Driving under the influence of alcohol causes drivers to ignore traffic signals, drive recklessly, and lose control of their vehicles. That is why it is common for an intoxicated driver to cause car accidents. Therefore, an intoxicated driver can injure you or damage your property. You can file for a claim to get compensation for the injuries and damages you incurred.
Once you decide to file for personal injury damages, we encourage you to hire a skilled and experienced McDonough DUI accident lawyer. Your DUI accident lawyer will gather evidence, interview witnesses, negotiate the settlement, and prepare a convincing case. A lawyer can help you get compensation for your physical injuries and financial losses.
The Weinstein Firm understands the stress you will face after a DUI accident. Our highly skilled and experienced McDonough car accident lawyers can handle your DUI accident claim to reduce your stress. We will represent you and your best interests in court to give you ample time to recover. Call the Weinstein Firm to get the best legal representation.
Drunk Driving Statistics In Georgia
Anti-drunk driving campaigns and harsher laws and penalties have helped reduce DUI-related arrests and accidents in Georgia. However, one of the main factors in car accident fatalities is still alcohol impairment.
In 2018, there were around 348 DUI-related arrests per hundred thousand people in Georgia. In 2019, DUIs contributed to 25% of deaths in Georgia.
What Are The BAC Limits In Georgia?
What is BAC? It is Blood Alcohol Concentration. The BAC limit in Georgia is .08% for individuals over 21 years old because a BAC limit over 0.08 can make the driver lose control of their vehicles. However, the BAC limit for commercial vehicle drivers is 0.04% because of the nature of their work.
It is illegal to drink under the influence of alcohol in Georgia. Therefore, drivers, who drive with a BAC of more than 0.08%, are considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol. If the driver is found guilty, the driver can face severe consequences, including suspension of their driver’s license and even a possible prison sentence.
What To Do After An Accident With A Drunk Driver?
It’s important to take the right actions if you’re the victim of a DUI accident:
Call the Police
Call the police immediately after an accident. You must report the accident to the police. The police will come to the accident scene right away. They can arrest the responsible party and prepare a police report. You will use the police report if you decide to file for a DUI accident claim.
Document the Accident
You will need evidence to prove your injuries and damages. Therefore, do not leave the accident scene before documenting the accident. You can use your smartphone to take photographs and videos of the accident scene. Take photos of the accident scene, injuries you sustained, and damaged vehicles.
Help Other People
You must call the emergency medical services immediately after your accident. If you are not seriously injured, check the condition of the other driver and people involved in the accident. You can perform first aid on the injured people as you wait for the medical professional to arrive at the accident scene.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you are not seriously injured, you must seek medical attention. If you do not need emergency medical services immediately, ensure you visit a doctor as soon as possible. It is important to seek medical attention since you will use your medical records to prove the injuries you sustained.
Call a McDonough DUI Accident Lawyer
If you decide to file a claim for compensation with the insurer, we encourage you to call a DUI lawyer. Your DUI lawyer will guide you through the process of filing a claim. Your lawyer has your best interests at heart, so the lawyer will protect your rights. Hire a DUI lawyer to avoid making costly mistakes.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in Georgia?
In Georgia, you can recover three types of damages in a drunk driving accident case:
Economic Damages – You will be awarded economic damages for monetary losses arising from the DUI accident. It is easy to calculate the value of these damages. Economic damages include damage to your property, loss of wages, and past and future medical expenses.
Non-economic Damages – You will be awarded non-economic damages to compensate you for your loss of quality of life and agony after the DUI accident. It is difficult to calculate the real value of these damages. Non-economic damages include loss of consortium, mental or emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
Punitive Damages – These damages are mostly used to punish the at-fault driver and prevent the driver from repeating the same actions in the future.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim in Georgia?
There is a time limit, called the statute of limitations, for filing a claim in Georgia. If you do not file your claim within the time, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
Therefore, the statute of limitations for filing a DUI accident claim in Georgia is 2 years from the date of your DUI accident. You must file a claim within 2 years to receive compensation for your injuries and damages.
How Much Will an Attorney Cost?
Do not assume you cannot afford to hire a DUI accident lawyer. You may not even have to pay your DUI accident lawyers upfront fees since many DUI accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means your DUI accident lawyer will not charge for their services until they win your case. If you do not get compensation, you will not pay the lawyer.
Contact Our McDonough DUI Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Drunk driving is illegal in the state of Georgia. Drivers found driving under the influence of alcohol faces serious legal consequences. However, some people still drive under the influence of alcohol, so they can injure you or your loved ones and they can damage your property.
If you decide to seek compensation for injuries and damages you incurred, hire a DUI accident lawyer to investigate your case and provide you with legal representation. Your DUI lawyer will prepare and file your claim, so you will have more time to focus on your health.
The Weinstein Firm has a team of dedicated personal injury lawyers near McDonough, Georgia. Our DUI lawyers can save you time since they will use their negotiation skills to negotiate a fair settlement out of court. We will ensure you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Contact the Weinstein Firm today for a free case review with our skilled and experienced DUI lawyers.
