How Floridians Can Have a Safe St. Patrick’s Day

If you’re planning to party like the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, make sure you think about your own safety and that of others first. Here are several tips to help you have a fun yet safe St. Patrick’s Day and protect you from getting injured in an auto accident.

St. Patrick’s Day Safety Tips

Statistics indicate drunk driving is involved in about one-third of all St. Patrick’s Day auto accidents. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend this year, many people will be celebrating and out on the road afterward. Here are the best tips to keep you safe on the lucky holiday.

Make a plan before you head out
Decide how much you will drink and who will drive you home. Designated drivers are the best way to keep yourself safe after partying for St. Patrick’s Day. You can treat the designated driver to a free meal in exchange for the favor.

Limiting your alcohol intake will also help you from experiencing any pedestrian injuries. It’s just another way to stay safe and still have fun.

If you can’t designate a driver, make plans to call a cab or an Uber driver for a ride home. Another plan is to celebrate at a hotel or at a friend’s home where you can stay the night. It’s vital to have a plan in place so that you aren’t tempted to get behind the wheel after drinking, and you’re not relying on another inebriated person to drive you home.

Drink wisely
If you’re prone to losing valuables when you drink, leave your fancy jewelry at home and keep the designer purse in your closet. Also, make sure to never take your eyes off your drink. Don’t leave it unattended, or you may risk becoming the victim of someone else’s dangerous plan.

Eat and drink water while you’re partying
You’re setting yourself up for problems if you drink on an empty stomach. Enjoy Irish food like corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie along with your green beer. The food will help your body absorb the alcohol. Also, make sure to drink water in between your alcoholic drinks. The water will help your body metabolize the alcohol faster and keep you hydrated.

Be a good friend
Don’t let your friends drive if they have had too much to drink. Take their keys and order a ride home for them. By doing so, you’ll protect your friend and possibly others from getting injured in an auto accident. If you’re hosting the party, let your friend stay over for the night.

Drive defensively

If you’re the designated driver, you need to take extra precautions when you’re on the road. Buckle up and make sure everyone else in the vehicle is also wearing their seat belts. Drive slowly near areas with heavy pedestrian traffic and through intersections, where accidents are most likely to occur. Keep watch for these signs of drunk drivers:

• Delayed responses to traffic signals
• Driving on the shoulder, sidewalks, or lawn
• Driving on top of the white or yellow lines
• Driving at speeds far below or above speed limit
• Driving without headlights on
• Accelerating or decelerating at the wrong times
• Stopping without reason
• Making sudden, slow, or illegal turns
• Tailgating
• Weaving or drifting between lanes

If you see any of these warning signs while driving, pull over as soon as you can. Call 911 and report the driver and their license plate number. If you can’t pull over, allow as much room as possible between you and the other driver.

If You’re Involved in an Auto Accident on St. Patrick’s Day

Florida is still a no-fault state for car insurance claims. This means that if you are injured, your own car insurance will cover the damages first, even if the other driver was at fault for your accident. At least up to $10,000.

However, if your injuries are truly serious and expensive, the only way to receive the compensation you deserve may be to file a lawsuit. Remember, though, Florida law requires personal injury cases to be filed within four years of the accident. If you are involved in an accident, it’s important to get a medical report and a personal injury claim filed as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Auto accident claims in our state can be complicated. You need the help of an experienced Call today for a free case review.

About the Author: 

Lawlor, White & Murphey in 1998. Since 1995, Mr. Lawlor’s trial advocacy and litigation skills, as well as his wide-ranging legal expertise, have provided plaintiffs and their families with a distinct advantage when seeking financial compensation and justice for injuries caused by the negligence of others. Mr. Lawlor is an EAGLE member of the Florida Bar Association and an active member of the American Association for Justice, the Broward County Justice Association, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and several professional associations.