Drunk driving is a serious cause for concern across Peachtree Corners. Many people suffer life-threatening and fatal injuries after being struck by drunk drivers. If you or someone you love has suffered debilitating injuries caused by a drunk driver, and you do not know where to turn for help, reach out to an experienced and compassionate Peachtree Corners drunk driving accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates.
Our firm can help you determine which legal options are most likely to produce maximum financial coverage in your case. Learn more about what your next steps should be when you contact our team for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Peachtree Corners
After you have been struck by a drunk driver, you may be scared and confused about what to do next. Your first call should always be to 911 and emergency responders. However, your next steps could have a significant impact on your ability to get justice and recover your damages. The steps include:
Gathering Evidence at the Accident Scene to Support Your Case
Although you may be dealing with devastating injuries after your drunk driving accident, if you are capable of gathering evidence to support your case, now is the best time to do so. Much of the evidence will still be fresh. You can take photos of the damage at the scene of the crash, take photos of your injuries immediately after the accident, and obtain these statements of any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur or caught the collision on camera.
Obtaining a Medical Evaluation by Healthcare Providers
It is more common than you might think for victims of drunk driving accidents to initially feel fine after the accident. Many times, the adrenaline and shock of the experience is still coursing through their bodies, making it difficult or impossible to feel the full extent of their injuries. If this happens to you, there are invisible injuries you may be dealing with that could be fatal if left untreated. Get the medical help you need as soon as possible after a drunk driving accident.
Contacting a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Peachtree Corners, GA
As soon as your healthcare providers give the okay, it is time to call a drunk driving accident attorney for help. Although going to court is the furthest thing from your mind at this point in time, the sooner you get your attorney working on your case, the more likely it is you can access the compensation you will need when you need it most.
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What Are Your Legal Options After a Peachtree Corners Drunk Driving Accident
After being involved in a collision with a drunk driver, there are several possible ways you can recover your damages. These potential options include:
- Filing a claim for worker’s compensation benefits If you were
- Hit by a drunk driver while on the clock
- Filing an insurance claim with your own auto insurance company if you made the decision to purchase no-fault auto insurance coverage
- Filing an insurance claim with the defendant’s insurance company since Georgia is a fault state for auto insurance purposes
- Pursuing a civil drunk driving accident lawsuit against the drunk driver and other potentially liable parties
In many drunk driving accident cases, pursuing multiple options is the best way to recover your damages in their entirety. Many insurance claims limit the amount of compensation you can be awarded and are determined by the amount of coverage purchased by the policyholder. If you hope to avoid any issues along the way, going to court is the best way to be made whole.
This is your opportunity to seek total recovery of your damages – not only the losses covered by the policyholder’s insurance policy, which may be limited.
Culpability for Drunk Driving Accidents in Peachtree Corners
After being involved in a collision with a drunk driver, proving fault is critical. In negligence-based claims, your lawyer will need to show that someone else is to blame for your injuries. This may seem easy and drunk driving accident cases, but you might be surprised to learn that in addition to the drunk driver, there are other parties who could share fault for your damages.
For instance, if the drunk driver who hit you was over-served alcohol at a bar right before the collision, the bar, or a dram shop, could be held accountable for your damages. Additionally, if your accident was caused by an underage driver who was provided alcohol by another adult, that adult could be held accountable for your damages due to Georgia’s social host liability laws.
Have your drunk driving accident attorney in Peachtree Corners, GA, analyze your case to ensure all potentially liable parties are held accountable for your damages.
What to Expect from the Insurer After a Drunk Driving Accident in Peachtree Corners
Georgia may be a fault-based state for auto insurance purposes, but that does not mean the liable party’s insurance company is going to settle your claim without putting up a fight. Remember, the insurance company is going to lose money when they pay out on your claim.
For this reason, you can expect them to do whatever they have to do to reduce this loss wherever possible. In a drunk driving accident, insurance companies may argue that the insurance coverage was invalid at the time of the accident since the driver was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
However, your Peachtree Corners drunk driving accident attorney will scrutinize the insurance policy in question to ensure you are compensated fairly and the insurance company is held accountable for their financial obligation.
Speak with a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Peachtree Corners Today
Pursuing a claim against a drunk driver by other liable parties may be the furthest thing from your mind at this point in time. However, the sooner you get started on your case, the sooner you can access the compensation you are entitled to, which can help you rebuild your life.
Meet with a dedicated Peachtree Corners drunk driving accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates today. Fill out our online contact form or call us to schedule a free case review and get started on your insurance and civil claims.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
