Fighting for Drunk Driving Victims
All drunk driving accidents could have been prevented if the driver had simply decided to not break the law and get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Driving under the influence of intoxicating substances, alcohol, or drugs is illegal under Georgia law O.C.G.A. 40-6-391. This statute clarifies that a person is breaking the law if they drive, meaning to be in actual physical control of any moving vehicle while under the influence of any intoxicating sustenance to the extent that “it is less safe for the person to drive.”
It is not necessary to meet a certain minimum blood alcohol content to be found in violation of DUI laws in Georgia. Anytime a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely is negatively impacted by alcohol or other substances, they will have violated the law and can be held responsible for any damages resulting from accidents they cause. It is necessary to prove through the evidence that the at-fault driver was intoxicated when they caused the accident and this is a process that can get complicated. Having a Georgia drunk driving accident lawyer from Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC assist is extremely beneficial.
When you suffer a personal injury in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you will generally be able to collect complete compensation for all the costs and damages linked to your injuries. Doing so requires that you put together evidence in support of your case, then file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The process can be complicated, and working with a Georgia drunk driving accident lawyer from Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC, takes the stress of the process out of your hands.
Drunk Driving Causes Substantial Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries Each Year
In 2018 in the United States, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there were 10,511 fatalities as a result of motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08%. In Georgia, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, even below the legal limit, is against the law if it impairs the driver’s ability to safely operate their motor vehicle.
The economic cost of all alcohol-related crashes was estimated to be $44 billion in 2010 alone, according to the NHTSA. The costs linked to your drunk driving accident can be significant, ranging from short and long-term medical bills to lifetime changes in your income and ability to enjoy life the same way as before your injuries. Fully measuring the lifetime damages and costs linked to your injuries is an essential initial step in the claims process so that you and your family are not left covering the associated costs. A Georgia drunk driving accident lawyer will help ensure that no costs or resource for damages is overlooked.
Georgia Drunk Driving Laws
Under Georgia law O.G.C.A. Sec. 40-6-391(c), first and second DUI offenses are considered to be misdemeanor offenses, while third DUI offenses are viewed as serious, aggravated misdemeanors which can lead to the potential of being declared a habitual offender. If an individual has a fourth DUI within ten years, it is a felony. This is relevant because when a driver violates their duty by drinking while driving and causing injuries, they can be held liable for the damages that result.
Drivers Who Violate Traffic Laws and Cause Accidents & Injury Will Often be Found At-Fault
When it comes time to collect compensation for your injuries, your Georgia drunk driving accident lawyer will carefully assess the evidence linked to the accident to determine if the other driver or drivers involved were violating any traffic laws. Whether a driver was intoxicated, speeding, or breaking other road laws, they were breaching their duty to drive safely and responsibly and will be liable for the resulting damages.
How Do I Prove a Driver was Drunk or Intoxicated When They Hit Me?
The last thing that you expect to experience on the road when you are driving safely and responsibly is to be hit by a drunk driver, but these types of accidents happen all too often. But how do you know if they were intoxicated? You are not expected to know what the other driver involved in your accident was doing in the moments before the accident, but one of the most helpful sources of information to prove a DUI is the police report from the scene of the accident.
Calling the police immediately after an accident helps to ensure that the other driver’s condition is assessed, including their sobriety. The police will also assist in the exchange of essential information between the parties involved in the accident and call emergency services if anyone is seriously injured.
Outside of the police report, your Georgia drunk driving accident lawyer will use a variety of legal instruments to collect evidence in support of your case. This includes requests for production, depositions, interrogatories, and other legal tools which obtain information from the other party. Intoxicated driving is taken seriously by the authorities, and evidence of a DUI can weigh heavily on the outcome of your case.
Connect with a Georgia Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you are entitled to compensation for the damages and costs caused by the accident. To determine what your best options are to collect the complete amount you are entitled to, connect with a Georgia drunk driving accident attorney from Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC, to review your legal rights.
Give us a call at (404) 480-4284 or visit our website to connect with a Georgia drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm. Your initial consultation is when we will collect some basic information about your accident and related injuries. It is helpful to bring as much information as possible to your initial meeting, including accident and police reports, as well as medical bills and records, so that we can determine if and how we can help. Keep in mind the initial consultation is also free.