Columbus, GA, Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Legal Support for Drunk Driving Accident Victims in Columbus, GA

Every year, thousands of people pay a huge price for the careless actions of drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, over 30 percent of car accident fatalities involve drunk drivers. In a recent year, there were 450 alcohol-related traffic deaths in Georgia.

Sadly, Columbus, GA, has been the site of serious drunk driving accidents in recent years. This includes a fatal crash at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Sheppard Dr and another one at Veterans Pkwy and Almond Rd.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a drunk driver, you have the right to seek compensation to cover your expenses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. For over 35 years, Butler Prather LLP has been getting justice for people in Columbus, GA, who have been injured by drunk drivers.

Our firm has won settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states. We’ve won nine verdicts that exceed $100 million and over 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.

Call (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Columbus car crash lawyer today.

Why Is Drunk Driving So Dangerous?

To keep people safe on the road, Georgia has strict penalties for drunk driving. Drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) face heavy fines, jail time, mandatory substance abuse classes, and the loss of driving privileges. Despite the best efforts of public safety campaigns and law enforcement officials, drunk driving continues to pose a major risk to law-abiding drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders in Georgia.

Someone who is intoxicated has no business operating a motor vehicle. Alcohol consumption dramatically reduces a person’s ability to make good decisions. That’s why it’s so important for people to plan ahead and take precautions before they start drinking. Making arrangements to have a dedicated driver or calling for a taxi or rideshare driver is the best way to prevent a tragic accident.

The reason why drunk driving is so dangerous is simple—drinking destroys a person’s ability to make good decisions and safely operate a motor vehicle. Countless studies demonstrate that alcohol diminishes the following skills:

• Reflexes
• Hearing
• Coordination
• Concentration
• Depth perception
• Mental processing
• Reaction time
• Ability to track objects

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable for Their Actions in Georgia

In Georgia, a driver is considered legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. If a driver’s BAC is or exceeds .08 percent and it is determined that drinking impaired their ability to drive safely, they may be convicted of DUI.

It takes a high level of skills and coordination to safely operate a big rig truck. That’s why Georgia has high standards for truck drivers. They may be convicted of DUI and lose their commercial driver’s license for operating a truck with a BAC of .04 percent or higher. Underage drivers are subject to license revocation for having a BAC of .02 percent or higher.

Every person has a duty of care to avoid actions that may cause reasonably foreseeable harm to others. If you or a loved one was injured due to another person’s negligence, you have the right to file a claim or a lawsuit for damages, which is a monetary award that serves as compensation for an injury or loss.

Dram shop laws in Georgia allow people who are suffering from drunk driving injuries to collect damages from businesses that continue to serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated. Bars, restaurants, and social hosts may be held liable for drunk driving injuries when they serve alcohol to a driver who is under 21.

How Your Columbus Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help

Your drunk driving accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to demonstrate that the drunk driver who hit you is liable for your injuries. Even if a driver hasn’t been convicted of DUI, the evidence that police officers collect after an accident can be used to support a civil lawsuit.

Evidence that may be included in a drunk driving claim or lawsuit includes:

• Police reports
• Surveillance camera video
• Forensic evidence
• BAC test results
• Arrest records
• Police videos
• Accident scene photos
• Witness testimony
• Medical records
• Expert testimony

Damages Available for Columbus Drunk Driving Accident Victims

In Georgia, people injured due to the actions of a negligent driver accident are eligible to seek economic damages to cover the cost of monetary losses such as medical treatment and vehicle damage. Non-economic damages may also be awarded to compensate for subjective losses such as emotional distress and reduced enjoyment of life.

Punitive damages may be available depending upon the nature of the drunk driver’s conduct. Also referred to as exemplary damages, punitive damages are meant to penalize the defendant and discourage others from committing similar acts. Punitive damages may be awarded in Georgia if the defendant’s actions demonstrated “willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or entire want of care.”

When our investigation is complete, the experienced litigators at Butler Prather LLP will file a claim or lawsuit seeking the following types of damages:

• Medical Expenses
• Loss of income
• Medical devices
• Pain and Suffering
• Emergency room treatment
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Occupational therapy
• Ambulance rides
• Wheelchair ramps for your home
• In-home nursing care
• Wrongful death

Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers

Drunk driving accidents cause catastrophic injuries that totally disrupt your life and prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities. Many victims are forced to spend a lifetime suffering the effects of disabilities and chronic pain. Frequent injuries caused by drunk driving accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Severe burns
• Amputation
• Whiplash
• Crush injuries
• Nerve damage
• Fractures
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken hips
• Concussion
• Internal organ damage

We’ve Recovered Over $1 Billion for Our Clients

At Butler Prather LLP, we’ve won record-breaking lawsuits against some of the most powerful interests in the nation. Our Columbus injury attorneys don’t back down from anybody when pursuing justice for our clients.

Contact our office at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a free consultation today.