In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 40,901 road crashes in the US. This includes an estimated 12,429 people who were killed in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).

Drunk driving accidents can cause serious injuries, property damage, and even loss of life. When this happens, you can recover the full cost of your compensatory damages if you can prove the drunk driver is entirely liable for your crash, according to drunk driving accident lawyer William Brierre.

It is important to determine the party at fault in a drunk driving accident. While it is true that drivers are mostly the ones held responsible for the accident, there are cases where others share some liability. They could also be the bar owners, hosts, and even the owner of the vehicle.

Let’s take a look at how to determine who is responsible in a drunk driving accident.

The Driver’s Responsibility

Driving under the influence is a heavy responsibility that can cost not just your life but others’ lives on the road. You might think you’re okay to go, but any amount of alcohol will begin to impair your thoughts and reaction time.

So when you get in your car after maybe one or two drinks, you really put life at stake: the passengers in your vehicle, if any; strangers walking in front of you; and those who drive alongside. In fact, everyone has the right to feel secure whenever out traveling.

But can you be drunk in a parked car without getting penalized? While it is possible, you can still face legal trouble even if the car isn’t moving, since authorities may consider it an intent to drive.

Choosing to drive under the influence takes away that security from all those around you. So let’s be reminded, when with friends, that our choices matter.

Let’s look after one another and make the safe choice so our roads are safe.

Bar and Restaurant Liability

Although patrons are responsible for the choices they make in a bar or restaurant, the establishments have a hand in encouraging safe drinking behavior. When you’re at a party with your mates, it’s not easy to keep count of what you’ve had.

A bar makes sure to serve those in its care with responsibility so that everyone can have a good time without having to weather an unsafe situation. But if a bartender overserves you drinks, the bar can be held liable if the patron causes an accident. This is a matter of creating a neighborly atmosphere without over-indulging the customers.

Bars and restaurants may encourage patrons in several ways. They can provide non-alcoholic alternatives or suggest the use of rideshares. Everyone has to keep the roadways safe for all.

Social Host Liability

Hosts can be held liable if they serve alcohol to someone who later causes a DUI crash. You might even get in trouble if they leave your party intoxicated and cause an incident. It all boils down to a responsible environment.

Great hosts know how to entertain their guests while still maintaining their safety. It would also be great if they could also keep an eye on how much alcohol gets served to the guests.

Remind your friends to keep safe. You can also suggest for them to try the non-alcoholic drinks instead. Being a caring host serves well in creating a sense of belonging as well as helping to safeguard the community.

Vehicle Manufacturer Accountability

As drunk-driving deaths and injuries continue to increase, the burden of responsibility upon the manufacturers of vehicles comes under sharper study. You could probably wonder about the possible accountability of a car manufacturer for the reckless choices of a driver.

As a matter of fact, manufacturers must ensure the safety of their vehicles and thus make them accident-proof. In this way, such features may include anti-lock braking systems or alcohol-detecting devices.

When a manufacturer refuses to stay faithful, they may be partly held responsible whenever a drunk driver causes damage. You cannot be alone in thinking that companies should value safety above profits.

And businessmen are held for such claims because it is an incentive to innovation and ultimately creates a safer environment for us all. Your safety is a concern-and for that, those who build the cars that we all ride upon must be committed.

Insurance Implications in Drunk Driving Cases

When drunk driving accidents occur, the insurance consequences can be quite complicated and far-reaching. Your mind will immediately imagine your coverage backing you up in such a situation, but this is not always the case.

Depending on the situation, your insurer may decide to raise your premiums or deny coverage outright if you were beyond the permitted legal limit for the alcohol level in your blood. For a victim, getting paid for a settlement can sometimes get complicated because the insurer will always try to lower the payout figure.

It is important to know the details in your policy and if it has any exclusion clauses. Do not hesitate to contact an insurance lawyer when the waters seem too complicated to handle.