The coronavirus pandemic has changed life as we know it throughout Colorado, across the country and around the globe. It is also making plenty of people quite thirsty, potentially increasing the risk of drivers getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Sales of at-home alcohol have jumped by roughly 27 percent since the pandemic began spreading in the U.S. in March, according to a recent Nielsen study. At the same time, Colorado and other states across the nation have loosened regulations to allow struggling bars and restaurants to offer adult beverages to go, a change that many would like to see made permanent
That could make for a perfect storm of drinking and driving. Despite business closures and a shift to working from home for many at the height of the pandemic, DUI arrests doubled in the first four months of 2020, compared to the same period last year, according to the Colorado State Patrol
“You might think that stay-at-home orders would mean fewer tragedies on our roads,” Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, told KKTV. “While overall traffic fatalities might be down, injury and fatal crashes caused by drug and alcohol use are up. We know that even during the pandemic, drunk and drugged driving haven’t stopped.”
Legal Rights for People Injured in Colorado Car Accidents
Drunk drivers pose a particular threat to everyone on the road because the influence of drugs and alcohol slows reaction time and impedes decision making. In Colorado alone, some 900 people are killed every year in drinking and driving accidents.
But there is a wide range of other negligent behavior behind the wheel that can also significantly increase the risk of a crash. That includes speeding, aggressive driving, failing to use signals and texting while driving.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk or negligent driver, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash. Money damages will not undo the accident, but it can ease some of the pain and stress that comes with being involved in a vehicle collision.
In Colorado, an experienced Denver personal injury lawyer can help you identify those responsible and build the strongest possible case.
Speak with a Denver Auto Accident Lawyer
At Levine Law, our Colorado personal injury attorneys combine decades of experience helping people injured in drunk driving and other accidents get the money they deserve. We are committed to guiding clients through the legal process with experience and personalized attention.
We are pleased to serve clients throughout Colorado, including in Denver, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins and Loveland. Call us at 303-333-8000 or contact us online to speak with a Denver motor vehicle accident lawyer.
