Beware of Drunk Drivers: The Dangers of Blackout Wednesday

 Posted on November 21, 2017 in Hartford personal injury lawyer

In many areas, the day before Thanksgiving is quickly becoming one the biggest partying days of the entire year. Bar owners and news outlets began noticing an uptick in food and liquor sales on “Thanksgiving Eve” several years ago, earning the day the ominous-sounding nickname of “Blackout Wednesday.” The moniker is a play on Black Friday—the retail boom that takes place on the day after Thanksgiving—but the word “blackout” implies the overconsumption of alcohol. Unfortunately, many of those who overindulge on Blackout Wednesday will still try to drive home, placing themselves, their passengers, and others on the road in serious danger of injury or death.

A Perfect Storm

There are many factors that come together on the day before Thanksgiving that makes it such an appealing day to party. Blackout Wednesday revelers often include a large number of college students who have returned home for the holiday and who make plans to celebrate with high school and childhood friends—usually at bars or similar establishments. In addition, most adults do not have to work or otherwise be up early on Thanksgiving Day, giving them the freedom to drink more the night before than they otherwise might. Some begin as soon as work ends on Wednesday and continue well into the night.

Getting Home Requires Planning

When making plans for Blackout Wednesday, many people neglect the important consideration of how they will get home. Or, they may plan to take a taxi or an Uber if they get “too drunk,” but then they convince themselves that they are fine to drive. Whatever the reasons may be, far too many intoxicated individuals will get behind the wheel. In most years, alcohol-related fatalities on Thanksgiving Eve exceed those on both St. Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Eve.

Negligence Per Se in Drunk Driving Accidents

Determining fault is a major part of any accident in which someone is injured or killed, but when the accident was caused by one party violating the law, the case often becomes much easier. Connecticut courts recognize the legal doctrine of negligence per se which means that a party who causes damages due to a violation of the law is presumed to be liable for the damages caused. Negligence per se typically applies to drunk driving accidents, so if you have been injured by a drunk driver, you will likely be eligible to collect compensation for your injuries.

If you plan to be out and about on the night before Thanksgiving, be safe and watch out for drunk drivers. Sometimes, however, vigilance is not enough, and accidents happen anyway. To learn more about your options for collecting damages after an accident, contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney. Call 860-290-8690 for a free consultation at Woolf Law Firm, LLC today.

Sources:

http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/11/16/blackout-wednesday-gains-popularity-as-pre-thanksgiving-trend.html

http://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/12965279-74/blackout-wednesday-tops-st-patricks-day-new-years-eve-for-drunken-driving