Car Accident Lawyer Virginia Beach
St. Patrick’s Day, traditionally a celebration of Irish culture, has become one of the most widely observed holidays in the United States and around the world. While the festivities are filled with parades, parties, and revelry, there’s a much darker side to this annual celebration—one that involves a significant increase in drunk driving accidents. On St. Patrick’s Day, many people indulge in drinking alcohol to excess, and as a result, the risk of impaired driving and its tragic consequences becomes alarmingly high. This makes St. Patrick’s Day one of the most dangerous days on the road for drunk driving accidents.
If you or a loved one was injured as a result of another driver driving under the influence, call our office to speak with a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer.
The Link Between Alcohol and St. Patrick’s Day
Alcohol has long been associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Many people, regardless of their cultural background, engage in drinking as part of the festivities. Bars and restaurants hold special events, and crowds flock to Irish pubs to enjoy green beer, whiskey, and other alcoholic beverages. While moderate drinking can be part of the fun, it’s common for people to drink excessively, especially during the later hours of the day. This excessive drinking can lead to impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and an overall inability to make safe decisions—particularly when it comes to driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol consumption is a leading cause of car crashes and fatalities. On holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, the risk of drunk driving accidents significantly rises due to the sheer volume of alcohol consumed. In fact, studies consistently show that St. Patrick’s Day ranks among the top holidays for alcohol-related crashes, with many of these accidents occurring during the late-night hours after bars and parties let out.
Statistics: The Risk of Drunk Driving on St. Patrick’s Day
The statistics surrounding drunk driving on St. Patrick’s Day paint a troubling picture. According to the NHTSA, alcohol-related crashes increase substantially on this holiday. On average, nearly 40 percent of all fatal car accidents on St. Patrick’s Day involve a driver under the influence of alcohol. The increase in impaired drivers on the road makes it clear that the day poses a heightened risk for those who venture out in vehicles, whether they are sober or not.
For example, There were 290 people killed in drunk driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays 6 p.m. March 16 – 5:59 a.m. March 18) between 2018-2022. During the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day holiday, 74 people died in DUI accidents.
Younger drivers, particularly those between the ages of 21 and 34, make up a significant portion of those arrested or involved in alcohol-related crashes on St. Patrick’s Day. This age group is often the target of alcohol-heavy celebrations, and their relatively higher risk-taking behavior can lead to tragic consequences when combined with impaired driving.
Why St. Patrick’s Day is Particularly Dangerous
Several factors contribute to St. Patrick’s Day being a particularly hazardous day for drunk driving accidents.
Large Crowds and Bar-Hopping Culture
St. Patrick’s Day is known for its widespread celebrations at bars, restaurants, and public spaces. Many people take part in “bar-hopping,” moving from one venue to another throughout the day, consuming alcohol at each stop. This increases the likelihood that individuals will be impaired by the time they get into their cars. Furthermore, many people may not realize how intoxicated they are until they attempt to drive home, leading to dangerous situations on the road.
Late-Night Driving After Drinking
The majority of alcohol-related crashes on St. Patrick’s Day occur late in the evening after the festivities have wound down. After a day of drinking, many people head home after consuming large amounts of alcohol over several hours. This delay in time between drinking and driving increases the likelihood of dangerous impairments such as slowed reflexes, decreased awareness, and poor decision-making.
Lack of Designated Drivers
While many people plan ahead for a night of drinking by relying on public transportation, rideshare services, or a designated driver, these options are not always fully utilized. Some partygoers may believe they are capable of driving safely despite being intoxicated, while others may opt to drive because they assume they are only slightly impaired. Unfortunately, alcohol affects every individual differently, and even small amounts of alcohol can make driving unsafe. Without proper planning, many people choose to drive home while impaired, leading to a higher risk of accidents.
Overestimating One’s Ability to Drive
A common myth is that people believe they can “sober up” or reduce their impairment by drinking water or consuming food. However, alcohol impairs motor functions long before someone feels drunk, and the only true way to sober up is by giving the body time to process the alcohol. Many people fail to recognize their own intoxication, leading them to drive when they are not capable of doing so safely.
The Consequences of Drunk Driving Accidents
The consequences of drunk driving accidents are severe and far-reaching. Alcohol impairs a person’s ability to judge distances, react to hazards, and make critical decisions while driving. As a result, drivers under the influence of alcohol are more likely to cause serious accidents, including head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, and pedestrian accidents. The physical injuries caused by these crashes can be catastrophic, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and even death.
Drunk driving accidents also have a financial impact. The medical costs of treating injuries, lost wages, long-term rehabilitation, and property damage can add up to substantial expenses for those involved in such accidents. Victims of drunk driving accidents may face lifelong physical and emotional scars. In some cases, families of victims killed in alcohol-related crashes must cope with the heartbreaking loss of a loved one.
Call Our Office for Legal Assistance
St. Patrick’s Day is meant to be a fun and festive occasion, but it also carries a significant risk for drunk driving accidents due to the widespread consumption of alcohol. With a combination of large crowds, late-night drinking, and impaired decision-making, the risk of accidents and fatalities increases substantially.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we are dedicated to holding impaired drivers accountable for their actions. We are determined they will pay the financial damages for the losses our clients have suffered, including medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, disfigurement, and permanent disability, like the $3.5 million jury award we obtained for our client who suffered irreversible brain damage and incurred physical disabilities when a drunk driver hit her car head-on. Contact our office today for a free case evaluation with one of our seasoned Virginia Beach drugged driving accident lawyers.
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