When there is a fatal accident involving alcohol use, the person who was drinking may survive, while someone who was completely sober may pass away. This certainly happens, and it has led some people to repeat the common idea that drunk drivers are less likely to pass away — and more likely to take someone else’s life — in a wreck.
It’s a daunting thought. While it would obviously be best if everyone survived in car accidents and there were zero fatalities every year, it can feel unfair to think that those who are making these critical mistakes — such as driving under the influence — could be costing others their lives. Is this really something that happens?
It does happen, but the prevalence is a myth
Yes, this absolutely does happen in some cases. But does it happen “most of the time”? Certainly not. In some reports, roughly two-thirds of those who pass away in drunk driving accidents are impaired, while the other third is not.
This is important to note because it counters the inaccurate idea that alcohol can make you safer during a crash by helping you relax — another oft-repeated myth. It’s not true. Alcohol drastically increases your odds of being killed in an accident.
But what about the other third?
Of course, these reports also do show that drunk drivers are a very real threat for those who only drive sober. They can cause accidents in unexpected and unavoidable ways, such as driving the wrong way down the freeway.
If you have lost a loved one in one of these tragic car wrecks, you definitely need to know about all of your legal options. While money won’t ever bring your loved one back, a lawsuit can help you hold the guilty party responsible.