The Dressie Law Firm: Your Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Don’t face the aftermath of a DUI accident alone. The Dressie Law Firm has a competent Atlanta drunk driving accident attorney ready to to fight for your rights. Contact us today.
Atlanta DUI Accident Lawyer
Were you or a loved one a victim of a drunk driving accident? Due to someone’s negligence and recklessness, you may find yourself with large medical bills, excruciating pain, and a clouded future. Sadly, drunk drivers can neither be expected nor entirely avoided. However, when a drunk driver causes you injury, you have the right to hold them accountable and recover damages.
Drunk driving accidents often lead to injury, damaged property, or death in the worst-case scenario. According to the most recent statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 21% of all traffic fatalities are due to drunk driving. Beside car accidents, drunk drivers are the leading cause of deaths in:
Under the Georgia personal injury law, drunk driving accident victims can bring a car accident claim against the drunk driver’s insurance company to recover compensation. If you have sustained injuries and property damage, the Dressie Law Firm is here for you.
Our drunk driving accident attorneys can explain the claims process and handle it for you. We have helped hundreds of auto accident victims in Atlanta recover maximum compensation. You can rely on us to get justice.
What Is Drunk Driving under Georgia Traffic Laws?
In Georgia, drunk driving, often referred to as driving under the influence or impaired driving, is defined as operating a vehicle with a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) than the legal limit.
The legal limits are different based on age and the type of vehicle, and they are as follows:
- .08% for anyone above 21 years
- .02% for an individual under 21 years
- .04% for anyone handling a commercial vehicle, including transportation trucks.
When a driver with a BAC above the legal limit causes an accident, it is referred to as a drunk driving accident. Besides the administrative and criminal penalties a drunk driver will be subject to for violating traffic law and causing injury or death to another driver, passenger, or pedestrian, they can face civil penalties when sued by the victims.
If you are a drunk driving accident victim, you can choose a settlement out of court with the drunk driver’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Your lawyer will guide you to what’s best for you.
What You Should Do Following a Drunk Driving Accident?
If you were recently involved in a drunk driving accident and still don’t know what to do or where to start, you should know that it’s okay. Surviving an accident can be hard to process, especially if you are injured.
Here’s what you can do now:
1.Start collecting evidence
It’s always best to start collecting evidence at the accident scene. However, if you haven’t been able to document the accident at the time, the best thing you can do now is to take pictures of your injuries and the damage your car sustained. If you haven’t been checked yet, please seek medical attention immediately. Your medical records can be a crucial piece of evidence for your personal injury claim. However, even if you are not harmed, you can still seek compensation for other damages.
2.Contact an Atlanta drunk driving accident attorney
Reliable legal counsel will help you make sense of the accident, provide the necessary legal counsel, and guide you through the claims process. They will relieve you from having to go through this on your own.
Who Is Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident?
The law generally assumes that the drunk driver is at fault. However, there may be other people who might have contributed to the accident. If other drivers were involved in the accident, they may be held liable if they contributed to the accident by acting negligently.
Moreover, under OCGA §51-1-40, anyone who provides an individual under 21 with drugs or alcohol can be held responsible for an accident caused by that individual unless they couldn’t have reasonably known that such an individual would drive a vehicle.
A liquor store or bartender can also be held liable if they sell a visibly intoxicated person more alcohol if they knew this person would drive a vehicle soon.
Recoverable Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim
Victims of drunk driving car accidents can recover compensation for all damages they suffered as a result of the accident. Such damages include:
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Medical expenses and associated costs
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Emotional trauma
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Pain and suffering
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Lost wages
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Loss of earning capacity
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Lifelong disability or disfigurement
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Property damages
In case someone dies, the at-fault drunk driver should compensate their family for their wrongful death. Damages the family can recover include:
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The medical expenses incurred before the passing
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Funeral expenses
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Emotional damage
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If the victim was the breadwinner, compensation for lack of familial and financial support
The amount of compensation will depend on the assessed damages.
Drunk drivers could be held liable for up to millions of dollars in a drunk driving accident claim, but the compensation generally depends on the sustained damages. The court may also award the victims punitive damages to punish the drunk driver for their reckless behavior.
The Importance of a Well-versed Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
You might not see the immediate need to have a competent attorney by your side. However, you should consider working with one for the following reasons:
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They assess your case and conduct further investigations to obtain undeniable proof to support your claim.
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They help estimate how much you can get for the damages sustained.
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They handle the negotiations with the insurance company and work to obtain the maximum compensation for your damages.
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If the case needs to go to court, they will represent your case and advocate for the most favorable outcomes
The Dressie Law Firm Wants to Help You
If you are a drunk driving accident victim, the Dressie Law Firm is here for you. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of drunk drivers recover the compensation they deserve.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation with an experienced, compassionate, and reliable personal injury attorney.