For many Americans trying to escape the winter chill, Miami is a popular destination. Even for locals, the holidays are meant for family, friends, food, and drink, but things often go too far. A glass of wine with dinner, a drink of unknowingly spiked eggnog, and a nightcap can leave Florida’s roads with many intoxicated drivers. Police officers often set up DUI checkpoints during the holidays, but many drunk drivers purposefully avoid these areas. Knowing how to spot a drunk driver this holiday season may save both your life and the lives of others.
How to Spot a Drunk Driver
Be on the Lookout for Drunk Drivers in Miami this Holiday Season – Personal Injury Attorneys
Particularly intoxicated drivers may show obvious signs of impairment. However, some drivers who know they’ve had too much to drink may try to hide their intoxication. They often don’t realize there are ways to spot a drunk driver. These include the following:
- The driver is intently focused on the windshield and leaning close to the steering wheel,
- The driver makes last minute illegal or sudden turns, indicating slowed reaction time and visual impairment,
- The driver narrowly avoids striking another car, object, or barrier,
- The driver is going slower than the posted speed limit,
- The left tires of the vehicle are on or close to the center line/lane line,
- The vehicle keeps accelerating and slowing,
- The vehicle makes wide turns with erratic breaking,
- The driver is swerving or drifting with sudden correction, and
- The driver responds to traffic signals too early or too late.
These can also be signs of fatigued driving, visual impairment, or inexperienced driving, but these vehicles should be avoided. Drunk driving is more prevalent during the holidays, so if you see vehicles with these signs late a night, on a weekend, or avoiding major roadways, there is a real chance that the drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Recovering Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident in Miami
Drunk driving is against the law. Because of this, Floridians injured by a drunk driver may be able to claim the driver was “negligent per se,” meaning that he or she was negligent because the driver violated Florida law and caused your injuries. This often shifts the burden of proof from you as the plaintiff to the defendant, making it easier to seek a judgment on your behalf. It’s important the police investigate any accident involving a potentially drunk driver, even if the accident is minor. Don’t allow a seemingly intoxicated driver to get back onto the road after an accident. Be sure to avoid an intoxicated driver and call the police before an accident happens, but if you can’t, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve at Flagler Personal Injury Group.
Contact the Miami Personal Injury Attorneys at Flagler Personal Injury Group Today
You can be the most responsible driver on the road, but you can’t control the actions of other drivers during the holidays. Whether you need help applying for no-fault benefits, filing a liability claim, settling a case, or filing litigation, we’re here to help after a drunk driver injured you in Miami. To schedule your free personal injury consultation, call us 24/7 at 305-424-8445 or contact us online.
We handle a variety of cases, so call us now if you have any questions.
View more contact information here: Miami Personal Injury Attorney.
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