How to Comfort Those Affected By a Drunk Driver

According to the United States Department of Transportation, almost 30 people die in drunk-driving crashes every day in the United States. That’s one person every 48 minutes. With such numbers, most of us either have been affected by drunk drivers or know someone who has. As such a prevalent problem in the United States, the fight against drinking and driving continues. As such, when you know someone who has been affected by drinking and driving, how do you comfort them? Donahue Law Firm in Bend is a DUI law firm that specializes in helping those accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In this blog post, we’ll offer up tips to give to those affected by DUI. Contact us today to learn more!

• Be there. This is the most important thing you can do for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Be the listening ear they need. Listen to their anger, their befuddlement, their heartache. You don’t have to say anything. Most of the time, a hug is all that person needs.
• Help out. A sudden death, especially a traumatic death that DUI offenses often cause, is jarring and shocking. It disrupts the person’s life and routine. Pitch in wherever you can. Bring meals. Go grocery shopping. Help with funeral arrangements. Do their laundry. Walk their dog. Anything helps at this point, no matter how small.
• Don’t get offended. People handle grief differently. True, there are stages of grief most people travel through, but these stages are expressed differently. If you become the target of the grieving person’s anger, do not get offended or angry. Odds are, the grieving person is so full of emotion, he or she has no idea how to get rid of it, so it comes out in ugly ways. Again, just be there.
• Remember the deceased. What has happened has happened. The best thing you can do now is help your friend or loved one move on. You can do this by frequently mentioning the deceased’s name, talking about the good times, and even speaking in religious terms, such as the deceased in now in heaven. This can be enormously comforting to someone who may not be able to say the name of the loved one themselves.
• Be supportive. In the weeks following the death of a loved one is often the time the grieving family falls into depression and needs you the most. All the hubbub has died down and now the family is often left alone — and sadly empty. Make a coffee date. Drop by unexpectedly just to check in. Remember their birthday. Time will heal all wounds, but time will move slowly for some. Your presence may be all that person needs to help cope and move on after the death of a loved one.