The attorneys at Tingey Injury Law Firm regularly see clients whose lives have been shattered by drunk drivers in Nevada. As the holidays heighten the already high rate of drunk driving accidents in the state, the Tingey team is urging drivers to avoid tragedy with increased vigilance on the road.
For 50 years, Tingey’s team of accident injury lawyers has been providing legal representation and counsel to victims in the greater Las Vegas area. They serve victims of car, semi-truck, and motorcycle accidents, to include drunk driving crashes. They help victims get the medical attention that they need and stand up to Big Insurance to advocate for their clients and recover financial losses for medical bills, lost wages, loss of earnings, and more.
Firm attorney Dean Tingey said that while many cities struggle with DUIs, the problem is especially pronounced in Las Vegas.
“The Strip is obviously a hot spot for drinking, and too many people get behind the wheel when they are not fit to be,” said Tingey.
Statewide, drunk driving-related fatalities climbed steadily from 2009 through 2017, according to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. Though there was a dip in these deaths between 2017 and 2018, that number was eclipsed by a new trend that showed a 34% increase in traffic fatalities due to motorists combining alcohol, drugs, and marijuana.
Nevada also tops the national average for drunk driving fatalities. Out of every 100,000 residents in the state, 3.3 people die due to a drunk driver, compared to 2.8 people out of every 100,000 nationally.
Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control show that someone dies from a drunk driving accident every 50 minutes, which amounts to 29 fatalities a day. According to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), impaired driving increases considerably during the holidays, with 40% of traffic-related deaths occurring between Christmas and New Year’s involving drunk drivers. They also report a 12% uptick in fatalities related to drunk drivers over Christmas and New Year’s compared to other times in December.
The increase in celebrations opens more opportunities to drink. While some of these people drink throughout the year, others permit themselves extra alcohol during the holidays.
“It’s often the case that the driver may not be a big drinker year round, but they take advantage of the holiday to let themselves go a little bit,” said Tingey. “Then, they get behind the wheel without even realizing how impaired they are, and that’s where the tragedy happens.”
Tingey urged drivers to stay off the roads if they plan to drink at all.
“Some people think they can get behind the wheel if they’ve just had a couple of drinks for the evening, but if they plan to drink at all, we’ve found that it’s best to play it safe and make an alternate plan,” said Tingey.
Tingey said preparation is key. He recommended that if drivers are going to an event where they plan to drink, they should assign someone who will stay sober to be a designated driver or arrange transportation through a taxi or rideshare company.
Tingey also cautioned sober drivers to stay off their cell phones and stay focused on their surroundings at all times, knowing that there are more drunk people on the road than usual at this time of year.
“Watch for drivers who are drifting in and out of their lane, braking erratically, driving very slowly or making wide or illegal turns,” said Tingey.
He urged drivers to get off of the roads while the night is young, since most drunk driving accidents happen very late at night or early in the morning.
Tingey Injury Law Firm has been advocating for victims of drunk driving crashes since they opened their doors in 1969. Their team includes highly specialized automobile accident, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and traumatic brain injury lawyers for the Las Vegas area. Their extensive experience and expertise in injury law enables them to handle the heavy legal lifting, allowing victims to focus on getting well and moving forward with their lives.
To learn more about Tingey Injury Law Firm and their work in representing accident victims in the Las Vegas area, visit www.TingeyLawFirm.com or call (702) 333-0000.
About Tingey Injury Law Firm
Tingey Injury Law Firm aims to provide the highest quality legal representation and counsel for those affected by personal injuries in Las Vegas. Cases include auto accident, wrongful death, work injury, personal injury (such as a slip and fall, or trip and fall), or dog bite. Their attorneys maintain a reputation for thoroughness and preparedness that is recognized in the local community.
