Hurt in a Crash With a Drunk Driver on Mardi Gras? You Have Options

February 19, 2021
  1. 1. A History of Mardi Gras
  2. 2. Drunk Driving Cases Present Unique Challenges
  3. 3. Hurt in a Crash With a Drunk Driver? Here’s What to Do Next
  4. 4. Tips for Having a Safe Mardi Gras
  5. 5. Hurt in a Crash With a Drunk Driver? Don’t Wait to Contact the Andy Citrin Team

Mardi Gras is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, especially in the South, and unfortunately, those big celebrations can involve drunk driving accidents. In 2018, 196 people died in 5,708 crashes involving suspected alcohol or drug use in Alabama.

These deaths are unnecessary and can easily be prevented. In this blog, we’ll discuss your options if you or a loved one has been in an accident with someone who has had too much to drink during Mardi Gras.

A History of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, has its origins in the Middle Ages. It’s the day before Lent, the Christian season of reflection and penitence marked by fasting. So Mardi Gras was the final day for people to consume food that was forbidden during the 40 days of Lent — meat, eggs, butter, and of course, alcohol.

The origins of the American Mardi Gras date back to the 17th century, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Liberville and Sieur de Beinville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a small celebration and named their landing spot Pout du Mardi Gras.

In the decades following, the holiday was celebrated with street parties, masked balls and extravagant dinners. In 1856, the Mistick Krewe of Comus, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen, organized a procession with marching bands and floats, which is the Mardi Gras we know today.

Drunk Driving Cases Present Unique Challenges

In 2015, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission deemed Mardi Gras as the most dangerous holiday in Louisiana with 10 deaths and 1,005 injuries from 599 car crashes, more than half of which involved alcohol.

Drunk driving cases are unique because there often are multiple sources of negligence involved, meaning more than one person or party can be held accountable for any injuries. This includes the bars and restaurants that overserve customers during Mardi Gras.

The Andy Citrin team has years of experience in holding accountable parties responsible. For example, Lisa was involved in a head-on crash while approaching a stop sign. The other driver crossed the middle lane and struck her car, deploying air bags in both vehicles.

After learning the driver was facing felony drunk driving charges, the team decided punitive damages were appropriate for Lisa’s case. The team filed a case on her behalf, and Lisa was awarded an appropriate settlement to cover her medical bills and damages.

Drunk driving cases are unique because there often are multiple sources of negligence involved, meaning more than one person or party can be held accountable for any injuries. This includes the bars and restaurants that overserve customers during Mardi Gras.

Hurt in a Crash With a Drunk Driver? Here’s What to Do Next

If you are involved in a car crash, there are important steps you should take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your case.

Additionally, contacting a personal injury lawyer should be on your list of to-dos. They will help you with all of the paperwork and fight for your right to fair compensation.

Tips for Having a Safe Mardi Gras

Attending a Mardi Gras celebration is a wonderful experience and should end with everyone arriving home safely. Plan before you leave to avoid being stranded with no reliable transportation. Here are some tips for ending the night on a good note.

Hurt in a Crash With a Drunk Driver? Don’t Wait to Contact the Andy Citrin Team

If you or a loved one is suffering after a Mardi Gras crash with a drunk driver, don’t wait to get in touch with our team. We offer free, confidential consultations so you can understand your options and decide what to do next. To schedule time with one of our personal injury lawyers, contact us online or call our office at 251-888-8888.

We look forward to speaking with you!

References

Alabama Department of Transportation. (2019). Crash Facts 2018. https://www.caps.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CrashFacts_2018.pdf

Drive Safely. (n.d.). One Crazy Carnival: Staying Safe During Mardi Gras. https://www.idrivesafely.com/defensive-driving/trending/one-crazy-carnival-staying-safe-during-mardi-gras

History.com. (2020, February 24). Mardi Gras. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

 

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