3 Telltale Signs of a Drunk Driving Accident

 Posted on December 14, 2021 in Car Accident

After an accident, you may easily be able to tell that the other driver is impaired. They could be slurring their words, not making much sense, stumbling around, or even nodding off. In that case, it will generally be obvious to the police as well. Other times, it may not be immediately obvious that drugs or alcohol were a factor, such as if the intoxicated driver is badly injured and quickly transported to the hospital. In these cases, the accident scene itself may offer a few clues as to the at-fault driver’s sobriety.

If you think the driver who crashed into you may have been drunk, calling an attorney when the police are done can be to your benefit. A lawyer may be able to help you later prove that the responsible driver was intoxicated at the time.

What Signs Suggest that Drugs or Alcohol Were Involved in a Crash?

It is important to remember that none of these signs are definitive. Any number of things other than drug or alcohol impairment could cause a driver to have an accident that resembles a DUI crash. A person who has a seizure while driving, for example, could leave behind a similar accident scene. However, if you notice that multiple clues are present, it may be worth a closer investigation to determine whether drugs played a role. Keep an eye out for:

• No skid marks - A sober driver often makes an effort to avoid a crash by braking hard. They are at least alert and oriented enough to anticipate when a collision is about to happen and will reflexively brake hard, leaving tire tracks on the road. A drugged driver may not have the reaction time necessary to make any attempt at stopping before striking an object or another vehicle.
• Skipped medians - When you see a vehicle that has crossed over a median and into oncoming traffic, drugs or alcohol may have been involved. Hitting a median usually gives sober drivers who have simply lost control or veered off a chance to correct their course and come to a stop. An intoxicated driver may keep going after ending up on a median.
• Excessive force - It is sometimes clear from the extent of damage that a crash happened at very high speeds or with great force. If a crash looks like it happened at highway speeds but actually took place in an urban area, it could have been caused by an impaired and reckless driver who was going far too fast for the setting.

There are other possible explanations for these signs, but intoxication may need to be ruled out if an alternative explanation is not readily apparent.

Call a Larimer County Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt by a drunk or drugged driver - or a driver you think may have been drunk or on drugs - call the Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. Our experienced Fort Collins drunk driving accident attorneys can handle any necessary investigation and start you on the path to recovering compensation. Call 970-225-2190 to arrange a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15135810/a-life-on-skid-road-feature/