Summary
Holiday DUI crashes rise sharply in California during December due to increased travel, gatherings, and impaired drivers on the road. This guide explains why the risks peak, the injuries often associated with them, how liability works, and the steps victims should take. Learn how Farahi Law Firm supports families during the holiday season.
Table of Contents
Holiday DUI crashes become a serious threat each December as celebrations, family travel, and late-night events increase roadway risks across California.
Whether you’re driving through downtown Santa Clara near Plaza de César Chávez or heading to gatherings across urban areas, the mix of alcohol consumption and high-volume travel times creates a perfect storm for danger. Drunk driving incidents often spike during the holiday season, especially on New Year’s Eve, making this one of the riskiest times to be on the road.
To stay prepared, it’s essential to understand why these crashes surge and what steps can be taken to safeguard your family.
Why DUI Crashes Surge During December
December consistently shows higher rates of holiday DUI crashes due to predictable behavior patterns:
- More holiday parties and social events
- Increased travel to family gatherings
- A rise in driving under the influence late at night
- Seasonal stress that leads to poor decision-making
- Reduced visibility during nighttime driving
These factors combine with longer hours of darkness and more impaired drivers on major freeways, which heightens the likelihood of car accidents and serious injuries. Even with sobriety checkpoints and heightened patrols by law enforcement officers, alcohol-related crashes continue to climb during the holidays.
Statistics on Holiday DUI Crashes in California
Data from federal sources shows how dangerous December has become for traffic safety.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 1,000 people nationwide died in drunk driving traffic crashes during December 2023.
- Over the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, more than 4,900 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes during December.
- Nighttime conditions remain especially hazardous. About 30% of drivers involved in fatal crashes between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. had been legally impaired at the time.
- According to the CDC, alcohol-impaired driving takes 32 lives every day in the United States, which means someone dies in a crash involving an impaired driver roughly every 45 minutes.
In California, especially in densely populated regions such as Santa Clara, San Jose, and Los Angeles, traffic fatalities tend to increase during peak travel times. These numbers show why holiday DUI dangers demand urgent attention.
Common Injuries in Holiday DUI Collisions
Victims of holiday DUI crashes often experience severe, life-changing harm. Some of the most common injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Sudden impacts from a motor vehicle accident can cause swelling, bleeding, and long-term cognitive damage.
Spinal Injuries
Impaired drivers often cause high-speed crashes that lead to permanent mobility loss or chronic pain.
Bone Fractures
Broken ribs, limbs, and pelvis fractures frequently occur in head-on or side-impact collisions.
Pedestrian Injuries
Busy streets, poor visibility, and impaired driving contribute to a higher number of pedestrian impacts in December.
These injuries typically require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.
Who Is Liable in a Holiday DUI Crash?
Responsibility in alcohol-related crashes can extend beyond drunk drivers. Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be liable:
- The impaired driver who caused the collision
- Bars or restaurants that overserved a visibly intoxicated person
- Social hosts in limited dram shop scenarios
- A negligent third party, such as a distracted driver
- Employers, if the driver was working during the crash
Liability depends on evidence such as blood alcohol concentration records, police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage.
Steps to Take Immediately After a DUI Crash
If you experience a collision caused by impaired driving, taking the proper steps early helps strengthen your case.
1. Get Medical Care
Seek immediate treatment to document injuries accurately.
2. Contact Police
Request an official report and ensure officers test the other driver’s blood alcohol level.
3. Preserve Evidence
Gather photos, videos, witness information, and damaged property documentation.
4. Avoid Speaking With Insurers Alone
Insurance representatives may try to minimize your claim.
5. Contact a Lawyer
The best drunk driving accident lawyers in Santa Clara can guide you through the legal process and help protect your rights.
How Farahi Law Firm Helps Victims During the Holiday Season
The holidays are meant to be a time of connection—not suffering caused by impaired drivers. When families are affected by driving under the influence, Farahi Law Firm – Santa Clara provides urgent support to help them recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Our team handles claims for wrongful injury or deaths caused by DUI incidents strategically, ensuring victims have access to medical care quickly and receive strong legal representation. We analyze blood alcohol concentration results, investigate traffic crashes, and pursue full compensation for losses.
Whether the crash occurred after holiday parties, during nighttime driving, or near busy areas like El Camino Real in Santa Clara, our award-winning injury attorneys understand the heightened risks this time of year brings. We work tirelessly to help victims secure justice, and we are widely recognized as one of the best drunk driving accident lawyers in Santa Clara.
FAQs
Call 911, seek medical attention, gather evidence, and contact our lawyer immediately.
Yes. This night consistently shows higher rates of alcohol-impaired driving incidents and traffic fatalities.
Yes. A criminal case does not prevent you from filing a civil claim for damages.
You may still pursue compensation. Any impaired driving can establish liability.
Yes. Choosing a sober driver or ride-share is one of the most effective ways to prevent alcohol-related crashes.
Get the Support You Need After a Holiday DUI Accident
Holiday DUI crashes cause devastating harm each December, but victims do not have to face the aftermath alone. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by an impaired driver, our team is here to help. We will fight for accountability, ensure you access proper medical care, and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can support you during this challenging time.
