Injured by a Drunk Driver
Some of the most serious injuries are caused by drunk drivers. When a person is impaired behind the wheel, they are slow to react and may not be aware of what they are doing. This causes them to run red lights, not hit their brakes, and do other things that lead to serious injuries. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, a personal injury lawyer can get you the compensation you deserve.
The good news is that these types of auto accidents have gone down in recent years. Since 2007, the number of fatalities caused by drunk drivers has been reduced by 30%. The bad news is that these accidents are still far too common. In 2015, more than 400 people were killed on the roadways in Oregon. The largest cause of these fatalities was impaired driving. While progress has been made, it is clear that there is more work to do.
The way to prevent drunk driving is through a combination of enhanced penalties and education. Ignition interlocks are a great way to prevent drunk driving. When a person in Oregon is convicted of DUII, they are required to install an ignition interlock which prevents them from driving if they are impaired. Most drunk driving accidents are caused by repeat offenders, so this is very effective at reducing fatalities.
Education is another great way to prevent drunk driving. Educating people on the penalties of drunk driving, the impact it can have on others, and alternatives to drunk driving are all valuable in fighting drunk driving. Getting people to take a taxi or ridesharing service, for instance, can keep drunk drivers off the road.
At Johnson Law, we have seen first-hand just how devastating drunk driving accidents can be. We know that the injuries can be life changing and require substantial medical care. We will aggressively fight to get you the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation to discuss your drunk driving injury, contact Johnson Law today.