Being injured by another driver’s negligence is never easy, but if the motorist was under the influence of alcohol, it could be an especially brutal experience. Impaired drivers are dangerous drivers who put everyone else on the road at increased risk.
If a drunk driver leaves you injured, you need the trusted legal guidance of an experienced Loganville car accident lawyer who can manage litigation against the drunk driver who harmed you.
Compensation for Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in Loganville
If you or someone you love has been hit by a drunk driver, the losses – or legal damages – you experience can be difficult to overstate. In your DUI accident claim, you will seek just compensation for every covered category of loss that you experience.
These basic categories include:
- Property damage to your car and to its contents
- Medical bills, which may need to include long-term healthcare needs
- Lost income, which may need to include losses related to your overall ability to earn
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can overshadow other losses and can make your recovery that much more challenging
It’s important to note here that only when the other driver’s negligence is especially egregious do Georgia courts award punitive damages. When a motorist is seriously impaired behind the wheel, however, it translates to a serious level of negligence that can reach the court’s threshold. Punitive damages aren’t designed to compensate the injured party but are instead meant to punish the at-fault party for their negligence and to deter others from engaging in similarly dangerous practices.
Georgia Drinking and Driving Laws
Georgia takes drunk driving exceptionally seriously, and it has laws in place to back this statement up. To begin, a motorist who is under the influence of alcohol is legally barred from being in physical control of a vehicle – and the same is true of any other drug or substance that renders the motorist unsafe to drive.
Just like other states, Georgia sets a strict limit regarding blood alcohol content (BAC) for motorists. When a driver’s BAC exceeds .08 percent within three hours of operating a vehicle, they are over the limit and are considered under the influence.
Alcohol Liability Laws in Georgia
Laws related to alcohol liability in Georgia – beyond the liability shouldered by the drunk driver – are called dram shop liability laws. These laws are designed to allow victims of drunk driving accidents to hold the establishments that overserved the drunk drivers in the first place liable for related losses.
The following applies when it comes to holding a third-party liable for the damages a drunk driver caused:
- The establishment knowingly and willingly served or sold alcohol to someone under the age of 21.
- The establishment knowingly served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated.
- The establishment knew the minor or the intoxicated person would be driving a motor vehicle.
Dram shop liability claims are reserved for those injured by drunk drivers and do not apply to the drunk drivers themselves.
How We Help After You’re Hit By a Drunk Driver
If a drunk driver leaves you injured, our seasoned drunk driving accident attorneys can help in a range of important ways.
Building your strongest claim
To obtain the compensation to which you are entitled, you’ll need to bring your strongest claim, and this is best left in the capable hands of your DUI accident lawyer – who will deftly take on all the following:
- Communicating with the insurance company so there’s no way it can talk to you directly and potentially twist something you say to its advantage
- Gathering all the available evidence and weaving it into a solid claim that supports your position – including evidence from the scene, eyewitness testimony, the police report, the testimony of expert witnesses, accident recreation models, and beyond
- Deliberating with the insurance provider in pursuit of a settlement that covers each category of loss you experience
- Steering you through the legal process, protecting your rights along the way, and making the right decisions for you throughout
- Preparing to take your case to court if the insurance company isn’t forthcoming with a fair settlement offer
Taking on the insurance company
It is important to take a moment to consider the insurance company. While you are right – it is paid to cover your claim – it’s far more interested in bolstering its own profits, which means it will take whatever steps it can get away with to keep your settlement low.
Your DUI accident lawyer is well prepared to handle the insurance company on your behalf, but there are some points to keep in mind, including:
- The insurance company may offer you an early settlement offer that’s far too low – as a means of taking advantage of your desperation.
- The insurance company may slow down or overly complicate the claims process in the hope that you’ll give up and go away.
- The insurance company may deny the extent of your losses or may attempt to shift fault toward you in an effort to shake your confidence in your claim.
Turn to an Experienced Loganville DUI Accident Lawyer
A skilled DUI accident lawyer at Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to serve victims like you in Loganville, Georgia. We are well-prepared to harness the full force of our experience and legal insight in pursuit of a favorable claim resolution that honors your legal rights. To learn more, please contact us online or call us at 770-554-8100 today.
Drunk Driving Accident Case FAQs
How do I prove the other driver’s fault?
Fault is proven in accordance with the facts and evidence, and this is best left to your DUI accident lawyer.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit against a drunk driver?
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the injury-causing accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
How can I afford an attorney?
Your DUI accident lawyer won’t get paid until your claim settles or receives a court award.