Almost everyone knows that certain levels of alcohol can increase the chances of a car accident, but not everyone knows why. There are specific effects alcohol has at certain levels in the body that can impair specific driving skills. Once enough driving skills are impaired, the chances of an accident increase significantly. Do not hesitate to ask a New York City drunk driving accident lawyer for help if you were hit by a drunk driver.

How Does Alcohol Really Impact Driving?

Alcohol affects driving in a multitude of ways. Many people automatically think about how alcohol impairs vision while driving, but this is not the only way alcohol hinders driving. Breaking down how alcohol affects driving at each Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level can help you understand why alcohol increases car accidents.

The effects of alcohol on driving at a BAC level of 0.02% are mild compared to later levels. These effects start out with relaxation and decreased worry which can lead to poor judgment.

In terms of driving, people may find it harder to track moving objects as quickly as they usually can. Multitasking or performing two tasks at once also becomes difficult.

At a BAC level of 0.05%, people may start experiencing impaired judgment and decreased alertness. Driving is affected by less coordination, problems steering correctly, and slower responses to last-minute changes on the road. Many people who have four or more drinks will reach a BAC level of 0.08%, the legal limit for driving.

Once a driver has a BAC level of 0.08%, muscle coordination, memory, and self-control become significantly impaired. Driving skills like speed control, information processing of all the various changes on the road, and general perception are all impaired. Concentration is also decreased which can make focusing on the road and driving much more challenging.

Past this BAC level, driving is impacted by not staying in the right lane and losing control of the vehicle.

What If a Drunk Driver Hit Me?

The legal consequences of drunk driving accidents are often severe and depend on what the outcomes were. Some drunk drivers will face $10,000 fines while others may have to do jail time. Be sure to obtain copies of your medical records and the police report along with pictures of the wreckage and your injuries. Submit all this to the auto insurance company for compensation.

A lawyer can help you collect any other needed car accident evidence to support your accident claim. If the insurance agent denies your claim, talk to a lawyer about your legal options. Consider contacting a New York City accident lawyer if you were hit by a drunk driver.

New York City Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Defending your claim against a drunk driver can be intimidating. Contact the Sullivan and Brill Law Firm by dialing (212) 566-1000 to talk to a New York car accident lawyer for a free consultation today. Our legal team in Rockland Counties can help you seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. We are located in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.