St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest drinking days of the year, and it happens to be right around the corner. According to the National Retail Federation, the holiday is most popular among consumers between 18 and 24 years old, and experts estimate 77 percent of the individuals in that age bracket celebrated last year.
It’s reasonable to expect a similar—or better—turnout at all the bars and restaurants this year because the holiday falls on a Saturday. Although the influx of customers will certainly benefit small business owners everywhere, there is one major drawback of the large number of partygoers taking part in the festivities.
Since more people will be out drinking on March 17, more people are also likely to get behind the wheel while impaired. Everyone needs to get home at some point, and when those who have been drinking fail to arrange for transportation, they put both themselves and everyone on the road around them at risk.
If you were hurt in a drunk driving collision, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. To determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim, turn to Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC.
A strategic attorney on our team can handle all the logistics of your case so you can focus on your health. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation with an injury lawyer in Cedar Rapids.
Read on to learn what you should do if you come across someone driving erratically on St. Patrick’s Day and suspect impairment:
- Keep Your Distance
Drunk drivers are incredibly unpredictable, so it is wise to slow down and leave a considerable amount of distance between you and any suspected impaired motorists. This will give you plenty of time to perform an evasive maneuver should the driver decelerate quickly, stop suddenly, turn sharply, or swerve into the wrong lane.
- Take Note of the Vehicle
It may be unsafe to get close enough to read the vehicle’s license plate, but you can at least take note of its make, model, and color. You should also review the road on which you are traveling and the direction the vehicle is headed.
- Alert the Authorities
If you witness a motorist driving erratically on St. Patrick’s Day, pull over as soon as possible. If you are on the highway, pull off at the next exit to put plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle should a collision occur. Otherwise, pull into a nearby parking.
Once you have parked safely, call the local police and report everything you can remember about the vehicle so they can send someone to assess the situation. It may seem like a simple act, but reporting potentially impaired motorists could end up saving lives.
Unfortunately, the above tips are only helpful when you witness a drunk driver before a wreck actually occurs. In some scenarios, though, collisions come out of nowhere.
If you sustained injuries in a crash with an impaired motorist, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC today. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free case evaluation with an injury attorney in Cedar Rapids. You can learn more about drunk driving accidents in Iowa by visiting the USAttorneys website.
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