While traffic laws differ in every state, some rules are standard. It is illegal to drive after drinking a significant amount of alcohol in every jurisdiction across the United States. State statutes generally enforce a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08%.
Despite the consistency in drunk driving laws from one location to the next, violations of drunk driving statutes are relatively common. People who are under the influence get behind the wheel, and sometimes they cause crashes. Drunk drivers can put people in the hospital. The collisions they cause also lead to thousands of preventable deaths every year in the United States.
For those in Louisiana and specifically in Baton Rouge, the risk of encountering a dangerous drunk driver may be higher than it is elsewhere.
Baton Rouge has the highest rate of drunk driving fatalities
Simply looking at the number of drunk driving crashes or deaths that occur does not give an accurate idea of the extent of the risk. Researchers tend to adjust those figures based on population to provide consistency when comparing a location like Baton Rouge with a much more densely populated area, such as New York City.
After making those adjustments based on population, Baton Rouge stands out as the most dangerous municipality in the country for drunk driving collisions. A review of crash fatality data from 2022 shows that Baton Rouge, in particular, has an alarmingly high number of fatal drunk driving crashes.
Researchers found that Baton Rouge had 10.4 drunk driving fatalities for every 100,000 residents. That figure is more than twice the national average, which was approximately 4.8 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents.
How can families seek justice afterward?
Typically, the state prosecutes drivers who are over the legal limit if they cause collisions. Those grieving the loss of a loved one may also have the right to demand that they take accountability for the impact of their choices.
Most drivers have insurance policies, but insurance coverage simply cannot offset the lifelong financial impact of losing an immediate family member. Those grieving the unnecessary loss of life caused by a drunk driver may want to consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
In cases where the state has successfully prosecuted the drunk driver, surviving family members may have a very strong case. Even if the state did not have the evidence necessary to bring charges or secure a conviction, wrongful death lawsuits are often successful where prosecution is not.\
Holding a drunk driver accountable by filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help give families closure. Those hoping to pursue justice in the civil courts may need help evaluating their situation to determine if they are able to take legal action.