Injuries Caused By Underage Drinking Are a Common Occurrence
Every year, thousands of American teenagers are hospitalized due to the excessive consumption of alcohol. Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that approximately 119,000 teenagers are treated for alcohol poisoning each year.
For parents of teenage children, it is crucial to be able to trust other parents in the community. Unfortunately, many parents throughout the United States allow underage drinking within their household. If your child has been injured due to the negligence of an irresponsible adult, it is time to seek out legal representation.
Underage Drinking Statistics
While most parents like to believe that their teenage child never consumes alcohol, studies have found that drinking is incredibly common among American teens. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 30% of high school students admitted to drinking within the past 30 day period. Young people between the ages of 12 and 20 consume approximately 11% of all alcohol sold within the United States on an annual basis.
The most dangerous thing an underage drinker can do is get behind the wheel of a car. Tragically, underage drinking and driving is alarmingly common. Over 20% of all male drivers under the age of 20 that suffered fatal car accident injuries in 2015 had traces of alcohol in their system. Unfortunately, 6% of all American high school students admit to drinking and driving. Excessive drinking leads to approximately 4,300 teen fatalities every single year. Adults that condone dangerous underage drinking may be liable for the injuries suffered based on their decisions.
What You Can Do
If your child suffers an injury after consuming alcohol at another family’s house, it is time to seek out legal assistance. Social host liability laws here in the state of Illinois allow the parents of injured victims to make claims against the responsible party’s homeowners insurance. An experienced legal team should assist your family in ensuring that you receive compensation for all of the medical bills and other damages that resulted from the injury.
Contact a Lake County Underage Drinking Liability Lawyer
At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our team of attorneys dedicate our careers to bringing justice to those who are impacted by the negligence of others. If another parent knowingly allows your child to consume alcohol without your consent, and they suffered injuries as a result, it is time to pursue legal action. To schedule a free consultation with a Waukegan social host liability attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.