Over 1,700 – 1,800 Georgians die each year on Georgia’s roads, and many are drunk driving accident victims in Atlanta. Drunk driving accounts for over 30% of all traffic fatalities, and even one drink can cause a person to show signs of impairment:
- Impaired thinking
- Slower reasoning skills
- Higher risk of drowsiness
Repercussions from drunk driving accidents can lead to life-changing injuries or even death.
If you or a loved one were involved in an accident with a drunk driver, rebuilding your life may start with fighting for justice. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve, representing your best interests, gathering evidence and seeking the best outcome possible.
Call us at (404) 521-2667 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson.
Case Illustration of Drunk Driving Claim
Caroline is a 32-year-old single parent who is leaving work right outside of Grant Park. She’s heading out of town for the week and heads onto I-20. As she’s driving, she notices a vehicle weaving in and out of traffic.
In a split second, the driver loses control of the vehicle, hitting Caroline’s vehicle at the back right corner and causing her to spin out, cross two lanes, and eventually hit a tree. She had no time to react, and the airbag caused:
- Fractures to her face and skull
- Chemical irritation of her eyes
- Severe concussion
- Broken ribs
The opposing driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10, above Georgia’s legal limit of .08 for people 21 or over.
Caroline is one of the many drunk driving accident victims in Atlanta and will need significant medical care for her injuries. She’ll be out of work for quite some time, and her vehicle is totaled. Seeking compensation for her pain, suffering, medical bills and losses will take quite a bit of negotiation and the skillful guidance of a lawyer who can leverage Georgia’s law in her favor.
Georgia Crash Statistics
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports:
- 507 alcohol-impaired fatalities in the last reporting year
- 28% of all crash fatalities involving a drunk driver
Tens of thousands of people in Georgia are arrested for drunk driving each year, and while many of these arrests do not involve an accident, those that do are often fatal or life-changing.
Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk drivers are often operating vehicles recklessly, speeding and breaking traffic laws. Any injuries – including death – are possible, such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Limb injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
Injuries can be minor, if you’re lucky, or they can change your life. For example, a spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis in one accident and not another. When catastrophic injuries are involved, the true extent of your injuries may not be immediately known.
It’s our job, as your legal counsel, to work with experts to determine how an injury may impact your life today – and for the rest of your life.
You may need multiple surgeries, have to change careers or be unable to work. Depending on your injuries, you may need medical care for the remainder of your life. All of these factors must be considered when seeking damages.
What Damages Are Available?
Drunk driving accident victims in Atlanta can recover economic, non-economic and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Damages that have a fixed monetary value are considered economic damages. These are tangible losses that you can track and keep a record of.
Economic damages can include:
- Your medical expenses (present and future)
- Lost income if you took time off of work to recover from your injuries
- Property damage
- Reduced earning capacity (if applicable)
Non-Economic Damages
Damages that are intangible and have no fixed value fall under the non-economic damages category. How much you recover will depend on the severity of the losses and their impact on your life.
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
In cases where the other party engaged in egregiously negligent behavior, punitive damages can be sought. In many cases, drunk driving accidents fall under this category. Not every case will qualify for punitive damages, but if they are available, we will pursue them.
Under Georgia law, accident victims can pursue punitive damages if the negligent party:
- Was engaging in illegal activity at the time of the accident
- Intentionally tried to cause harm
- Was egregiously negligent in their actions
In Georgia, there is no cap on compensatory damages in personal injury and wrongful death claims unless the claim is against a government entity. However, punitive damages are capped at $250,000.
The value of your case will depend on several factors. An experienced attorney will know how to properly value your claim to ensure you are fully compensated for your losses.
Who is Liable in Drunk Driving Accidents?
In drunk driving accidents, multiple parties may be held liable in Georgia, depending on the circumstances.
Typically, the intoxicated driver will be responsible for paying for repairs and property damage. However, if a bar served the drunk driver, they may also be held liable.
Georgia’s “dram shop law” prohibits establishments like restaurants, bars, and liquor stores from selling or serving alcohol to persons who are visibly intoxicated.
If this situation applies to your case, you may be able to file a separate civil lawsuit against the establishment that served the drunk driver in addition to the claim against the driver.
Proving that the business knew the driver was intoxicated can be challenging. An experienced personal injury attorney will review all of the evidence to determine whether you have a valid claim.
How The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson Can Help With Your Claim
Drunk driving accidents can cause serious injuries that leave you with mounting medical bills, pain, and suffering. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Negligent drivers should be held accountable for their actions.
Drunk driving accident victims in Atlanta can pursue compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future income, emotional distress, and other damages associated with their injuries. Having an experienced attorney on your side will help you achieve the best possible outcome.
It is crucial to work with an attorney who has experience handling cases involving drunk driving accidents. They will know how to overcome common challenges in your case and how to properly value your claim.
The skilled and capable attorneys at The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson can help you navigate your personal injury claim and will negotiate aggressively to secure a fair settlement in your case. We have decades of litigation experience representing injury victims across Georgia.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help with your drunk driving accident case.
