Driving under the influence of alcohol is incredibly dangerous and puts other drivers in harm’s way. Those who choose to drive drunk are also more likely to do it on multiple occasions. In fact, intoxicated drivers involved in fatal accidents are 4.5 times more likely to have previous DUI charges. This is unfortunately true for a local Houston man with three prior DUI convictions who is now charged with murder after he caused a fatal accident.
A Houston man was recently charged with murder following a fatal drunk driving accident. The victim, Eduardo Tovias, was driving down Bammel North Houston Road, when Jeffery Davis slammed into him—leaving Tovias dead at the scene. This fatal accident marked the fourth time Davis was charged with a DUI – the three prior charges resulted in convictions.
Drunk Driving and Repeat Offenders
Drunk driving remains a major cause for concern in Houston. Since 2010, Houston has averaged over 5,000 drunk driving crashes annually. This equates to 14 crashes per day and more than one crash every hour, with fatalities across Houston remaining above 300 each year.
What is most alarming, however, is that drunk drivers are extremely likely to be repeat offenders. In fact, statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) show more than one-third of convicted drunk drivers have a previous DUI on their record. On average, those who drive drunk will drive intoxicated an alarming 80 times before they are caught. Studies show the odds of being involved in such an accident increase with each DUI arrest.
Why Drunk Driving is So Dangerous
Consuming just one alcoholic drink impacts the human body. A driver is considered drunk if he or she has a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher. Drunk drivers are more likely to cause motor vehicle accident than sober drivers. Intoxication accidents can result in severe, life-altering injuries that require lifetime medical care.
Driving intoxicated can frequently lead to severe accidents, as impaired drivers often contribute to incredibly dangerous crashes involving speeding, driving the wrong-way, and crossing the median of an interstate. These actions can cause serious injuries to a crash victim, including:
Spinal Injuries
Injuries to an area like the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, and other back injuries can cause spinal discs to slip or rupture, resulting in nerve damage.
Neck Injuries
Injuries to the neck following a drunk driving accident are incredibly common due to the vulnerability of the neck. As such, whiplash is the most widely reported motor vehicle accident injury. The impact of a collision can crush the trachea, causing permanent difficulties relating to eating, breathing, and moving.
Brain Injuries
A brain injury can happen when an accident with a drunk driver causes the neck to jolt, resulting in the head hitting against a surface, like the car’s roof, window, or steering wheel.
Chest Injuries
Injuries to the ribs and sternum are fairly common following an accident with an intoxicated driver. These injuries can be particularly dangerous, as splintered or broken ribs can puncture organs like the heart and lungs.
Internal Bleeding
Motor vehicle accidents can cause internal injuries and associated internal bleeding. Even one ruptured blood vessel can cause a victim to bleed out internally.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, wrongful deaths are frequently associated with drunk driving. Drunk driving should never occur, as it is a negligent act by the intoxicated driver, which puts others in danger. When a loved one dies at the hands of a drunk driver, the injured party has a legal right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Houston Drunk Driving Attorneys
Deciding to drive drunk or intoxicated is a decision no one should make. This incredibly negligent behavior is entirely avoidable and puts many other unsuspecting drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others on or near the roadways at risk of injury or death. At Ramsey Law Group, our Houston car accident lawyers fight to help victims obtain the compensation they deserve and stand ready to hold negligent drivers accountable for the injuries and damages they cause. If you or someone you know was injured in an accident with a drunk or intoxicated driver, contact Ramsey Law Group today for a free consultation.
