El Paso Auto Accident Attorney Michael J. Gopin Discusses Report about Increase in DWI Arrests, Fatalities in El Paso
El Paso, TX (PRWEB) February 13, 2014 -- Commenting on a news story that reveals a spike in alcohol-related arrests and traffic crashes in 2013, El Paso drunk driving accident attorney Michael Gopin of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, P.C., said today it’s important for El Paso drivers to do their part in preventing potentially deadly drunk driving car accidents.
KFOX-TV (“Deaths, DWI numbers in El Paso rise for 2013,” January 10) reported that El Paso Police Department statistics revealed a “significant” rise in alcohol-related traffic arrests, accidents, and fatalities in 2013.
“These preliminary statistics from the El Paso Police Department are alarming, but not that surprising to us,” Gopin said. “We have handled many serious accident cases involving drunk drivers in El Paso. We have seen first-hand the devastating impact of DWI crashes, which often leave victims and their families with significant physical, emotional and financial losses. I see this discouraging news as a call to action for all El Paso drivers to remain mindful of the dangers of drinking and driving, and for law enforcement officials to ramp up their efforts to combat this often deadly behavior.”
According to KFOX-TV, 2,734 alcohol-related arrests were made in 2013, an increase from 2,698 cases the year before. Law enforcement officials also reported an increase in fatalities, KFOX-TV said, from 25 in 2012 to 41 last year.
The KFOX-TV article also noted that many cases over the course of 2013 were a result of repeat offenders. Police told KFOX-TV that repeat offenders with three or more DWI arrests jumped to 925 last year, compared to 708 in 2012 and only 162 in 2011.
Gopin said he encourages drivers to avoid getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink. He noted that El Paso has a number of alternative transportation options available designed to help drivers make responsible choices.
“A cab ride home costs far less than an average DWI arrest and conviction,” Gopin said. “Organizations such as ‘No DWI El Paso’ operate year-round to offer free rides home to those who have had too much to drink,” said Gopin.
Gopin said an attorney can help victims injured by drunk drivers and families who have lost loved ones in accidents. He said a lawyer can hold the negligent individual accountable and send a message that careless or reckless behavior will not be tolerated in Texas.
About the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin
The Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin is an El Paso personal injury law firm providing legal representation to clients suffering from traffic accident injuries, slip and fall injuries, and dangerous drugs injuries. The firm also handles wrongful death claims and workers compensation claims. The law firm works on a contingency basis, which means clients only pay if the attorney makes a financial recovery.
For more information about what to do after a car accident in El Paso or elsewhere in Texas and the legal options available to you, call (800) WIN-WIN-1 or (800) 946-9461 or complete the online contact form.
Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PC
1300 N. El Paso Street
El Paso, Texas 79902
http://www.michaelgopin.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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