9 Signs That a Driver Is Drunk on New Year’s Eve

According to the American Automobile Association, 103 million Americans will embark on a long road trip this festive season. That marks an increase of 1.5 million travelers from last year.

Of course, you don’t need to tell Texans about traffic. According to the Atlantic’s CityLab project, the state is second only to California in total miles traveled per year, which might explain why The Lone Star State has not seen a single day without a fatal car accident since 2000.

Although a serious collision can happen at any time, these wrecks are particularly common on drinking holidays such as New Year’s Eve. Alcohol impairs a person’s coordination, decision-making and response time – all of which are essential for driving safely.

If you are injured by a drunk, distracted or negligent driver on New Year’s Eve, contact the Cooper Law Firm. An accident lawyer in Van Zandt will help you claim the maximum compensation for health-care bills, lost wages and non-economic damages.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about drunk-driving injury lawsuits in Texas.

How to Spot a Drunk Driver on New Year’s Day

The New Year begins with tragedy for far too many Americans. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 118 people died on average in traffic accidents on January 1^st between 2010 and 2014. That makes New Year’s Day the second-deadliest day on U.S. roads.

More than 60 percent of those accidents involved a driver or victim with a BAC of at least 0.08 percent.

If you intend to drive on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, it is important that you take steps to avoid drunk-driving accidents. In addition to staying sober, you can reduce your risk by keeping your distance from motorists who show these nine signs of inebriation:

Speeding up or slowing down suddenly – for no reason;
Weaving across lanes;
Following too closely;
Driving in the dark with their headlights off;
Straddling two lanes;
Switching on their turn signal without cause;
Almost hitting a curb;
Drifting onto the shoulder; or
Striking parked vehicles or objects on the side of the road.

Here are three tips to keep in mind if you suspect that a driver is drunk:

Do not attempt to stop the vehicle
Write down the vehicle’s color, make, model and license number; and
Pull over to a safe place, and call the police.

If you are injured or lose a family member due to a drunk driver over the holidays, contact the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident lawyer in Van Zandt who will help you avoid mistakes during the claims process such as overlooking certain damages, signing a general release or accepting a low settlement.

Mr. Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.