DUI collisions in California increase 75 Pct on Super Bowl Sunday

Tragedy after the Super Bowl: 49ers player, Delanie Walker loses relatives hours after the Super Bowl in 2013.  Aunt and uncle die from DUI crash right after the game last year.  Alice and Bryan Young of Pomona, Calif, pictured right with Delanie Walker.  The Los Angeles County couple was at the Super Bowl with their nephew and were killed barely hours after the big game Sunday night.

An article in the LA Weekly rightly warns Southern Californians to keep their eyes peeled this Sunday. Beer is usually a big part of Super Bowl celebrations. According to AAA of Southern California, DUI collisions in California increase 75 percent on Super Bowl Sunday compared to other Sundays in January and February.

In Los Angeles County alone, alcohol-related crashes increase by 55 percent on Super Bowl Sunday, according to a 10-year analysis of injury and fatal crashes by AAA.

AAA found that 276 fatal and injury crashes were reported on Super Bowl Sunday over a 10-year period. The last time the organization looked at these numbers in 2004, it found a 41 percent increase in DUI crashes versus other January and February Sundays. So, things are getting worse every year.

Tips to Avoid Getting in an Accident

These tragedies are entirely avoidable. There are several precautions you can take this Super Bowl Sunday to make sure that you, family members and friends are safe on Southern California’s roadways:

• Designate your sober driver before your party begins. If you don’t have a designated driver, call a cab, friend or family member, or, stay where you are for the night and do not drive until you are sober.
• Do not drink too much alcohol too fast. Make sure you have enough to eat and always keep track of how much you’ve had to drink.
• Never allow a friend to drive drunk.
• Make sure you are wearing your seatbelt.
• Keep phone numbers of local cab companies handy so your guests can use them.
• If you are hosting a party, make sure you serve plenty of food and stop serving alcohol after a certain time. Mocktails are also a good option.

If You are Involved in an Accident

If you have been involved in a car crash, it is important that you stop and remain at the scene until authorities arrive. Get important information from all parties involved such as insurance, contact information, driver’s license, etc. Take photographs of the crash scene, the vehicles and injuries. Get contact information for people who may have witnessed the incident. Get prompt medical attention for whatever injuries you may have suffered. Contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected.