While the world watches new laws and changes enacted by President Joe Biden in his first weeks of office, the country is preparing for a new distraction. Of course, I’m talking about the big game–The NFL Super Bowl LV which will be held this year in Tampa, Florida.
It’s a curious first for the league, where a play-off team plays the Super Bowl in their home stadium. And while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hopes it will bring money into the local economy, many are worried about more impacts from COVID-19 than just a home team playing the Super Bowl.
Still, many will attend Super Bowl parties and travelers will come from all over the world to see the event. The dark side of Super Bowl Sunday is that celebratory activities can lead to DUIs, personal injuries and wrongful deaths.
Here’s what you need to know about car accidents after the Super Bowl:
Super Bowl Sunday Car Crashes
Crash data from the University of Toronto investigation of car crashes on Super Bowl Sunday suggests that the first hour just after the Super Bowl is the most dangerous time for motor vehicle drivers. This is because many people are tourists, many people are drunk and emotions may also be high for those who were rooting for the losing team.
If you’ve been in a car accident, or you get into one after the Super Bowl in Tampa, it’s important to notify law enforcement and your insurance company. Especially if you suspect the offending driver is operating a car under the influence.
Florida has no fault laws, so both drivers must have insurance and share the cost of insurance claims paid. However, in the case of personal injury or wrongful death when a drunk driver is responsible, an attorney can help you secure settlement for medical bills, funeral costs and possibly even pain and suffering.
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The Issue: Drunk Driving After The Super Bowl
The University of Toronto study says car accidents are 40% more likely to occur in the hour after the Super Bowl than any other time on Super Bowl Sunday.
If you think that’s daunting, what’s more is that research conducted using San Francisco driver data suggests that people driving out driving during and after the Super Bowl are 117% more likely to experience a serious crash, resulting in wrongful death or personal injury, as a result of a drunk driver.
Drunk driving accidents are prevalent in the United States without events, like the Super Bowl, adding additional factors that make an accident more likely. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 30 people die of a drunk driving accident every single day.
The New England Journal of Medicine notes that in states where the home team lost the Super Bowl, even with the Super Bowl being held in a different state completely, drunk driving car accidents are 68% more prevalent.
In this unique season, made difficult due to COVID pandemic, Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both in the Super Bowl and are the home team. This conflates more opportunities for car accidents to occur.
All over the country, law enforcement takes the time just after the Super Bowl very seriously. In an article about 2019’s Super Bowl LIII, a writer for Kansas City’s KHSB-41 states, “Data […] from local municipal police departments show that DUI arrests during the last five years have declined by more than 11 percent, but local law enforcement agencies still planned to have extra patrols of dedicated officers looking for drunk drivers after the Patriots’ 13-3 victory.”
No doubt Tampa police officers will be stationed around Super Bowl LV, and all around the Bay, to arrest drunk drivers much like they do on New Year’s Eve and other holidays where celebrations include alcohol. Still, people should stay home, if possible, in the first hour after the Super Bowl ends, especially if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t pull out a win.
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Contact A Florida Personal Injury Law Firm
For a number of people living their lives in Florida, staying home after the Super Bowl may not be possible. If you experience a Super Bowl car accident, call Florin|Roebig for legal advice. We understand the attorney-client relationship is important and offer free consultation with no risk for you. There’s no disclaimer that will result in hidden fees or expectations. This consultation is totally free and confidential.
The law firm of Florin|Roebig is an experienced group of attorneys, practicing in Florida for more than 30 years. We have received awards and recognition and make time to give back to the community. We represent people who have experienced personal injury or lost a loved one due to a drunk driving car accident.
If you’ll be celebrating the Super Bowl in Florida, we hope you will have a designated driver or call an Uber. If you get into a car accident this Super Bowl Sunday, call the law firm of Florin|Roebig to see if you have a personal injury or wrongful death case. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you get your social media.
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