If you are injured in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced DUI accident lawyer in Macon can help you pursue justice for your hefty medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and more.
At John Foy & Associates, we have extensive experience helping injured victims rebuild their lives. Since we founded our personal injury law firm in 1999, we have recovered over $1 billion for past clients.
You can trust our Macon car accident lawyers to fight for maximum compensation. Call today for a free legal consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid after we win a case. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by working with us.
What Compensation Could You Recover After a DUI Accident in Macon, GA?
Any car accident can lead to devastating injuries and expensive damages. As your Macon personal injury lawyers, we will calculate your losses and estimate future expenses so you can fully recover.
The types of damages you could claim after a DUI crash include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (from missing work because of the drunk driving accident)
- Property damage, including car repairs or replacement
- Disabilities
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses
The exact economic and non-economic damages you may receive depend on the unique details of your situation. Our DUI accident lawyers in Macon can estimate the value of your claim by reviewing your medical bills, pay stubs, and more.
Punitive Damages
DUI cases differ slightly from most auto accidents because victims may be eligible for even more money. A judge may award you punitive damages to punish the reckless driver. Many DUI claims are worth more than $100,000.
What Is Considered a DUI in Macon, Georgia?
In Macon-Bibb County and throughout Georgia, “DUI” refers to driving under the influence of any substance, not just alcohol. Any substance that impairs one’s ability to control themselves or their nervous system can be the basis for a DUI.
If you are unsure whether you were involved in a DUI crash, our team can determine the type of your case. The most common substances involved in driving under the influence claims are:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter drugs that lead to drowsiness
- Illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin
Law enforcement officers usually administer a chemical test to determine whether a driver is intoxicated. A person is legally under the influence of alcohol if their blood alcohol content is 0.08% or more, as determined by a breath or blood test.
Contrary to popular belief, a test is not required to convict a person of driving under the influence. Consult an experienced DUI accident attorney in Macon to learn more about your rights and how to prove liability after a DUI crash.
Is the Drunk Driver Automatically at Fault?
When it comes to an accident, drunk drivers are not automatically at fault. While they are breaking the law by drunk driving, they may not automatically be liable. An intoxicated motorist can get into a collision but not be responsible for causing it.
The drunk driver’s insurance company may claim their client was not at fault, likely to avoid paying out compensation. Should this type of situation occur, it’s best to have an experienced DUI accident lawyer in Macon on your side who can help prove fault.
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What if I Was a Passenger Riding With the Drunk Driver?
If you were injured as a drunk driver’s passenger, you have the same rights as any other accident victim. The motorist chose to operate a vehicle while impaired, and they should pay for that decision.
However, in some cases, the Macon-Bibb County courts may see you as less deserving than other accident victims. One situation is that if you knew the driver was drunk when you got in the car, a judge may not want to award you as much money or may not want to give you punitive damages.
We recommend contacting one of our DUI accident attorneys in Macon, GA, as soon as possible to discuss the right strategy.
The Georgia Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the accident date. If you fail to file a suit against the responsible party within this time frame, you may lose your right to seek compensation.
It is important to note that the car accident statute of limitations in Georgia can be tolled or extended in certain circumstances, such as when the victim is a minor or is mentally incapacitated.
Consult an experienced drunk driving personal injury attorney from John Foy & Associates to determine the appropriate action and ensure your rights are protected under Georgia law.
I’ve Been Hit By a Drunk Driver in Macon: What Should I Do Next?
After a drunk driving accident, the most important thing is to get emergency medical treatment for yourself and anyone else who was hurt. Victims often suffer from catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury. Immediate medical care will increase the chances of a successful recovery.
We recommend taking simple steps to protect your rights if your injuries allow. We suggest that you:
Involve the Police
An intoxicated driver won’t want to contact the police, but you should call them anyway. The police will:
- Interview those involved in the crash (including witnesses).
- Review the damage.
- Write an accident report detailing what happened.
This document is a critical piece of evidence that will support your personal injury claim.
Alert Police of Intoxicated Behavior
Police officers are trained to assess motorists for intoxication and administer field sobriety and breathalyzer tests. If you suspect the other driver was drunk, tell the officer and explain why you came to that conclusion. It will help your claim if the officer arrests the at-fault party at the scene.
Record Conversations With the Other Driver
Use your phone to record a video of your conversations with the impaired motorist. The video will capture telltale signs like unsteadiness, slurred speech, or aggressive behavior. A video from the scene can be powerful evidence if your case ever goes to trial.
Watch the Other Driver
An impaired motorist may try to destroy evidence before the police arrive to avoid possible criminal charges. If you observe the other motorist hiding things, using eye drops, or pouring out liquid containers, capture it with your phone’s video camera.
Talk With Witnesses
Find out if bystanders saw the drunk driving accident or the drunk driver’s erratic behavior leading up to the accident. Get their names and contact information.
Seek Legal Representation From a Macon DUI Accident Attorney
Finally, contact an experienced drunk driving victim accident lawyer in Macon, GA, immediately. DUI cases can be complicated, and you can be sure that the other driver’s insurance company will not offer you nearly as much as your case is truly worth.
What if the Drunk Driver Fled the Scene?
A drunk driver fleeing the scene is a serious offense. Although you may worry that this means you cannot seek financial reparation for the reckless driving accident, it may still be possible. Try to write down as much information as you can, such as:
- The drunk driver’s license plate
- The other vehicle’s make, model, or color
- Details of the incident
- Information about the police report
If there were any witnesses to the collision, try to speak to them. They may have details about the drunk driving accident that you don’t. Ask them what they remember about the incident before, as it happened, and right after it happened.
Report the drunk driving crash immediately and indicate that it was a hit-and-run. Provide as many details as you can to the police. Afterward, you should contact our legal team so we can start investigating the accident and help you get fair compensation for damages.
Analyzing Georgia’s Fatal DUI Crash Data
Georgia has experienced a significant number of fatal crashes involving intoxicated drivers in recent years. In 2017, there were 357 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, accounting for 23% of all crash deaths in the state. This percentage stayed about the same through 2019.
In 2020 and 2021, the number of alcohol-impaired driving deaths in Georgia decreased slightly, but the percentage of all crash fatalities remained at 22%.
These statistics suggest that Georgia has seen many drunk driving fatalities. If your loved one was one of the victims, you could receive wrongful death damages from the at-fault party. Our compassionate Macon wrongful death lawyers can guide you through the legal process.
Contact John Foy & Associates to Speak With a Macon DUI Accident Lawyer Today
If you are a victim of a DUI accident, you deserve to be compensated. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve seen how a drunk driver can change a life forever. Our dedicated team has the skill and experience to help you receive just compensation.
We’ve been helping victims of accidents get the financial recovery they’re entitled to for more than 20 years. In that time, we’ve handled many DUI cases and always taken the victim’s side, never the drunk driver’s or the insurance company’s.
Schedule a free consultation with our DUI accident lawyers in Macon, GA, to get on the road to financial recovery. Contact us today to learn more about injury cases or fill out our form to the right of the page. For more information, visit our FAQ page.
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