After having a few drinks, some motorists decide to drink a cup of coffee with the hope that they will sober up. They then think that they can drive safely. When this type of driver gets behind the wheel, you might be involved in an accident in which you deserve compensation.

Factors That Affect BAC

The ability of a motorist to drive safely is influenced by his or her blood alcohol content (BAC). The BAC is affected by how many drinks the driver has had, how quickly he or she has consumed the alcohol, the food in the individual's stomach, and how much he or she weighs. Consuming caffeine does not reduce BAC. The only way to reduce BAC is to allow the blood to metabolize. 

Effects of Inebriation on Driving

Those who are drunk will struggle with vision problems. In particular, inebriation can impact depth perception. Eye muscles lose their precision, and this can lead to double vision. As a result, drunk drivers tend to focus on the road ahead of them and not on anything happening in their side vision. They might miss traffic signs and red lights. 

Due to a lack of depth perception, drunk drivers will often make bad decisions. For example, a drunk driver may not be able to effectively gauge his or her speed or may not be able to keep a safe distance from the car in front of him or her. 

Alcohol slows reaction time. This leads to the motorist not responding quickly enough when another motorist brakes or when another motorist changes lanes. If something jumps out in front of the motorist, he or she is less likely to brake in time.

The Effects of Drunk Driving On Your Injury Case

Because of the reckless behavior that a drunk driver engages in, you might collide with the driver. If he or she was running a red light and collided with you at an intersection, you may find it easier to prove that you were not at fault for the accident.

If you are involved in an accident involving a drunk driver, make sure to contact a drunk driving attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the defendant might attempt to argue that you were partially at fault for the accident. However, if you can prove that the other driver was under the influence, this can strengthen your case.