Drunk driving is illegal throughout the entire U.S. This means accident victims hit by them have a strong chance of winning compensation if they file a claim against the driver who hit them. To learn more about the process of filing, work with a Peachtree City drunk driving accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates.
The Current State of Drunk Driving in the U.S.
Driving with alcohol in your system is an inherently bad idea. The substance impairs many of a person’s abilities, including their ability to reason, think, and physically coordinate their bodies. Due to reduced function, drunk drivers have an increased risk of getting into accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a drunk driving-related death occurs every 45 minutes. If you look at the numbers, this is 42 people per day. In 2020 alone, drunk driving resulted in nearly 12,000 deaths.
Most of these deaths were preventable, but negligent drivers decided to put the lives of others at risk. If you survived one of these accidents, do not let drunk drivers continue harming others. Take action by filing a drunk driving accident claim with the help of a Peachtree City drunk driving accident attorney.
Drunk Drivers Must Be Held Accountable
Wherever alcohol is sold, there will be a minority of people who choose to drink and drive. This is an unfortunate fact that government entities and public organizations are striving to change. Even though change is occurring in some areas, many people are still hurt and killed by drunk drivers.
As the survivor of a drunk driving accident, you have the right to seek fair compensation from the negligent driver and their insurance company. This is important because it contributes to holding the driver fully accountable for their negligent actions. Some victims assume that the criminal justice system will hold them accountable even if they do not, but initial criminal penalties are often not enough to deter drunk drivers from reoffending.
Taking matters into your own hands by forcing them to compensate you fully is the best way to hold them accountable. Anyone interested in holding the drunk driver who injured them responsible by filing a claim should speak to a drunk driving accident lawyer in Peachtree City immediately.
Who Is at the Greatest Risk?
Drunk drivers can get into accidents with anyone, but the individuals they pose the most significant risk to are pedestrians and motorcyclists. This is because motorcyclists and pedestrians are harder to see than cars, trucks, and other large vehicles. Furthermore, accidents with these roadway users are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries due to the victims’ lack of protection.
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Is a Business Liable for Your Injuries?
Sometimes liability in drunk driving accidents is shared by the drunk driver and the business that sold them alcohol before the accident. In Georgia, dram shop laws dictate that victims can claim compensation from any businesses that allowed a drunk driver to purchase alcohol before the accident occurred. Specific criteria must be met before a dram shop claim is warranted.
These criteria are:
- The business sold alcohol to a minor; then they caused a drunk driving accident.
- The business gave alcohol to an intoxicated person; then they caused a drunk driving accident.
- The business knew that a drunk person would be driving and made no effort to stop them from drinking and driving.
It is important to note that drunk drivers are not allowed to file dram shop claims. Only accident victims hold this right. This means drunk drivers cannot place the blame on an establishment to avoid being held responsible for their negligent actions.
Drunk Driving Accident Claim Time Limits
You do not have forever to file your drunk driving claim. Not only will the available evidence diminish over time, but the state government also enforces a statute of limitations that prevents people from filing after a certain amount of time has passed following the accident. In Georgia, this time limit is two years from the date of the accident.
It is also important to note that drunk driving accidents may allow victims to file after this two-year period if the drunk driver is being criminally prosecuted. This is because the two-year statute of limitations is paused until the drunk driver’s case is finished. The statute of limitations can be paused for a maximum of six years.
Potential Compensation for Drunk Driving Accident Claims
A drunk driving accident can cause devastating injuries and property damage. The losses related to these damages can be recovered through your civil claim. Some examples of damages you can claim through the legal process include:
Economic Damages
These damages are associated with the direct or indirect loss of money. People commonly attempt to recover compensation for medical bills and loss of wages through this category of damages.
Non-Economic Damages
If you suffered damages that were not monetary, they are considered non-economic damages by the courts. Pain and suffering, loss of happiness, emotional distress, and similar problems fall into this category.
In addition to these losses, the court may award punitive damages to punish some drunk drivers. These are damages levied against negligent defendants who engaged in excessively reckless or malicious behavior that led to an accident.
Injured by a Drunk Driver? Contact John Foy & Associates
John Foy & Associates understand the trauma that can occur due to the negligent actions of drunk drivers. A John Foy drunk driving accident attorney in Peachtree City is prepared to help you get fair compensation for what you have endured. We can guide you toward a fair and reasonable outcome through skilled negotiation and litigation.
To get started with a free case evaluation, use our online contact form.
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