Drunk Driver Accidents

In 2003, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, announced that the NUMBER ONE unintentional cause of death among individuals ages 1-64 was Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents.

According to the National Traffic Safety Administration and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2006:

Minnesota had 493 deaths from automobile crashes and 31% of those involved a driver who was legally intoxicated or drunk.

In Minnesota a driver is legally intoxicated or drunk when:

1. The person is 21 or older and driving a non-commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher,
2. The person is 21 or older and driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .04% or higher.
3. The person is under 21 and there is physical evidence of consumption present in the person's body.

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 169A.

Minnesota allows a Judge or Jury to consider punitive damages, or in other words, to punish the impaired driver, if there is evidence that the accident was caused by a driver:

1. With an alcohol content of .08% or higher;
2. Who was under the influence of a controlled substance; or
3. Who was under the influence of alcohol and refused to take a chemical test for intoxication.

Minnesota Statute 169A.76 (a) (1), (2), (3).

If you or a loved one were the crash was caused by a person under the influence of alcohol or drunk, contact one Beedem Law Office for a free consultation.  Call 612-305-1300 in the metro area or 800-300-9772 outstate.