The Fourth of July is coming up. It is a holiday filled with fun, fireworks, and, often, drinking. Although the current coronavirus pandemic will likely change the way people celebrate this year, it will certainly still be a day of celebration.

However, when celebrating involves drinking, unfortunately, it often means an increase in drunk driving. Last year, California Highway Patrol saw an increase in drunk driving over the Fourth of July holiday. Over the holiday maximum enforcement period (between 6 p.m. on the 3rd and 6 a.m. on the 5th) over “600 suspected drunken drivers [were] arrested statewide and a dozen people killed in crashes.”

When a driver chooses to drive while intoxicated, they put not only themselves in danger, but they put the lives of other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in danger. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, can make a driver disoriented and unable to maintain control of their vehicle and obey traffic laws. This can lead to accidents that can cause serious injuries, and even death.

Perhaps the most tragic part of DUI related car accidents is that they are entirely preventable. To stay safe on Southern California Roads this Fourth of July, you can make a plan ahead of time to:

• Have a designated driver--if you are going to drink, pick a designated driver ahead of time.
• Take public transit or use a rideshare app--if you decide to drink and don't have a designated driver, you can still avoid drunk driving by using public transit or a rideshare to get home.
• Keep drunk friends off the road--if you notice your friend has been drinking and plans to drive, take their keys away. You may be saving not only their life, but keeping others safe as well.
• Drive carefully and report drunk driving--even if you choose not to drink and drive, stay alert while out on Southern California roads and watch for other drivers who may not be sober. You can report drunk drivers to help get them off the road.

DUI Personal Injuries and Wrongful Death Claims

If your Fourth of July does involve a harmful car accident with a drunk driver, it is important to talk to a skilled Southern California car accident attorney. When a driver chooses to drive while intoxicated, and causes an accident that results in personal injuries or the wrongful death of others, that driver is civilly liable to those harmed. A skilled attorney can help you bring a claim if you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a DUI accident.

Our attorneys at the Kann California Law Group can help you with:

• Personal Injury Claims: If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, we can help you file a personal injury claim to get compensation for the costs and losses associated with your injuries including medical bills, recovery costs, lost wages, and more.

• Wrongful Death Claims: If you have tragically lost a loved one in a DUI accident, you can bring a wrongful death claim against the driver responsible and get compensation for your loss. There is financial recovery available for funeral and burial expenses, as well as other damages caused by the loss of your loved one.

We hope you have a fun and safe Fourth of July this year. But, if you do need help after a car accident or any other type of accident, make sure to call us at 888-744-7730 or use our confidential online contact form for a free case consultation. Our criminal defense and personal injury attorneys are available to discuss your case 24/7.