University of Florida football star T.J. McCoy and his girlfriend were significantly injured in a Gainesville accident after a Honda Civic reportedly ran into the scooter the two were riding near campus.
While their injuries were not life-threatening, both McCoy and his girlfriend were transported to a nearby medical center. McCoy’s father later posted on Facebook that police officers told him the driver of the car was likely drunk at the time of the crash. Police arrested a 22-year-old woman and charged her with misdemeanor DUI and causing damage to property.
A look at the dangers of drunk driving
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has compiled statistics from numerous credible sources on the dangers of drunk driving. For instance, nearly one-third of all fatal car accidents involve an intoxicated motorist or pedestrian, while about 25 percent of fatal crashes involving teens involved underage drinking of some form.
Furthermore, a 2012 survey found that more than 29 million people across the country have driven while under the influence of alcohol.
When drivers are intoxicated due to alcohol consumption, they experience delayed brain functions and may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid possible accidents. They cannot process information as quickly as a sober driver and may lack the proper hand-eye coordination and cognitive abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle.
The dangers of drunk driving are well known, and so there’s really no excuse for individuals to continue to engage in this negligent activity. If you have been injured in a car accident and you believe impaired driving was a factor, you may be able to seek compensation. For more information, contact a knowledgeable Bradenton personal injury attorney with Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.