Every year, the holiday season brings celebration, travel, and long-awaited time with family and friends. But December and January also mark one of the most dangerous times on California roads. DUI-related accidents spike across Los Angeles, Riverside, and the rest of the state. The combination of holiday parties, New Year celebrations, winter travel, and alcohol consumption creates a perfect storm that puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk.
Even if you are driving safely, someone else’s decision to drink and drive can change your life in seconds.
Here is why DUI crashes increase during the winter months, what you can do to stay safe, and what your rights are if you are injured by an impaired driver.
Why DUI accidents surge in December and January
Many factors contribute to the increase in impaired driving during the holiday season. Understanding them helps explain why these months are especially dangerous.
1. Holiday parties and social gatherings
December is filled with work events, family celebrations, holiday dinners, and end-of-year outings. Alcohol is often part of the celebration, and many people feel pressure to drink even when they plan to drive. As the night goes on, judgment declines, and people overestimate their ability to drive safely.
2. New Year’s Eve is one of the highest-risk nights of the year
New Year’s Eve consistently ranks as one of the top nights for DUI arrests and DUI-related crashes nationwide. Bars, clubs, and parties stay open late, and many people drink far more than usual. Combined with heavy traffic just after midnight, collisions increase dramatically.
3. Out-of-town visitors unfamiliar with Los Angeles roads
Visitors come to LA for the holidays, theme parks, family gatherings, and warm weather. But unfamiliar streets, confusing freeway interchanges, and late-night travel often lead to impaired or distracted driving.
4. Early sunsets and nighttime driving
In December and January, it gets dark early. Night driving increases the risk of accidents, and impaired drivers are more likely to be on the road during late hours.
5. Stress and seasonal depression
The holidays are not easy for everyone. Seasonal stress, financial pressure, loneliness, and emotional strain sometimes lead people to drink more heavily or rely on alcohol to cope.
6. “Holiday DUI culture” and social norms
Certain holiday celebrations normalize drinking. Phrases like “one more drink,” “holiday cheer” or “we only do this once a year” encourage unsafe habits. Unfortunately, this mindset leads to poor decisions behind the wheel.
7. Fewer rideshare drivers during peak times
Uber and Lyft demand often spikes during the holidays, and surge pricing may discourage people from calling a ride. When wait times are long, some decide to drive themselves instead.
How DUI accidents impact victims
A DUI collision is different from a regular accident. These crashes often involve higher speeds, more severe injuries, and sudden impacts because impaired drivers:
- Do not brake in time
- Drift into other lanes
- Drive the wrong way
- Run red lights or stop signs
- Lose control on curves
- Misjudge distance and speed
Victims often suffer injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and spine injuries
- Internal injuries
- Permanent disability
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of mobility
Families are affected too, especially when the accident involves children or results in long-term medical needs.
The most devastating part is the fact that DUI accidents are completely preventable. They happen because someone chose to drive while intoxicated.
California takes DUI accidents seriously
When a drunk or drug-impaired driver causes an accident, the legal consequences can be severe. California law allows victims to pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Future lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
In many DUI cases, victims may also pursue punitive damages. This is additional compensation meant to punish the driver for willful or reckless behavior.
DUI driving is not a simple mistake. It is a choice that puts everyone around the driver at risk.
Why DUI cases are stronger than standard injury claims
Unlike other accidents, DUI cases often involve clearer evidence of negligence.
Evidence may include:
- Police reports
- Field sobriety tests
- Breath or blood tests
- Eyewitness statements
- Bar receipts or surveillance footage
- Social media posts showing drinking
- Prior DUI history
- Arrest records
Insurance companies know that juries take DUI cases seriously. For that reason, they often try to settle quickly. However, early offers are usually far too low and do not cover the real cost of injuries or long-term care.
Having an attorney ensures that the full extent of your injuries and losses is documented and considered.
What to do if you are hit by a drunk driver during the holidays
If you are involved in a DUI-related accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can protect your health and your legal claim.
1. Call 911 right away
Police documentation is especially important in DUI cases. The responding officer will assess the driver and conduct appropriate testing.
2. Seek medical care
Even if you feel okay at the moment, injuries can take hours or days to appear. Holiday stress also makes people overlook symptoms.
3. Take photos and videos
Document:
- The scene
- Vehicle damage
- Your injuries
- Any alcohol containers visible
4. Get witness information
Witnesses tend to be more helpful in DUI cases because behavior is easier to notice.
5. Do not speak with insurance companies before getting legal advice
Insurers may call quickly and try to get a statement that limits your claim. You do not have to answer their questions without an attorney present.
6. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible
DUI cases move quickly, and evidence like surveillance footage or bar receipts can disappear. Early legal support makes a major difference.
How Estrada Law Group helps victims of DUI accidents
. At Estrada Law Group, we understand how stressful recovery can be and how complicated insurance claims become during the holiday season.
Our team helps you by:
- Investigating the crash
- Collecting police records and evidence
- Preserving video footage
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Working with medical providers
- Documenting physical and emotional injuries
- Pursuing all available compensation
- Considering punitive damages when appropriate
We handle everything so you can focus on healing.
How to stay safe on California roads during December and January
Even the safest drivers need to be extra cautious during the winter months. Here are simple steps to reduce risk:
1. Avoid driving late at night when DUI activity is highest
Peak times are midnight to 3 a.m.
2. Plan your transportation before drinking
Decide ahead of time to use Uber, Lyft, or a designated driver.
3. Watch for swerving, drifting, or erratic drivers
If someone is driving unpredictably, keep your distance.
4. Drive slower in holiday traffic
Crowded streets increase reaction time.
5. Report dangerous drivers
You can call CHP if you suspect someone is driving under the influence.
6. Avoid distractions
Phone use, adjusting music, and eating in the car increase your risk.
7. Check weather conditions
Rain and fog reduce visibility and make DUI behavior even more dangerous.
Conclusion
December and January are meant to be joyful months, but they also bring a significant rise in DUI-related accidents across California. Increased drinking, late-night celebrations, winter travel, and busy roads create higher risks for everyone. Even responsible drivers can become victims when someone else chooses to drive under the influence.
If a drunk or impaired driver caused your injuries, you have legal rights and options. Do not let insurance companies minimize your experience or pressure you into accepting a low offer.
📞 Call Esther The Lawyer today at (323) 609 5000 or email intake@estradalawgroup.com.
We fight for victims. We fight for families. We fight for justice.
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