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Personal injury attorney and survivor of a crash caused by a drunk driver Steven Benvenisti reminds New Jersey residents of the consequences of drinking and driving as New Year’s Eve approaches.
Teaneck, N.J. (Vocus/PRWEB) December 29, 2012 – New Jersey personal injury attorney and survivor of a crash caused by a drunk driver Steven Benvenisti today urged the state’s residents to monitor their alcohol consumption and drive safely this holiday season.
“With holiday celebrations upon us and New Year’s Eve right around the corner, we urge everyone to act responsibly and to not drive after drinking,” said Benvenisti, a partner of the New Jersey personal injury firm of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. “When you drink and drive, you put yourself and others in serious danger and risk criminal charges.”
Benvenisti is a well-known advocate for driving safety whose efforts to prevent drunk-driving car crashes include his program, “Spring Break: A True Story of Hope and Determination.”
The program discusses Benvenisti’s experience of being a pedestrian struck by a drunk driver while he was on a college spring break trip in Florida many years ago. The horrific crash crushed his legs and left him in a coma for 10 days. He spent six months in the hospital, enduring 15 surgeries and intense rehabilitation. After being blessed with a full-recovery, he has made it his mission to put an end to drinking and driving.
The attorney noted that anyone driving after consuming alcohol in New Jersey faces a heightened risk of being arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) during the holiday season.
According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, the state’s “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” drunk driving enforcement campaign will run through January 2 and involve 95 law enforcement agencies throughout the state. In 2011, the New Jersey holiday season drunk driving crackdown resulted in 1,877 DWI arrests and 12,765 additional tickets issued.
“One would hope that risking injuring or killing others, facing major fines, losing your driver’s license and going to jail would deter one from getting behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking,” Benvenisti said. “Unfortunately, statistics show that too many people choose to ignore these consequences.”
He pointed to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics showing that the winter holiday season is particularly dangerous. For instance, in December 2010 alone, 2,597 people across the country lost their lives in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 30 percent (775) of those involved an alcohol-impaired driver, according to the NHTSA.
Benvenisti said these crashes can be avoided by making responsible decisions. For instance, if one plans on drinking during a holiday celebration, he suggests:
- Designating a sober driver.
- Using public transportation.
- Calling a family member, friend or someone else who can be trusted to provide safe and sober transportation home.
“Teenagers, in particular, should always call a parent for a ride home – if they are faced with the prospect of driving after drinking or getting into a car being driven by someone who has been drinking,” Benvenisti said.
The attorney noted that even the safest individuals can become victims of negligent and reckless drivers. If involved in a car crash that is caused by another, it’s crucial to contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer to learn of one’s legal rights and options, he said.
“Our firm believes strongly in doing everything we can to promote safe driving,” he said. “And when crashes do occur, we are dedicated to making sure that careless drivers are held accountable for their actions and their victims are compensated for the harm they’ve suffered.”
About Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
The New Jersey personal injury lawyers and dedicated staff of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., provide compassionate and skilled legal help to those injured by the negligence of others. Since 1981, the firm has secured more than $350 million in verdicts and settlements for clients throughout North Jersey and New York, including the communities of Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Toms River, Trenton, Clifton, Camden, Brick Township, Woodbridge Township, Bergen Co., Middlesex Co., Somerset Co., Warren Co., Sussex Co., Monmouth Co., Mercer Co., Ocean Co., Hudson Co., Passaic Co., Essex Co., Union Co., Morris Co., Teaneck, Fort Lee, Paramus, Hackensack, Hoboken, Secaucus, Englewood, Mahwah, Bergenfield, Union City, North Bergen, Ridgewood, Bayonne, Ridgefield, Belleville, Alpine, New Milford and Atlantic City.
The firm’s practice areas include personal injury, auto accidents, drunk driving accidents, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, slip and fall, truck accidents and workers’ compensation.
For more information about Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., call (800) LAW-2000 or use the firm’s online contact form.
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Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations. No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.
