Understanding the Impact of Drunk Driving on Other People

Drunk driving is the crime of driving a vehicle with an excess of alcohol in the blood. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetimes. In December of 2017, I was hit from behind on a local freeway in Arizona. Since then I have experienced physical pain and emotional discomfort. To this day, I am still in contact with my attorney regarding the post-legal matters of my accident. Crashes of any kind can result in serious sacrifices. An auto accident caused by a drunk driver has negative impacts on teenagers, adults, and elderly.

Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are all vulnerable to the physical effects subsequent to a car accident. One may not comprehend their injuries - especially those that may have a lasting impact, because of the shock and adrenaline that a crash trigger. Cuts and burns may be a result of contact with sharp metal, broken glass, flying debris, explosions, friction, and hot temperatures. In a collision, a person can experience awkward body movements that can potentially damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Victims can lose limbs, suffer multiple fractures, undergo back and spinal injuries, and may experience traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Objects can puncture an organ or cause the compression of organs, resulting in internal bleeding and potentially shock. Unfortunately, car accidents can often result in death. All ages can experience any physical consequences from a car accident, teenagers, adults, and the elderly are not affected differently despite their age.

Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are all exposed to the emotional effects after a car accident. Problems can linger and eventually disrupt one’s career and relationships. Auto accidents can be the source of anxiety and depression and victims can experience devastating sadness and loss of interest in day-to-day doings. One can also experience misperception, delirium, hallucinations, and other types of major changes. Stress from a traumatic event can cause sleep disorders, a result of stress overstimulating the brain. Significant trauma can generate nightmares or flashbacks, and ultimately disturb one’s sleep. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly connected amongst car accident survivors. One diagnosed with PTSD may be unable to work or maintain crucial relationships with loved ones. It is also common among PTSD victims to choose to “self-medicate” and originate fixation issues. Although car accidents are so common, no age is exempt from the possible emotional effects of the disturbing experience.

Auto accidents can have negative financial effects no matter the age. Financial difficulties can even indirectly affect those related to the victim. Property damage is a vast concern with collisions. An auto accident can cause major external and internal damage to a vehicle. Most likely, the victim’s insurance will agree to pay for repairs. With a crash on the vehicle’s record, the car’s actual value will decrease, and the person with the damaged vehicle may have a difficult time selling their car after the incident. Medical expenses have the greatest financial effect on auto accident victims and their families. The costs can be exorbitant when it comes to one requiring surgical procedures, hospitalization, prescriptions, assistive devices, and ongoing care and attention. If one suffers from a serious physical debility after a car accident, the person’s home may have to undergo extensive adjustment. It is important for the victim to live in an accommodating home when it comes to their needs. However, remodeling costs can be financially damaging – and insurance may not cover it. Victims may suffer from partial or complete disability preventing them from returning to work. Lastly, car accident victims may not be able to complete simple tasks and now must pay for those tasks to be done. The costs of replacing other services can add up. There is no age discrimination when it comes to car accidents, all ages can be affected in the same ways.

Drunk driving is not to be taken lightly and it can be prevented by taking the right measures. It is not correct to generalize the physical, emotional, and financial effects of a car accident. Everyone is affected differently, and no two people are the same. The effects are subject to one’s exclusive injuries and other factors. An excessive amount of deaths and injuries have been occurring in the past few years and the victim is only chosen at random. It is only common courtesy to not drink and drive.