
Drinking alcohol reduces the function of the brain, impairing reasoning, thinking, and muscle coordination, all of which are vital aspects of safe driving. Anyone who drives a vehicle while impaired by alcohol can be involved in a traffic crash resulting in severe injury or death.
In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes. It also translates to 37 people daily and one person every 39 minutes. All of these crashes would be preventable if the driver had chosen not to drive drunk and obey all alcohol-related laws.
One law that aims to curb drunk driving is the open container law. This prohibits open containers of alcoholic drinks in the passenger compartments of non-commercial motor vehicles. However, the law allows open containers in the passenger compartment of commercial vehicles like taxis. When someone is in violation of an open container law, they are often also in violation of drunk driving laws.
Consult an experienced personal injury attorney if you suffered injuries in an accident due to a drunk driver.
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Open container laws prohibit the possession and consumption of any open beverage container in the passenger area of any vehicle on a public highway or right of way.
The open-container laws apply to all types of alcoholic beverages.
The open container laws apply to all motor vehicle occupants, including the driver and passengers. However, the open container laws don’t apply to people in the passenger area of taxis, buses, limousines, and other “for hire” vehicles, including living quarters of a trailer or coach.
The open container laws apply to vehicles located anywhere on a public highway or the right of way to a public road. The law also applies whether or not the vehicle is in motion.
An open container violation differs from a driving under the influence offense. However, having an open container is often an indication that a driver who caused your accident was drunk. In addition to being criminally charged, the at-fault driver will be liable for the property damage and bodily injury damages sustained by the victim.
If you’ve sustained an injury in an accident, having a car accident attorney on your side means you won’t have to worry about the legal process. An attorney brings several benefits to your case, including maximizing the value of your settlement.
Usually, an insurer will offer a low settlement offer once you’ve filed an insurance claim. The role of an attorney is to evaluate any offer that an insurer presents and negotiate for a fair settlement offer that covers your injury-related losses.
A drunk driving accident can be costly, and at-fault drivers should be liable for their actions. Hire an experienced car accident lawyer from Kidwell & Gallager Injury Lawyers to get legal support.
Contact us online or at (775) 323-2667 for a free consultation.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.