DC DUI Accident Lawyer

Car accidents have many causes, but when a crash involves a driver under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances, it is classified as a DUI accident. DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence, and if you are injured by an impaired driver, you should contact a DC DUI accident lawyer for guidance and representation throughout the legal process.

DUI Statistics and Risk in the United States

The numbers are alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

“Every day, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 42 minutes. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. These deaths were all preventable.”

Alcohol significantly increases the risk of a crash. A person’s alcohol level is measured by the weight of alcohol in a certain volume of blood. This is called Blood Alcohol Concentration, or BAC:

“At a BAC of .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, crash risk increases exponentially. Because of this risk, it’s illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05. However, even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In 2023, there were 2,117 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL.”

These statistics make it clear that any level of impairment can be deadly, highlighting the importance of prevention and legal protection for victims.

How to Decrease Your Likelihood of Being in a DUI Accident

While some DUI accidents cannot be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce risk:

Plan Ahead: If you plan to drink, arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or rely on a rideshare service.
Take the Keys: If a friend or family member is impaired, take their keys to prevent them from driving.
Choose a Non-Drinker: When going out in a group, ask one person to abstain from alcohol and serve as the designated driver.

Recognizing Impaired Drivers on the Road

If you suspect your driver—or another driver nearby—is under the influence, watch for signs such as:

Weaving or drifting across lanes
Crossing the center line
Slow or delayed response to traffic lights
Driving too fast or too slow
Abrupt or illegal turns
Signs of drowsiness, such as eyes closing

If you notice this behavior, ask the driver to pull over or safely remove yourself from the vehicle. If the situation is beyond your control, call 9-1-1 immediately.