Drunk driving is a deadly hazard to everyone. Drivers in Valdosta should avoid driving under the influence for any reason—but some drivers don’t follow the law. Too many people suffer severe injuries or lose their lives in drunk driving accidents.
If drunk driving has affected you or your family, call John Foy & Associates. Our Valdosta drunk driving accident lawyers are here to help. We’ll ensure you understand your rights and the compensation you deserve for your costs.
Our Valdosta car accident lawyers have been helping accident victims for over 25 years. We are not afraid to do what it takes to fight. To discuss your case during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. Reach out today to fight for justice.
Damages from a Drunk Driving Accident
Alcohol-related accidents are some of the most serious. Drunk drivers make careless mistakes that often cause debilitating and life-threatening injuries. As a result, the victim and their family often have many damages.
Personal injury damages are the losses resulting from an accident. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-2, there are two main types of damages:
- Special damages
- General damages
After a drunk driving accident, we can determine the full value of all damages you have. Let’s look more closely at each type.
Special Damages
Special damages result directly from the accident. You must prove these damages to recover them:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repair expenses
Save all bills, receipts, and other evidence of your costs. You will need to provide these as proof in your claim. Our lawyers will use any evidence of your damages to back up your case.
Also, consider all future medical treatment you’ll need. You might need long-term medications, procedures, or other medical care. Talk to your doctor and your lawyer about your future needs.
General Damages
General damages are losses that the law assumes come from the accident. Examples of general damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional distress
You do not have to prove a specific amount for general damages. “Pain and suffering” doesn’t have a set dollar amount. However, money is the only way that the law knows how to compensate you for wrongdoing. So, you’ll still need to calculate the worth of these damages.
Our lawyers will use a formula to determine your general damages. Most of the time, this means using a multiplier to come up with a specific dollar amount. To learn more about how we at John Foy & Associates calculate these losses, call us for a free consultation.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no charge to you unless we win your case.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the victim can also seek punitive damages. According to OCGA §51-12-5.1, the courts award punitive damages to “punish, penalize, or deter” the wrongdoer. The point is to prevent the driver or others from drinking and driving again.
Punitive damages are available when there is malicious or reckless behavior, which can include drunk driving. Talk to our lawyers about punitive damages if you or a loved one were injured in a drunk driving accident.
Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, drunk driving crashes often lead to death. If a loved one died in an accident, you might have a wrongful death claim. Specific family members can bring this type of case.
Wrongful death claims seek compensation on behalf of a loved one who died. Damages can include:
- Medical costs of the loved one’s last treatment
- Lost wages the loved one would have earned
- Pain and suffering the loved one experienced before they died
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship or consortium
Our lawyers can help your family after a drunk driving death. We know what it takes to build strong wrongful death claims. While money can never make up for the loss of life, it can help loved ones recover costs as they try to move on.
Our Team Will Fight for Your Compensation
Drunk driving is clearly careless behavior. When a driver’s carelessness leads to an accident, the driver is responsible for the costs. If you or a loved one were victims, you have a right to seek compensation. However, building a legal claim isn’t simple.
You will need to gather evidence to support your claim. The driver’s insurance company will look for ways to challenge what you’re claiming. Our team of lawyers can help you by:
- Thoroughly investigating your accident
- Collecting proof of the driver’s drunk driving
- Finding out if the driver has past DUI charges
- Talking to witnesses
- Gathering evidence from the scene
- Working with experts to support your claim
- Preparing or negotiation or court, if necessary
The aftermath of a drunk driving accident is very difficult. Thankfully, you don’t have to handle the legal details alone. Our team can help you build and file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver.
Be Wary of the Insurance Company
If the other driver was at fault, their insurance company should cover the costs. However, insurance companies rarely fight fair. Even if there is clear evidence of drunk driving, the insurer will look for ways to downplay your claim.
Be very careful before accepting any money or signing anything from the insurance company. Talk to a lawyer first. If you’re not careful, you could end up accepting much less than you deserve. Taking money can also close your case and prevent you from fighting for more.
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Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
Talk to a Valdosta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we know how to handle drunk driving cases. Our team can help collect evidence and build a strong injury case. If you need to sue the other driver, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation. We’ll go over the details of your accident and help you build a case. We’ll also protect your rights and fight for what you deserve. Plus, there is no charge to you unless we win your case.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.
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