Drunk driving is a severe problem all over the US. Atlanta is no exception. In Georgia, DUI is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Have you or your loved one been involved in a drunk driving accident? Our Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against the driver.
Ted A. Greve & Associates has an experienced team of car accident lawyers who can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We won’t rest until you are compensated for damages including:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Wrongful death
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
Contact an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer today if you’ve been injured by a drunk driver. It is your right to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. We can help bring the drunk driver to book. Let the at-fault party be held accountable today!
Georgia’s BAC Limits and Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
You shouldn’t take an alcoholic beverage and drive. You risk having reduced control and judgment compared to when sober. Georgia’s illegal limit is a blood-alcohol concentration of .08%. This is for drivers over 21 years operating non-commercial vehicles. The legal limit for drivers under the age of 21 is .02%, while commercial drivers’ limit is .04%. Any blood-alcohol concentration over these limits can attract DUI charges.
BAC varies with age, weight, time of day, and alcohol content in the drink. It is determined by a urine test, a breathalyzer, or a blood test. As a driver, you should always know your BAC limit. Penalties for drunk driving in Georgia increase with every violation. These penalties include possible jail time, license suspension, fines, DUI classes, and increased car insurance premiums. Always consider ordering a ridesharing service or riding with a sober friend if you are intoxicated.
Yearly, over 10,000 people die in drunk driving crashes in the US. Nearly 30 people die daily due to drunk driving crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 29% of motor vehicle fatalities in 2018 were caused by drunk driving. A total of 10,511 deaths occurred in 2018, with 231 deaths being of children under 14 years. According to this data, 21% were men, and 14% were women involved in fatal crashes.
The CDC estimated that 3,699 people died in drunk driving crashes in Georgia between 2003 and 2012. Nearly 370 people die yearly due to drunk driving accidents. Thousands of people in Georgia are injured every year because of drunk driving.
Injuries that Are Commonly Associated With Drunk Driving Accidents
A drunk driver may cause severe injuries when they veer off the road, fail to stop in time, drive in the wrong lane, or drive into someone’s compound. Here are some of the most common injuries linked to drunk driving accidents:
Head Injuries
You can sustain a traumatic brain injury if your head is bumped or jolted during a car crash. Debris from the scene may end up penetrating the skull. TBIs are life-threatening injuries that require immediate medical help.
Burn Injuries
Occupants and victims can sustain burn injuries if flammable liquids ignite. You may end up requiring surgery if you sustain nerve damage.
Broken Bones
Safety measures, including seatbelts and airbags, help during car crashes. Still, you may end up sustaining broken bones due to the impact of a car crash.
Paralysis
A drunk driving crash victim risks paralysis if their spinal cord is injured. You may lose feeling and control of your limbs if you sustain an injury to your spine.
Lacerations
You risk contracting an infection if you sustain deep cuts in a car accident. Debris like metal and glass may injure you in the event of a drunk driving car crash.
Whiplash
It takes a drunk driver longer to react. They may end up hitting the car in front of them, causing the driver’s neck to jerk. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain.
Always seek medical attention once you are involved in an Atlanta drunk driving car accident. A physician will record all the injuries you sustained during the car crash. Ted A. Greve & Associates will review these records and your medical expenses to assess your claim value.
What Should You Do After an Accident with a Drunk Driver?
You need to act quickly if you’ve been involved in a car accident and you suspect the other driver is drunk. Drunk driving crashes can cause severe injuries. Here are the steps you should take if you are involved in a drunk driving crash:
Get to Safety
First, find a safe place for you and your loved ones. Watch out for sharp debris and oncoming vehicles.
Get Contact Information
Write down the offender’s license plate, get their phone number, and insurance information. Remember, an impaired driver already knows they are committing a crime. They may as well drive off before you get the vehicle details. If he flees, law enforcement will add hit-and-run charges to his rap sheet.
Call First Responders
Call for emergency help, noting your suspicions about the drunk driver. Don’t approach a drunk driver to ask questions. They may be possibly violent and unstable. Let the police arrive to conduct sobriety tests and write a report.
Take Photos of the Scene
Take pictures and videos of the scene from your smartphone. Take pictures of any alcohol bottles and skid marks on the road. If the driver is staggering, admitting to drinking, or holding a bottle, make sure you record from a safe distance.
Get Medical Attention
Seek medical attention even though you feel okay. You may have sustained internal injuries. Go for a medical checkup immediately after you leave the accident scene.
Contact an Attorney
Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates immediately to speak to one of our Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyers. Note down any events you can remember. Get the contact details of any witnesses.
What Damages Can Victims Get from a Drunk Driving Accident in Atlanta?
In any personal injury case in Atlanta, Georgia, the at-fault party is liable to pay for your damages. Our Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for any damages sustained in a car accident. Victims of drunk driving crashes can recover the following damages:
Economic Damages
These are economically calculable damages. They include lost wages, medical bills, loss of future income, funeral expenses, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages aren’t quantifiable. They cover damages that limit you from living your full life. They include pain and suffering, anxiety, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and decreased quality of life.
Punitive Damages
Drunk driving is a negligent act that deserves to be punished. Punitive damages act as a punishment to set an example and deter a drunk driver from similar actions in the future. Georgia permits drunk driving victims to seek these damages. However, there’s a $250,000 cap in Georgia for punitive damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Georgia has a two-year limit to file personal injury cases. You also have two years from the day your loved one dies to file for a wrongful death claim. This doesn’t have to be the day the accident occurred but rather when your loved one passed on.
For property damage, you have four years to file a damage claim in Georgia. Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates today for a free case evaluation before this period lapses.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer? (Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer)
After a car accident a lawyer can help you with the following:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
You require a team of competent Atlanta car accident lawyers to analyze evidence and prove liability. At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we will go through the police report, review your medical records and expenses to determine your damages. Additionally, we will handle all paperwork regarding filing your claim.
Settlement Negotiation
The defendant’s insurance adjusters and lawyers will try to convince you to take a raw deal. Let us handle settlement negotiations to get the best compensation for your drunk driving claim.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Ted A. Greve & Associates is ready to fight for the settlement you deserve in court. We will gather and present supporting evidence to prove the defendant’s liability. We will build a strong case and line up expert witnesses to fight for maximum compensation in court.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Typically, hiring an Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer is expensive. But, at Ted A. Greve & Associates, we don’t charge any upfront legal fees. Our Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyers will represent you at no charge until you obtain compensation.
We operate on a contingency basis. Our lawyers won’t receive any payment until your case is closed. We don’t want to add any up-front fees on top of damages and injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Drunk driving accidents happen every day in the US. Drivers should always check their BAC limits before driving vehicles. Even better, order a ridesharing service or have a designated driver. You require the help of an Atlanta personal injury lawyer to seek justice and compensation if you or your loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident.
Our team at Ted A. Greve & Associates is experienced in DUI cases. We can help build a strong personal injury case against the drunk driver. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
What’s more, you don’t have to worry if you have no cash. We operate on a contingency basis. At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we value our clients. We always endeavor to provide superior legal counsel that you won’t find elsewhere in Atlanta, Georgia. We fight aggressively for the rights of our clients. Let us help you today get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us now at (800) 693-7833 for a free case review!
