a traffic control signal like a red light or stop sign
- 366 drivers were distracted
- 277 drivers were driving left of center, but weren’t passing
- 181 drivers made an improper turn
- 173 drivers made an improper or unsafe lane change
- 101 drivers passed another vehicle improperly
- 87 drivers backed their vehicles up improperly
- 68 drivers were trying to avoid another vehicle
- 15 drivers were traveling without their lights on
- 12 drivers were illegally or improperly parked
- 12 drivers were trying to avoid a pedestrian
In addition to the above, there were 5,932 crashes caused by other means, 693 crashes where no violations were found, 175 crashes where no reason was stated.
Keeping Impaired Drivers Off the Road
Each of us can do our part to prevent accidents and fatalities from impaired drivers. First and foremost, never get behind the wheel after having a drink – and never accept a ride from somebody who has been drinking. Try to plan ahead – if you know that you’ll be going out to have a drink, line up a designated driver who will stay sober and ensure that the members of your party make it home safely. In addition, if you find yourself stuck after having too much to drink, spend the night at your host’s home or take a taxi back to your own home. The bottom line is that there is never a good reason or excuse to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas want to hear from you if you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with an impaired driver. There is no reason for you to suffer the after effects of a tragic accident alone – and you deserve justice. Please contact the law offices of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas today and let us work with you for the compensation that you deserve.
DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP
Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
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Warrenton Office
492 Blackwell Road
Suite 201
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
Phone: 540-341-0007
Toll Free: 888-907-2631
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Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540-825-6046
Toll Free: 800-741-1012
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Case Results
Drunk Driving Accidents
Injuries Caused by Drunk Driver = $475,000
Wreck Caused By Drunk Driver - Fractured Knee - $200,000
Injuries Caused By Drunk Driver - $110,000