One of the most common reasons that intoxicated driving is dangerous is due to the fact that people are often unaware of their limited capacity. Alcohol can affect an Illinois driver in many ways, and drivers may not comprehend that they are unable to safely drive a vehicle in their current state. Each person is different, and alcohol will impact people in different ways. However, each driver is responsible for knowing when they cannot drive without placing themselves and others in harm’s way.
For some people, one drink is enough to cause impairment. While the blood alcohol content limit is .08%, a driver could still cause a serious accident even if his or her BAC is not at that level. There is no excuse for intoxicated driving or operating a vehicle in a manner that is reckless or negligent. If you are the victim of an alcohol-related accident, you may benefit from learning more about your options for recourse.
How many drinks is too many?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for knowing the exact point when a driver is drunk or too intoxicated to drive. It is important for every driver to know his or her limits and the impact of one, two or more drinks. Consider the following information about numbers of drinks and their potential impact on a driver:
- Two drinks — Two drinks may be enough for a driver to lose some visual focus and inability to multitask.
- Three drinks — Three drinks can result in reduced coordination, difficulty steering the vehicle and slower response to hazards.
- Four drinks — Four drinks are typically enough to bring one’s BAC to .08%. After four drinks, a driver has short-term memory loss, lack of speed control and more.
More than four drinks can cause a person’s BAC to rise to dangerous levels, and a person will be completely unable to get behind the wheel without harming himself or herself, as well as every other driver on the road.
Your options as a victim
Your options as the victim of a drunk driving accident may include seeking compensation through a civil claim. An assessment of your options can provide you with insight regarding how you can seek justice, pursue recovery of your losses and put the pieces back together after a traumatic event. If you believe that you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, you will benefit from seeking guidance regarding the legal options available to you.