What are the odds of being in a drunk driving accident in Detroit?

Detroit, MI – The numbers speak for themselves. In Michigan, a third of all traffic fatalities are the result of a drunk driving accident. In 2019, for instance, 303 people were killed in an OWI accident, out of the total 985 traffic fatalities. At the same time, almost 4,000 people were injured, some of them catastrophically. The chances of a Detroit resident being involved in a drunk driving accident depend on the time of the day as well as on the day of the week. 

For instance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nationwide most crashes caused by alcohol-impaired drivers occur between midnight and 3 am. That used to be the case in Michigan as well, but in recent years there’s been a change in trends. In 2020, most OWI accidents occurred between 9 and 10 pm, whereas in 2016 the most dangerous hour was from 1 and 2 am. The lowest number of OWI accidents was registered between 9 am and noon.

As to the most dangerous time of the week, no surprises here. If you’re going out at night over the weekend you need to look out for drunk drivers, as you have twice as many chances of being in a DWI crash on a Saturday night than on a Monday night.

As for the time of the year, Labor Day is the holiday when you’re more likely to be hit by a drunk driver, even worse than the 4th of July holiday.

No matter when you’re hit by a drunk driver, you should always talk to some experienced Detroit OWI accident lawyers as soon as possible if you want to recover all the damages you may be entitled to.

What’s the difference between OWI and OWVI in Detroit?

The legal limit for drunk driving in Michigan is .08 for non-commercial drivers. Truckers cannot have a blood alcohol content of more than .04, while people under the age of 21 shouldn’t have any alcohol in their system. 

If the driver that caused your accident appears to be intoxicated, the police will conduct a breathalyzer test to determine his BAC. A driver with a BAC of .08 or more can be charged with OWI, which stands for operating while intoxicated, and they may face criminal charges. 

However, some drivers can be severely impaired even if their BAC is below the legal limit. It is up to the investigating officer to decide after careful observation and perhaps a sobriety test if that person was fit to drive or not. If the officer considers that person was in no condition to drive, they may be charged with OWVI, which stands for operating while visibly intoxicated, no matter the result of the breathalyzer or blood test.

When you talk to seasoned Detroit accident lawyers, make sure to give them a full account of how the other driver behaved after the accident. Also, don’t forget to get the contact info of all eyewitnesses as their statements can also be used in a civil lawsuit. 

Attorneys near me

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