In both 2013 and 2014, Texas led the nation in the number of fatal accidents caused by drunk drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Moreover, Mothers Against Drunk Driving reported that 39.5 percent of all Texas traffic fatalities in 2013 were alcohol-related. If you spot a drunk driver, know that this driver is a hazard to himself, you, and everyone else on the roads. Here is what to do if you see a drunk driver.
If you suspect that a driver is driving while intoxicated, be sure to keep a safe distance; if you get too close, you may be putting yourself in danger. In addition to keeping a safe distance, take some mental notes about the driver’s behavior and as much as you can remember about the car (color, model, direction, license plate number) as you will need this information when you report the driver to the police.
Before using your cellphone, make sure that you pull over to a safe place on the road and that you have turned off your vehicle. Then, call the police to report the unsafe driver. You can call 1-800-525-5555 and provide the operator with the vehicle’s make, model, license plate number, and any other distinguishing factors. If you believe that the driver is an immediate threat to others’ safety, you should call 9-1-1 and provide them with the same information.
If the dangerous driver is the driver of a large truck, call the police immediately (once you pull over). You may want to call the number on the back of the truck if there is one. Once you are off the road, you can report an unsafe trucker online.
Drunk drivers are at fault for thousands of devastating accidents every year across the United States. If you are involved in an accident with a drunk driver in Texas, do you know your rights? To help you recover the compensation that you deserve and get on the right path to improving your future, be sure to call a compassionate car accident attorney serving Dallas and surrounding areas.
At the Law Office of Julie Johnson PLLC, we are ready to serve you. If you have questions about who is at fault after a drunk driving accident, how to prove fault, how the claims process works, or how much you may be able to recover, call our offices today. Contact us now at 214-290-8001.
