Common Types of Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers in Florida

Drunk driving continues to be a public safety concern in Florida, posing great risks to motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. While most people are aware of the dangers of driving under the influence, they still choose to do it, causing terrible car accidents.

According to statistics, drunk driving accidents caused 50 fatalities in 2022. These numbers keep rising each year, making Florida rank among states with high cases of alcohol-related accidents and deaths. Read on to learn why drunk drivers are more likely to cause car accidents and some of the most common types of accidents caused by drunk drivers in Florida.

Why Drunk Driving Is Likely to Lead to a Car Accident

Here are some reasons drunk driving can lead to road accidents:

Lack of concentration: Alcohol impairs concentration and slows down brain function, making it difficult to focus on the road and react quickly to potentially dangerous situations
Reduced coordination: Alcohol impairs eye coordination and motor skills. This causes drivers to struggle with tasks such as maintaining a steady speed or steering the car properly.
Poor decision-making: Intoxicated drivers are likely to make poor driving decisions, such as running red lights, speeding, or making illegal turns. These reckless actions significantly increase the chances of getting into an accident.
Inability to judge distance: Drunk drivers usually have difficulty judging the distance between their car and other vehicles or objects on the road. Issues like double or blurred vision also make it hard for them to see the road.
Drowsiness: Drinking too much alcohol can make you feel tired and drowsy behind the wheel. Falling asleep while driving is very risky as it can cause serious collisions.

Common Types of Collisions by Drunk Drivers

Some of the most common types of car accidents caused by drunk drivers include:

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are by far the most common type of accidents caused by drunk drivers. It occurs when two or more vehicles collide with each other head-on. Most head-on collisions are due to careless overtaking or swerving into oncoming traffic in another lane.

A dunk driver may not realize that they're veering off until it's too late. It's also hard for them to judge the distance between their car and an oncoming vehicle while overtaking, increasing the likelihood of collisions. Head-on collisions usually result in bad injuries because the force of impact is doubled due to the speed of each vehicle.

Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end collision happens when one vehicle runs into the back of another vehicle. This type of collision occurs mainly when the vehicle in front suddenly slows down or when the approaching vehicle travels faster than the front vehicle.

Rear-end collisions are usually less severe because both vehicles travel in the same direction, meaning their relative speeds are generally lower. They're common, especially when a drunk driver is engaging in other dangerous driving behaviors such as texting or speeding.

Side Impact Accidents (T-bone Collisions)

A side impact accident happens when a car is hit on its side. Most of these accidents occur at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield the right of way. They can result in serious injuries, especially for passengers seated at the point of impact. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), T-bone collisions mainly affect children because they're typically seated in the backseat, making them closest to the point of impact.

Accidents Involving Pedestrians

Drivers who are under the influence may not be aware of their surroundings, causing pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident occurs when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian crossing the road or using the sidewalk.

This type of accident is common at night when drunk driving rates are high. Besides the impaired judgment caused by alcohol, reduced visibility at night can make it difficult to notice pedestrians on the road.

Wrong-Way Accidents

A wrong-way accident happens when a vehicle travels against the designated traffic flow on a road. It's a common mistake committed by drunk drivers because alcohol impairs the ability to comprehend traffic rules. As such, a person driving under the influence might not realize that they're traveling on the wrong side of the road.

Wrong-way accidents can be fatal due to the potential for high-speed collisions. It's also hard to avoid a wrong-way accident because the sudden appearance of a car traveling in the wrong direction leaves little room for evasive maneuvers.

Sideswipe Accidents

A sideswipe accident occurs when a car brushes against another vehicle traveling in the same or opposite direction. It can result from one vehicle drifting out of its lane or the driver failing to check blind spots before changing lanes.

While most sideswipe accidents are usually minor, those that happen on highways at high speeds can be fatal. That's because the surprise impact can cause the vehicle to lose control since the sideswiped car is typically unprepared for the collision.

Common Fact Patterns for Drunk Driving Accidents

Common fact patterns involving drunk driving accidents include the following:

Time of the day: Most drunk driving accidents occur at night, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. They're also more likely to happen on weekends than on weekdays. That's because most people tend to consume alcohol at night and on the weekends.
Locations: Certain areas tend to have more cases of drunk driving accidents than others. For instance, there are more accidents in urban areas and places that have more bars and restaurants.
Age and gender: Teenagers and young adults are more likely to drive under the influence compared to seniors and older adults. Some studies also show that men are more likely to drive intoxicated compared to females.

Keep Yourself Safe on the Road

Drunk driving has claimed the lives of many young people in Florida, yet more people still get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. As a driver, it's your responsibility to keep yourself safe on the road by not driving while drunk. If you're going out to drink, have someone sober drive you back home or use alternative means such as Uber or a taxi.

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