Ohio is a beautiful state that many people love to call home. Sadly, there is always the risk of accidents while on the road. While many factors cause motor vehicle collisions, people driving under the influence of alcohol are responsible for their fair share of crashes.
Are drunk drivers always at fault for car accidents?
Surprisingly, no. It’s true that driving under the influence of alcohol, otherwise known as drinking and driving, is a crime. If one driver was driving perfectly safe and then got hit by a drunk driver driving recklessly, it could be easy to prove a drunk driver is at fault. But if the non-drunk driver was speeding, looking at their phone, or otherwise not driving safely, proving who’s at fault in a crash becomes difficult.
Determining who’s at fault after automobile collisions
Each person behind the wheel of an automobile has a set of duties to drive safely and follow the rules of the road. Distracted driving, speeding and driving recklessly are all breaches of this essential duty. Courts also look into causation after car accidents. In this case, causation looks into whether a sober driver would have suffered the same injuries if the other driver wasn’t drunk during this accident. The other party also needs proof that a drunk driver caused damages, which could involve physical injuries or vehicle damage.
Whether a driver who hit your vehicle was drunk or not, the same things to do after an accident apply. If there are injuries, contact emergency services. It’s also important to move yourself and other parties involved in an accident away from any roadways. Also, use your smartphone to collect any evidence if you suspect another driver was at fault for this accident.
