Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
Lawyers in Atlanta Fight for Victims of Drunk Drivers
Drunk driving plagues the city of Atlanta. There were 20 alcohol-related deaths in Fulton County in one year alone. This is more than in the surrounding Cobb and Dekalb counties for the same year. Every year, thousands of people die in alcohol-related collisions throughout Georgia. These deaths are entirely preventable. They stem from the recklessness of irresponsible drivers.
If you suffered injuries or a loved one died in a drunk driving accident in Georgia, talk to the Atlanta or Columbus DUI accident victim attorneys at Butler Prather LLP by calling (706) 322-1990 today.
We have zero tolerance for drunk drivers, and we pursue compensation for these Atlanta car accident cases to the fullest extent of the law.
Understanding Criminal vs. Civil Lawsuits for DUI or Drunk Driving Accidents
After a collision in which police suspect a driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there will be a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or other chemical test. The results of the tests will show if the driver was legally intoxicated (with a BAC of 0.08% or higher) or if he/she had any trace of alcohol in their system. Drivers with any amount of alcohol in their systems can get into legal trouble if it's enough to impair driving ability. If a driver breaks the law by driving drunk, he or she can face criminal and civil penalties.
The criminal penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) in Atlanta are up to one year of jail time, $300-$1,000 in fines, and license suspension of up to one year. The courts may also order community service hours. These penalties increase substantially for subsequent convictions. While criminal charges are pending for a DUI driver, accident victims may file a civil court claim against the driver as well. A criminal lawsuit serves to convict the at-fault party for drunk driving and punish him or her for the unlawful act. A civil suit aims to compensate injured parties for their damages.
Pursuing a civil lawsuit against the drunk driver can result in substantial compensation for your injuries. While punitive damages are rare in personal injury cases, an egregious act of drunken driving may be enough to demand this compensation award in addition to other damages. There is a $250,000 damage cap on punitive damages in Georgia. The amount your case could be worth depends on the extent of your injuries and disability because of the accident. Filing criminal and civil charges can make the reckless driver take legal responsibility for his or her wrongdoing.
Drunk Driving Accidents and Wrongful Death in Atlanta
Sadly, many drunk driving accidents in Atlanta result in someone's death. If an intoxicated driver killed your loved one in a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident, you may have the right to bring a civil suit against the responsible individual. Georgia law permits a deceased person's spouse to file a wrongful death claim if the "reckless, negligent, intentional, or criminal acts" of another person caused the death. Drunk driving falls within these guidelines. If the couple has minor children, the surviving spouse may also file on behalf of the children. If no spouse exists, the opportunity to file for wrongful death falls to the surviving parents of the deceased or the personal representative of the estate.
How Drunk Driving Makes Our Roads More Dangerous
Alcohol has a profound impact on a person's ability to drive safely. When a driver consumes alcohol, it affects their central nervous system, leading to impaired cognitive functions. Reaction times become significantly slower, making it difficult to respond to sudden changes on the road. The driver's coordination is compromised, which affects the ability to steer, brake, and accelerate effectively.
Alcohol impairs judgment, and that's why intoxicated drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior such as speeding or disregarding traffic signals. Drinking also negatively impacts depth perception and peripheral vision.
The statistics surrounding alcohol-impaired accidents are alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 32 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States involve alcohol-impaired drivers. In Georgia alone, hundreds of lives are lost each year due to drunk driving.
Types of Drunk Driver Accidents
Drunk driving leads to several types of devastating automobile crashes. Head-on collisions are particularly deadly, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high impact force. Rear-end accidents frequently result when intoxicated drivers fail to maintain safe following distances, or they don't react in time to sudden stops.
Side-impact crashes, or T-bone accidents, usually occur at intersections and may occur when a drunk driver runs a red light or stop sign, leading to significant damage to the struck vehicle and its occupants. Drunk drivers are also more prone to causing multi-vehicle pile-ups, especially on highways where speeds are higher.
Unlike people traveling inside motor vehicles, pedestrians have no physical protection, leaving them much more vulnerable to severe injuries or death upon impact. Drunk drivers often fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street, walking along the roadside, or waiting at crosswalks, leading to tragic outcomes. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, imposing significant emotional and financial burdens on victims and their families.
Commercial vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers pose added dangers due to the tremendous size and weight of semi-trucks, buses, and delivery vans.
Proving Liability in Atlanta for Drunk Driving Accidents
Butler Prather LLP can conduct a thorough investigation and collect evidence to establish liability in a drunk driving case. Police reports are often the primary source of evidence — they detail the accident scene, the driver's behavior, and any field sobriety or breathalyzer tests conducted.
Eyewitness testimony further strengthens a case by offering first-hand accounts of the driver's actions and the events leading up to the collision. Witnesses may describe erratic driving behavior, visible signs of intoxication, or the circumstances of the crash.
A driver's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) provides a verifiable measure of intoxication, with levels above the legal limit serving as strong evidence of impairment. Video from dashcams, police body cameras, or surveillance systems can also be invaluable. It can document details about the accident and the driver's behavior after the crash.
Common Injuries and Compensation for DUI Accident Injuries
Drunk driving accidents often result in severe and life-altering injuries. Common injuries include whiplash, caused by the sudden jerking motion of the neck during a collision. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have long-term cognitive and physical effects. Spinal cord injuries are also prevalent, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
Victims may suffer from broken bones, which require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Internal injuries, such as damage to organs, can be life-threatening and necessitate immediate and ongoing medical care. Injuries such as Nerve damage, amputations, and crush injuries may lead to chronic pain and disability. The emotional and psychological impact of these injuries can be profound, affecting the victim's overall quality of life.
When Butler Prather LLP files a claim or lawsuit for injuries caused by a drunk driver, it includes the following types of damages:
Our Atlanta DUI Accident Lawyers Offer Free Consultations
The legal process in drunk driving cases begins with an initial consultation with the experienced litigators at Butler Prather LLP. A drunk driver can change your life in a split second. You can't change the past, but you can take control of your future with help from our attorneys. Butler Prather LLP has won millions of dollars in verdicts and judgment awards for drunk driving and distracted driving claims in Atlanta.
Call (706) 322-1990 to speak with one of our experienced DUI accident lawyers in Atlanta and learn more today.
Additional Information
- Can Driving at a Legal BAC Level Be a Factor in a Crash?
- What is the Difference Between DUI and DWI?
- How Bad Is Buzzed Driving?