What Is Considered Drunk Driving?

It is a known fact that driving drunk contributes to millions of car accidents each year. Many irresponsible drivers continue to hit the road intoxicated, falsely believing they are in a sober enough condition to drive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29 people die every 50 minutes due to drunk driving-related car accidents.

Drunk driving accidents cost the United States $44 billion a year in damages. Simply put, drunk driving is a serious issue, and those who do this not only hurt you but hurt the entire nation as well.

John Foy & Associates has lawyers ready to help you file a claim if a drunk driver caused your car accident. You can hold the at-fault party responsible for your damages and receive financial compensation for them. We have recovered over one billion dollars worth of settlements for our clients over the years. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Understanding Blood Alcohol Content Levels

No one should ever assume that they know how drunk they really are. We often overestimate too much of our own capabilities. Going off the number of drinks you have had does not accurately determine if you are intoxicated or not. The police use breathalyzers and other tools to help determine the intoxication level of a driver.

As a rule of thumb, these are the various blood alcohol content (BAC) levels you should be aware of and what they mean:

• 0.00% BAC means you are sober and can legally drive.
• 0.08% BAC means you are legally intoxicated according to both Georgia state and federal law.
  • For minors, 0.02% counts as legal intoxication.
  • For commercial drivers, 0.04% counts as legal intoxication.
• 0.15% BAC means you will incur an enhanced penalty. The state considers this percentage to be an extremely high level of intoxication.
• Anything around the 0.40% level is dangerous and potentially a sign of alcohol poisoning.

Even if drivers think they know their own limits, they don’t. There are millions of drunk driving cases in the United States every year. When drinking, people are supposed to be responsible and either take public transportation or rely on a sober driver to get them where they need to go.

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Driving Under the Influence Isn’t Just for Alcohol

No. While the act of being drunk is associated with alcohol, you can still drive while intoxicated on other substances. The Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) § 40-6-391 states that driving under the influence includes:

• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Glue, aerosols, and toxic vapors

Using any drug, legal or otherwise, puts others at risk when you drive. Remember, driving under the influence is an umbrella term. It applies to anything that can potentially reduce your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Drunk Drivers Are Subject to Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are fines that the court will levy onto the drunk driver to punish them for their negligent misconduct. These types of damages only get awarded when particular malice, intent, or extreme negligence are involved with the accident they caused. In addition to the economic and non-economic damages you can receive in your settlement, you will receive more money to address the severity of their transgressions.

Punitive damages have a maximum limit of $250,000. In certain cases, there are no limits. Some drunk driving cases can qualify for no limits under the right circumstances. Your lawyer will help you understand what options are available to you in regards to collecting an award for punitive damages.

Compensatory Damages You Can Sue for

If a drunk driver caused your accident, the law entitles you to pursue compensation. You can receive reimbursement for your damages and financial aid to help ease any of the lasting issues you may face. Some of the most common compensatory damages include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death
• Disability and disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological injury
• Medical expenses
• Vehicle repairs
• Damages to property

You do not have to pay us anything if we do not recover compensation on your behalf. We want to see you get the best settlement possible. Our lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure that you can prove negligence, prove your damages, and hold the drunk driver responsible for their irresponsible actions.

The Statute of Limitations on Drunk Driving Cases

You only have two years to file a drunk driving claim. Do not miss this deadline and the opportunity to win compensation. Once these two years have passed, the drunk driver and their insurance company are no longer obligated under the law to provide you with any money for your damages. Try not to let time pass and get the help of a lawyer today.

Don’t Attempt to Settle with the Insurance Company on Your Own

Insurance companies will try to get you to settle for less. They may intentionally take a long time to negotiate or settle in court to encourage you to settle for a lesser amount of compensation. Do not accept their initial offer, and never let them twist your arm into taking an unfair deal. Our lawyers will stop them from exploiting you.

The legal team at John Foy & Associates has the resources to obtain experts to help consult on your case. We will handle all of your negotiations, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and take your case to court if necessary.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

Pursuing a claim can be frustrating and complicated, even for a cut-and-dry case like drunk driving accidents. Our lawyers make it easy to get justice and receive compensation. We do not charge any fees upfront and have no hidden costs. Remember, you only pay us if we win you compensation.