Missy Wigginton

Missy Wigginton

Hello friends and family, I am Missy Wigginton, also known as Mama Justice. When meeting me, some people ask me how I got my name....

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Oxford Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Were you or someone you love a victim of a drunk driving accident? If so, then you deserve justice and fair compensation for your losses. Call Mama Justice immediately to see how we can help.

According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, more than 10,000 people die on Mississippi roads every year. In 2016, this equaled 18% of all traffic deaths within the state. Even more people suffered non-fatal injuries due to accidents involving an impaired driver.

Accidents involving impaired drivers aren’t always caused by alcohol. While drunk driving accidents are among the most common, drivers under the influence of illegal drugs or even prescribed medications can find their driving ability impaired. Some of the more harmful effects of drugs and alcohol while driving are:

  • Dulled reflexes
  • Poor judgment
  • Engaging in risky behavior
  • Increased chance of falling asleep while driving

Drunk and Impaired Driving Statistics

According to the United States Department of Transportation, 32 people die in drunk driving crashes every day. This number increased 14% between 2019 and 2020.

Alcohol reduces brain function and impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. This makes it impossible to safely operate a motor vehicle. As alcohol levels rise in a person’s system, the effects on the central nervous system increase. Alcohol levels are measured by the weight of alcohol in the blood. This is called Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). It is illegal to drive in the United States once the BAC reaches .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood, but even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In 2020, more than 2000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07. This means that even if someone has consumed very little alcohol, it is not safe to get behind the wheel of a car.

30% of fatal traffic accidents involve drunk driving. But alcohol isn’t the only substance that impairs your ability to drive. Here are a few examples:

  • Similar to alcohol, marijuana and other drugs slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times.
  • Cocaine and methamphetamine can cause aggressive and reckless behavior.
  • Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness, and other impairing side effects.
  • The use of two or more substances, including alcohol, can amplify the negative effects and make driving that much more dangerous.

56% of accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities involved drivers who tested positive for at least one drug. Driving while under the influence of drugs, whether they are prescription or illicit, is illegal in all 50 states. For this reason, it is imperative to know your rights and how to protect them if you are ever involved in an accident caused by an impaired driver.

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