Across the country, alcohol-impaired drivers get behind the wheel millions of times each year. It only takes a second for a driver’s negligent actions to impact others on the road. If you have been injured in a crash, or have lost a loved one, a Georgia drunk driving lawyer can help.
You may feel overwhelmed during these moments, but attorney Ali Awad, the CEO lawyer, is here to stand up for your legal rights. Don’t accept lowball offers, and don’t take insurers at face value. Arm yourself with the legal representation you need to get a fair shake at the settlement you deserve. Our team is prepared to represent victims of drunk driving. If you are ready to pursue a claim or are interested in learning more about your legal options, reach out to us today by calling (470) 323-8779.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to file a claim to seek compensation for your losses. That includes medical bills, missed work income, out-of-pocket costs, future medical care, and more. With an injury and accident attorney from our firm working closely by your side, you will increase your chances of making a full recovery.
Work With a Georgia Drunk Driving Law Firm
The sooner you contact an experienced Georgia car accident attorney after a crash with a drunk driver, the better your chances are of maximizing your recovery. A drunk driving lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and advise you on the most appropriate course of action based on your circumstances. They lessen the amount of work you need to put in to assert your claim while keeping you aware of effective legal strategies available.
Our Georgia-based attorneys also provide you with extensive legal resources. Depending on the situation, your personal injury lawyer in Georgia may call upon resources like accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and accident witnesses to support your claim. With their help, you will have a better chance of recovering what you are owed.
How an Experienced Georgia Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help
The CEO Lawyer is experienced in handling all types of personal injury cases, including those involving drunk drivers. Our law firm understands that we will need to prove the opposing motorist was intoxicated at the time of the crash, which can be complicated in some instances. In most instances, your lawyer will request blood test results or other test results used by police, like sobriety field tests, to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash.
As your lawyer will explain, your claim is likely to go in one of two ways: to negotiations or court. Personal injury claims are more likely to resolve through negotiations and result in a settlement both parties agree upon. However, there are instances where the opposing party or insurance company is unwilling to settle fairly. If that is what you experience, your attorney from Ali Awad Law can explain the lawsuit process, walk you through courtroom proceedings, and find the most appropriate path towards a favorable verdict.
We understand the courtroom can be intimidating, but rest assured that we know what it takes to win a lawsuit. We will have all of the necessary evidence ready to present to the judge or a jury to give the highest chances that the negligent driver will be held accountable for their actions and your losses, giving you what you need to start moving forward with your life.
The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3,241 people were killed in accidents in Georgia involving drunk drivers from 2009 to 2018. The majority of those deaths involved males ages 21 to 34.
Alcohol inhibits a person’s ability to drive both mentally and physically by acting upon the central nervous system. While alcohol affects people in different ways based on their weight, tolerance, and consumption amount, it is always dangerous when an intoxicated driver gets behind the wheel. A driver under the influence may experience the following:
- Reduced reaction time
- Limited concentration
- Drowsiness
- Lack of coordination
- Impaired vision
To reduce the instances of drunk driving, Georgia has several laws and penalties. If you have been in a crash, your lawyer will explain the laws that apply to your case.
Drunk Driving Laws in Georgia
It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or above 0.08% in Georgia. If you have been in an accident involving a drunk driver, there are state laws the offending driver may be subject to. Those laws will play an essential role in your claim.
According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, the following penalties are enforced in the event someone drives while intoxicated:
- First offense — Jail time up to one year, $300 to $1,000 fine, license suspension up to one year, 40 hours of community service, $210 license reinstatement fee
- Second offense within five years of first offense — Minimum 48 hours in jail up to one year, $600 to $1,000 fine, three-year license suspension, 30 days community service, $210 license reinstatement fee, mandatory clinical evaluation, completion of substance abuse treatment program
- Third offense within five years of second offense — Minimum 15 days jail time, $1,000 to $5,000 fine, revoked license for five years, minimum 30 days community service, violator’s name, phone, and address published in the local newspaper, license plate seized and sent to Department of Motor Vehicle Safety, mandatory clinical evaluation and completion of substance abuse treatment program
There are also open container laws in Georgia. An open alcoholic beverage container is any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing alcohol that is open has a broken seal, or has partially removed contents. It is illegal for anyone in a vehicle to have an open container. The penalty is a fine not to exceed $200.
Dram Shop Laws
Georgia also has dram shop laws that apply to the bar or restaurant that served the intoxicated driver. An injured victim has the right to take legal action against an establishment for negligently over-serving a customer when the server or bartender knew or should have known the customer would be driving soon. An establishment that sells alcohol may also be held accountable for the drunk driver’s reckless actions if the person being served was a minor.
No matter the circumstances that resulted in your car accident, our drunk driving attorneys are prepared to evaluate your case and help you determine how to effectively proceed based on your specific circumstances and losses.
Filing a Claim Against a Drunk Driver
As with most car accidents, it may be advisable to consider first filing a claim with the opposing driver’s insurance company to attempt negotiations and a settlement offer. Drivers in Georgia must carry car insurance, and filing a third-party liability claim against the insurance carrier may be the easiest way to receive the compensation you need.
There are instances where pursuing a third-party claim does not result in full and fair compensation. If the opposing driver was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), you could pursue a lawsuit in court in an attempt to obtain a favorable verdict. Lawsuits ultimately extend the length of your legal matter, but they can also increase the damages available to recover. Your lawyer will explain your options and guide you through the process to make it less stressful.
Regardless of which outlet you choose, you should be aware of the types of compensation you should seek. Expected losses after a drunk driving accident include the following:
- Medical bills — Hospital bills, physical therapy, medication, ongoing treatment
- Lost wages — Paychecks lost from taking time off of work to recover, and compensation for any long-term or lifelong reduction in income
- Pain and suffering — The physical and emotional trauma resulting from the accident that upended your life
In some instances, punitive damages may also be available to victims of intoxicated drivers. Punitive damages are awarded in instances of gross negligence—where the defendant knew what they were doing was wrong but chose to act anyway. To ensure your case is valued properly, make sure you work with an experienced attorney.
Maximize Your Compensation With the CEO Lawyer
If a drunk driver has injured you, you deserve full and fair compensation for your related injuries and losses, like the ones we discussed above. Unfortunately, as with any claim or lawsuit, obtaining 100% of what you are owed is more challenging than it should be. If the claim is against the drunk driver’s insurance company, they will likely attempt to put profits before payouts. Normal conversations with adjusters could be twisted in their favor and make it seem like you were less affected by the accident than you actually are.
In order to avoid compensation complications with insurance companies, it is crucial to work with an experienced attorney. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies, and we will be well aware of what you are owed when we speak with them.
As your legal representatives, our job is to help support your opportunity for recovery. We will fight on your behalf to see to it that you can receive a monetary award that repays you for all of your accident-related losses.
Learn More About Your Rights From the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm
Drivers owe each other a duty of care. In the event that duty is breached and an accident occurs, the injured party has the right to seek compensation for their losses. A Georgia drunk driving lawyer from the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can help.
Accident victims need to understand their legal rights and options to have a good opportunity for recovery. The injuries and economic losses associated with a drunk driving accident can be steep, which is why it is vital to seek legal representation. To get started, schedule a consultation today by completing our online contact form or call (470) 323-8779.
