St. Patrick's Day is a popular holiday in Colorado. Most people use the day as a way to celebrate Irish culture and history. However, some people are more focused on the drinking aspect of March 17th. If you plan on drinking, make sure you plan for a safe ride home. However, even safe drivers may be at a greater risk of getting hit by impaired drivers. 

St. Patrick's Day Drunk Driving in Colorado

Some people may be staying away from celebrating with groups of revelers because of COVID-19. However, as Boulder County and Denver are in Level Yellow status, restaurants can be at 50% capacity and outdoor restaurants are supposed to have 6 feet between parties. That leaves room for a lot of people to go out celebrating St. Patrick's Day at bars and restaurants. 

There are also a number of Irish bar crawls planned for Denver, Boulder, and other cities in Colorado. With many drinkers starting to throw them back in the middle of the day, it can be hard to gauge impairment by the time the party starts to wind down. This could increase the number of drunk drivers out on Colorado roads, starting Saturday, March 13th and again on March 17th. 

After an Accident With an Impaired Driver

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “in 2016, 60 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Paddy's Day holiday period.” Recommended safety precautions include: 

• Designate a sober driver or have an alternate transportation plan ahead of time.
• If you don't have a designated driver, call a taxi or ridesharing service. 
• Never let a friend drive drunk.
• Don't ride in a vehicle with an intoxicated driver.

Even if you are not drinking or have a designated driver, beware of other drivers on the road who may be impaired. If you get into a car accident and suspect the other driver may be drunk, contact the police. Law enforcement does not show up to every accident but should respond when the other driver is drunk or tries to leave the scene of the accident. However, your top priority should be your safety. 

If anyone needs medical help, call 9-1-1. It is important to remember that some auto accident injuries can be tricky with symptoms showing up hours or even days later. If there is any chance of an injury, see a medical professional. Head, neck, and back injuries can be serious, even if they seem minor at first. 

Injury Lawsuit Against a Drunk Driver

A drunk driver is generally liable in a car accident because they were committing a crime that caused the accident. In a personal injury lawsuit, the injury victim can seek damages from the impaired driver to pay for the losses associated with the crash. Damages in a car accident can include: 

• Medical bills 
• Future medical care
• Loss of income
• Loss of future income 
• Pain and suffering

If you have questions about recovering damages after a car accident, contact an experienced Denver auto accident lawyer. Your attorney can explain your options, build a strong case, and help you recover compensation. Contact our offices today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.