According to government statistics, one out of three traffic deaths continues to involve a drunk driver. The Center for Disease Control reports on impaired driving that one person dies every 50 minutes due to a drunk driver behind the wheel. In addition, drunk driving results in over $44 billion in damages each year.
If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, you don’t have to pay out of pocket for any of your damages. Please give our Atlanta drunk driving accident victim lawyers a call at (404) 400-4000. John Foy & Associates can help you get started on your claim.
Drunk Driving Is Common in Georgia
DUI cases have dropped 23% in the last 10 years, according to the Department of Transportation records. But, unfortunately, drunk driving continues to be a problem on our roads.
Every Monday morning, our phone lines get busy with callers who have been injured over the weekend by drunk drivers. While most of us follow the rules of driving diligently, drunk and high drivers do not.
What Constitutes Drunk Driving in Atlanta?
The legal limit is .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in Atlanta. BAC varies based on weight, gender, the strength of the drink, and the time of day you’ve been drinking. All drivers should know their BAC limit. There are simple online BAC calculators available.
Anyone under the legal drinking age of 21 is not allowed to have any alcohol before driving. Georgia has a zero-tolerance for any driver younger than 21 to have any alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
If someone is above the legal limit established, they’re driving drunk. Drunk driving is illegal, and the law is almost always on your side after an accident. Even still, you should do things after your accident to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Atlanta Drunk Driving Victim Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?
In any accident, it’s essential to call the police and get a formal accident report. But this is especially crucial if you suspect a driver was drunk or otherwise impaired. Tell the officer that you suspect the other driver was drinking or impaired. Police have the knowledge to identify those situations. If it turns out to be a DUI situation, you have a right to recover significantly from the irresponsible person.
You should take down as much information as you can about the accident if possible. Try and see if the driver is trying to get rid of bottles or cans. If the driver starts to use eye drops, they could be trying to cover up bloodshot eyes from marijuana or alcohol use.
Our drunk driving accident victim attorneys in Atlanta will investigate to see if the driver has previous convictions. The CDC reports drivers arrested while under the influence are six times more likely to have a prior DUI conviction than drivers with no alcohol in their system.
Compensation for Drunk Driving Victims
There are three main types of damages you can recover compensation for as a drunk driving victim. They are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the damages you sustain that have a fixed value. Typically, you will have receipts or invoices to keep track of how much they are. Economic damages consist of:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Various property damages
- Medical expenses, treatment, physical therapy, prescriptions, equipment, etc.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capability
You must keep all the bills and other financial documents related to your economic damages safe and organized. Then, you can use them as proof of your damages, and it will help our lawyers accurately calculate your settlement total.
Non-Economic Damages
Your non-economic damages will typically include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
- Disfigurement or disability
The difference between economic and non-economic damages is that non-economic damages have no fixed value. How much you can recover in compensation for them depends on how severe these damages are and how much they’ve impacted your life.
We know that money isn’t enough to replace everything you’ve lost. However, we hope that you get closure, justice, and the means to move forward with your life after your accident by bringing you the maximum amount of compensation.
Punitive Damages
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-12-5.1 allows accident victims to recover a reward for punitive damages if:
- The at-fault party was egregiously negligent in their actions.
- The at-fault party intentionally tried to hurt you.
- The at-fault party was committing a crime when your accident occurred.
Drunk driving victims can often recover punitive damages because driving under the influence of any substance is often egregiously negligent behavior. While we can’t guarantee that every case will qualify, we will ensure you receive a reward if yours does.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving victim lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-400-4000
How Much Is a Drunk Driving Victim Accident Settlement Worth?
Your settlement amount will always vary depending on the types of damages that you sustained. Generally, most of the cases we represent end up with settlements of around $25,000 to $80,000 in compensation.
However, keep in mind that this is just a broad estimate. Your case could be significantly more or less depending on various factors. Our drunk driving victim accident lawyers in Atlanta can calculate an appropriate settlement for your circumstances.
Can I Still File a Claim if a Loved One Got Hurt in a Drunk Driving Accident?
Our team has seen the gamut of drunk driving cases over the years. For example, if your child had knowingly got into a car with a drunk teen driver, the provider of the alcohol can get held accountable.
In short, if your family member was hurt in a drunk driving accident, regardless of how it happened, talk to our Atlanta drunk driving accident victim lawyers to learn more about what your legal options are.
Does Being High Count As Drunk Driving?
Yes, being high on any drug is considered the same as drunk driving. Under Georgia law, the terminology is driving while under the influence or driving while intoxicated, which applies equally to any drug or alcohol. Any drug that makes you a less safe driver would qualify as a drunk driving case.
What About Prescription Medications?
Being impaired by a legal drug violates the driving laws. Prescription drugs are required by law to have warning labels about any possible impairment, and drivers have a responsibility to honor other drivers. If you don’t smell alcohol or marijuana, but you suspect there’s something wrong with the other driver, report your concerns to the officer.
Why Are Drunk Driving Accidents So Dangerous?
DUI accidents tend to be more extreme, with more severe injuries and possibly death. Drunk drivers tend to drive at high speeds and very recklessly. Drunk drivers have trouble focusing, and their muscle coordination is impaired. Their reaction time gets slowed down, and they are mentally confused. This lack of control can lead to devastating accidents on the road.
Who Can I Hold Liable for My Drunk Driving Accident in Atlanta?
The drunk driver is almost always responsible for the repayment of your damages. However, there are situations in which you can hold another party responsible for your drunk driving accident. For example, the Georgia “Dram Shop Law” holds accountable any business owner who knowingly sells alcohol to an intoxicated customer or guest.
Bartenders must refuse to serve someone who has had too much to drink. Restaurant servers have a duty to monitor the number of drinks a customer has, and that’s easy to do because the server keeps a tab of how much the customer has ordered.
A party host may also be responsible, especially if they knowingly provided alcohol to anyone under 21. If you knowingly served a minor, you can potentially be liable.
Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accidents in Atlanta
The time limit for filing a personal injury case is generally two years, but there are exceptions for shorter periods. It’s important to act quickly and hire a drunk driving victim accident attorney before too much time passes.
If you wait too long, you run the risk of losing critical evidence and weakening your chances of winning a settlement. Our drunk driving accident victim lawyers in Atlanta will ensure that your claim is filed on time.
How Can Your Drunk Driving Accident Victim Lawyers Help Me?
You can trust our Atlanta drunk driving victim accident lawyers to help you win your personal injury claim. We provide assistance in several ways, including:
- Handling communications with insurance companies and other third parties
- Always representing your best interests during negotiations or at trial
- Helping you gather evidence, get medical treatment, and build a strong case for your claim
- Contact witnesses and collect their statements in support of your claim
- Calculating your damages accurately to ensure nothing gets left out
Hiring our lawyers is virtually risk-free. We never ask for any payment upfront, and our initial consultation is always free. We don’t share any of your personal information and always ensure privacy and confidentiality.
As a bonus, we don’t accept any payment unless we win your case. If we can’t win a settlement on your behalf, you owe us nothing for our services.
Talk to an Atlanta Drunk Driving Victim Accident Lawyer for Free
Driving is a privilege and requires responsible behavior. John Foy & Associates has 20 years of representing people who have been injured by drunk drivers. You can trust our results for our clients.
Call our drunk driving victim accident lawyers in Atlanta at (404) 400-4000 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 to help you schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form