If you have been injured by a drunk driver in Carrollton, you have a strong claim for recovering money damages—often far more than other accident victims can get. Drunk drivers put everyone around them in danger, and getting behind the wheel drunk is never acceptable under Georgia law. It violates one of the fundamental duties that drivers have to not do anything that would endanger those around them. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, don’t miss out on the money you deserve. A Carrollton drunk driving accident lawyer can help you.
Our lawyers understand the confusion and outrage that you are likely feeling after a drunk driving accident. We have seen hundreds of these cases in over 20 years of experience helping accident victims. We can put that experience to work for you and your family during this challenging time. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
How do I know if a driver was drunk at the time of the accident?
The best way to tell that a driver was drunk just before the crash is to have their blood tested to determine their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Alternately, a driver’s BAC can be confirmed by having them take a breathalyzer test. Because driving under the influence is illegal, the police will usually test a driver to determine their BAC after a crash with a suspected drunk driver. It helps if you tell police you suspect the driver is drunk while you’re still at the scene.
Having a BAC of 0.08 is considered legally intoxicated in Georgia. But, a driver doesn’t have to be legally drunk based on the criminal law standard to be considered drunk for your personal injury case. A BAC of even 0.01 can indicate that a driver wasn’t paying attention and caused an accident.
Other signs that a driver was drunk at the time of the crash include things like:
- Problems with staying in their lane
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Driving too fast or too slow for the conditions
- Having no headlights on at night
If you notice any of these things before the accident, be sure to mention them to the police so they can include these observations in their report.
Once you are out of your vehicle after the accident, you may also notice the driver showing the following signs of being intoxicated:
- Glassy or red eyes
- Slurred speech
- Trouble with balance
- Failing sobriety tests
- Confusion or irrational anger
Always tell the police about your suspicions so they can investigate. Even if you didn’t mention these things to the police, talk to your lawyer about them. Your attorney can investigate whether a driver was intoxicated even after the fact.
How does alcohol affect the ability to drive?
Even a small amount of alcohol in your system can affect the ability to drive. Keep in mind that a driver doesn’t have to be legally intoxicated to make a mistake while driving. Just one drink can decrease the ability to perform vital functions that someone needs to drive.
Alcohol affects the following vital functions.
- Perception is altered, making it harder to see other cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, and more.
- Reaction time is slowed, which makes it difficult to react appropriately to emergency situations.
- Focus is altered so that it is too concentrated on the road ahead of the driver instead of also observing everything around them.
- Reflexes will slow to the point of being unsafe.
- The ability to judge how far away things are and how fast other vehicles are traveling will decrease.
- Hand-eye coordination will also decline the more that someone drinks.
Intoxicated drivers are unsafe because of the effects of the alcohol. For some people, just one drink can lower their awareness and focus enough to make them very dangerous on the road.
What kind of compensation can I get after a drunk driving accident?
Damages for a drunk driving case will depend on the unique facts of your situation. Damages are designed to compensate you for your losses that are caused by the accident. That means that your specific losses will have an effect on how much money you can get in your personal injury case.
Damages often address losses that may include things like:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- The cost of future medical treatments
- Property damage
- Future potential missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Compensation for disfigurement or scarring
Your attorney will be able to help you calculate all of your injuries after a drunk driving accident. You may be surprised just how much this type of collision can affect your long-term health. Your damages will be designed to offset all of the long-term effects, not just immediate costs.
How long do I have to start my drunk driving lawsuit?
Georgia law requires that you file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. While two years may seem like a long time, it can go quickly when you’re recovering from a serious collision.
The two-year deadline is also to file your claim, not to talk to an attorney about it. Your lawyer will have an investigation to conduct before your lawsuit can start. They may also want to negotiate with the insurance company to see if you can get a fair settlement without having to go through the hassle of a lawsuit. Legal cases take a considerable amount of time, and settling early with the help of an attorney can get you funds to address your losses faster than going through a trial before a judge or jury.
Talk to a Carrollton Drunk Driving Lawyer for Free
You don’t have to go through this alone. Our lawyers have the resources and experience you need to help you get money damages and address your losses after your accident. Don’t wait to get the process started. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get a FREE consultation today.
