As Labor Day Approaches, Watch for Drunk Drivers

Next to the Fourth of July, Labor Day is one of the biggest summer holidays that we celebrate in the United States. This holiday is synonymous with backyard BBQs, fireworks, and the unofficial end of summer. Along with the Labor Day celebration is the tradition of enjoying a few drinks with friends. Unfortunately, people sometimes underestimate their tolerance after drinking all day and then decide to drive home after the party is over. Drunk drivers are a serious danger to everyone on the roads around Labor Day.

Watch out for Dangerous Drivers

Although you can only control your own driving behavior, understanding how to recognize drunk drivers on the road can help to prevent an accident. There are certain signs that you should watch for, especially around Labor Day when there are typically more drunk drivers on the roads around Connecticut. Sign to watch for include:

Excessive speeding
Running red lights or other traffic signs
Swerving in and out of a lane
Pausing for a long time before driving after a light turns from red to green
Tailgating
Changing lanes abruptly and without signaling

If you notice a car displaying any of these dangerous behaviors, it is advisable to pull off to the side of the road and call 911 to report the driver. By sharing this information with the police, you could potentially prevent a serious accident from happening.

What to Do if You’re Injured in an Accident

When a drunk driver injures you, remain calm and call the police. They will show up at the scene of the accident and survey the damage. If the police agree that the driver seems intoxicated, they will likely perform a sobriety test and ask them to blow into a Breathalyzer to record their blood alcohol content. If you are seriously injured, the police can call for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. If you don’t believe your injuries are severe it is still essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once you file a claim, the insurance company will look to see if you took the correct precautions after the accident. If they find that you didn’t go to a doctor until days later, they will probably attempt to assert that you must not have been too badly hurt, or maybe your injuries are not from the accident at all. For this reason, it’s crucial to be able to show proper medical documentation.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney in Norwich, Connecticut, Today

Sustaining an injury in an accident can be painful and terrifying. The situation is only made worse when you realize that the at-fault driver was intoxicated and irresponsibly got behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have. If you’ve been hurt by a drunk driver, your rights matter. The lawyers at Polito & Harrington, LLC, have many years of experience helping clients who have been injured by drunk drivers in the Norwich, Connecticut, area. Call us today to learn more about your potential compensation for damages. You can reach us at (860) 447-3300 or contact us online to set up an initial consultation.