A new study published in the journal Pediatrics has found that fewer children are being killed in drunk driving accidents. A 40 percent decline has been witnessed in the previous decade. The study also suggests that children are more likely to be killed in alcohol-related accidents when they are in the same car with an intoxicated driver, rather than in a car that is struck by a drunk driver.
The research suggests that children may be more at risk of suffering fatal injuries in such accidents because they may be less likely to be wearing a seat belt or to be properly restrained in a car seat when the drunk driving car accidents occur. The impaired drivers do usually survive these crashes, and in some cases they then go on to face criminal charges while coping with a major loss and great emotional grief.
When a drunk driving accident results in a fatality, this can result in very serious potential consequences for a driver in addition to emotional turmoil. The legal penalties for a related DUI conviction may include jail, probation, and a permanent criminal record. Often grief-stricken drivers fail to obtain the legal guidance they need during such difficult circumstances.
It is never a good idea to deal with drunk driving charges on your own. If you have been charged with a DUI-related crime in Arizona, whether it involved a car accident or not, it is important to seek the help of a Glendale DUI lawyer who may be able to guide you through the process and make sure that your rights are protected.
Source: Associated Press, “Kids’ DUI deaths: their drivers pose biggest risks,” May 4, 2014