Victims Of Drunk Driving- Paying For Some One Else’s AdventureDrunk driving is a dangerous activity to indulge in. It not only endangers the life of the one who is doing it but also endangers the life of those around him/her as well. This is a message that has been repeated innumerable times. Despite that, people indulge in drunk driving and cause fatal or close-to fatal accidents. What these people do not realize is that they leave behind them a trail of destruction. The trail can be both human as well inhuman. While material things may get replaced after some point of time, the damage done to the life of those involved in such accidents is often irreparable. Victims of drunk driving are no longer the same that they earlier used to be. It has been found that drunk driving is one of the most common causes of road crashes. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an individual is said to be under the influence of alcohol if the blood alcohol concentration level is .01 or higher.
The victims of alcohol related accidents receive severe injuries. In some cases, the accident may also lead to death. Some victims of drunk driving may survive but may face severe pain and suffering throughout their lifetime. It is estimated that the costs related to these accidents is around $135 billion per year. Fatal motor accidents may constitute around $ 51 billion. Also the average cost involved per rescuer of an alcohol related accident may come around $67,000. Their health care costs can reach up to $ 6000 as well. However, this expenditure is nothing in front of the pain and suffering which the victims usually undergo. In fact, most of the victims after the road accidents may undergo physiotherapy and may learn again the skills of talking and walking. However the victim of the accident may have some legal rights under the US law. They are eligible for claiming the compensation under the specified laws applicable. There are many organizations that assist victims of alcohol related accidents in getting their compensation and also help regarding various legal medical issues. Also, there are many charitable organizations and institutes whose main purpose is to enlighten the people and creating awareness among the individuals through their educational programs, victim services and public awareness programs. The victims of drunk driving can be many. Drunk drivers may cause severe injuries to their passengers, other drivers and those who are standing on the road. In the year 2005, 254,000 individuals were injured and 16,919 poor victims died in such type of accidents. The only relief for the victims who had survived the accident came in the form of some sort of compensation which they could get after making efforts for the same. |