Drunk Driving Accidents: How Serious Are They?

Missouri Drunk Driving Statistics

One of the most common causes of accidents in Missouri is driving while intoxicated. Not only can drunk driving crashes cause significant injuries, but they can also result in fatalities. Drunk driving accidents are avoidable by making one critical decision — not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Read on to learn the statistics that point to the severity of drunk driving accidents in Missouri and throughout the United States.

Missouri Drunk Driving Statistics

When someone has a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or higher, the law in Missouri considers this person alcohol-impaired, and they cannot drive legally. According to Responsibility.org, the following Missouri statistics were recorded in 2018:

• 240 people died in drunk driving crashes.
• 26.1% of all fatal crashes were due to drunk drivers.
• 21 young people who were under 21 years of age died in alcohol-impaired crashes.
• 19.4% of all alcohol-impaired driving crashes involved individuals under 21 years old.
• 28.6% of intoxicated drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 – 0.14 were repeat offenders.
• 78.6% of intoxicated drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or more were repeat offenders.

National Drunk Driving Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that every day, roughly 28 people in the U.S. are killed in drunk driving crashes — concerningly, that’s one person every 52 minutes. Here are some of the latest stats you need to know:

• In 2019, 10,142 people died in drunk driving accidents
• Roughly one-third of all fatal crashes in the U.S. involve intoxicated drivers.
• From 2010 to 2019, over 10,000 people were killed in drunk driving accidents each year.

Holding a Drunk Driver Responsible for Your Injuries

Serious injuries need strong attorneys. Drunk driving crashes are a severe problem that leaves many individuals dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial hardships that come with the pain and suffering. Part of stopping drunk driving accidents is holding those responsible for injuries accountable for their actions. Taking legal action plays a huge role in obtaining compensation for the injured party and seeking justice for the wrongdoings of the drunk driver.

Contact Strong Law, P.C. today at (417) 887-4300. For complex legal matters, we are here for you every step of the way.