How common are DUI crashes in Louisiana?

Drunk driving accidents happen every day when you look at the national statistics. Since many happen at night, some drivers actively try to avoid driving after dark. Remember, even if you’re sober, you can get hit by a driver who is not.

How great is the risk in Louisiana specifically? One report looked at the DUI fatalities in 2018 and found that Louisiana ranked 9th out of 50 states for that year. That is to say, only eight states had higher DUI fatality rates for the year.

It is important to note that this is a rate, not a total. It is based on the fact that 4.64 people passed away in these accidents for every 100,000 residents. It also only counted accidents in which the BAC of one driver was at least 0.08%.

Rates tell a better story than totals because they even things out for states with different populations. For instance, places like Texas, New York and California have massively higher populations than Louisiana — or most other states, for that matter — and so they often have the highest totals. Looking at the rate helps to illustrate the relative risk for people regardless of how many others live in their state with them.

In any case, it is clear that drunk driving accidents are fairly common. All drivers have to know what risks they face when they get behind the wheel. If you get hit by a drunk driver and you suffer serious injuries, you also need to know what legal options you have to seek compensation for your losses. The consequences of an accident with a drunk driver can last for a lifetime, so make certain that you have appropriate assistance with your claim.