Victims of drunk driving accidents in Gainesville can often recover much more in damages can other accident victims. This is because those who choose to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs put everyone on the road in immediate danger.
Georgia law comes down hard on drunk drivers; if you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, the law is on your side. You may be able to recover for ALL of your damages related to the accident. To find out your best options, contact a Gainesville drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Our drunk driving accident attorneys have seen firsthand how painful and stressful a drunk driving accident is for victims. We’ve also seen and helped many of those victims get awarded FULL financial recovery for their injuries and other damages. Let us help you pursue the best possible outcome for your case, as well. Contact us today for a FREE consultation at (404) 341-6555 or by completing the online form to your right.
How Do I Prove the Driver Was Drunk?
Drunk drivers are almost always at fault in drunk driving cases because it’s very rare for them not to have caused the accident. Driving while intoxicated is not only negligent behavior, it’s also a state crime. However, there does need to be proof that the driver was operating their vehicle while intoxicated.
Thankfully, since drunk driving is also a criminal action, you’ll usually have the police and a prosecutor investigating the case too. They’ll gain a lot of the evidence you’ll need for your insurance claim in showing the driver was under the influence. The most common way of establishing the driver was, beyond any doubt, under the influence is through court-presented evidence like the results of a Breathalyzer or blood test. These will show whether the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was over the legal limit of 0.08%.
In addition, your drunk driving accident lawyer will work on compiling evidence showing the driver’s actions led to your accident and subsequent injuries. This will include gathering details like:
- Police reports
- Pictures or videos from the crash
- Testimonies from witnesses
- Arrest records and BAC testing
If the driver is charged and convicted for drunk driving, you will also get punitive damages. This is additional money the drunk driver has to pay you, and the purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer.
Do I Have to Wait for the Drunk Driver To Be Convicted to File a Claim?
No, you don’t need to wait for the driver to be convicted of drunk driving before pursuing your claim. In fact, it’s best to contact a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. They might even advise you to file your claim immediately, even if they also plan to wait and see the outcomes of the criminal case before coming to a settlement with the insurance company.
The sooner you can get an experienced legal professional on your side, the better. Personal injury cases can move fast, and it’s best to have legal counsel in your eye from the beginning so you take the most efficient action and don’t miss any crucial deadlines.
How Much Money Can I Recover in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Gainesville?
If the drunk driver caused the accident and you were injured, you have the potential to claim a substantial recovery. If found to be at fault, which is extremely likely in a drunk driving accident case, the other driver will be liable for covering costs like:
- Medical bills and doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Missed wages from taking time off work because of the accident and/or your injuries
- Travel costs to/from treatment
- Long-term treatment like surgeries or rehabilitation
- Repairs for damage to your vehicle
- Wrongful death, if you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident
Not only will the driver be liable for damages of a regular car accident claim, they can also face penalties for their decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. This is a serious criminal offense, and the law will want to punish them. That means you might also be awarded punitive damages, which is extra money the drunk driver must pay the victim. Punitive damages in Georgia have a very specific purpose: to punish the drunk driver for their actions and deter them from repeating them.
The exact settlement amount for a drunk driving case largely depends on factors like the severity of your injuries and your total costs from the accident. But drunk driving cases can easily be worth substantial more than other traffic accident cases because there is potentially criminal activity involved.
What If the Driver Was on Drugs?
Driving under the influence isn’t limited to just alcohol. A driver can face the same charge if they were driving while impaired by any drugs. That includes illegal drugs as well as prescription medications or even over-the-counter drugs. Under Georgia law, if the driver has been impaired enough that it is “less safe” for them to drive, it’s considered driving under the influence—and the criminal penalties for drugged driving are no different from getting charged with alcohol DUI.
If the driver was impaired by drugs and it led to the accident, you can seek the same financial recovery against them. A drunk driving accident lawyer will take the same course of action to compile evidence that their bad decisions caused the accident and your injury.
Talk to a Gainesville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for Free
Drunk driving is serious, and as a victim you shouldn’t have suffer through the costs because of someone else’s poor judgment when getting behind the wheel. Our drunk driving accident attorneys are here to help you bring a solid accident claim and negotiate a fair settlement to fully cover your costs. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to navigate these types of cases and help lower your stress around how to proceed. And you never pay a cent unless we win you money.
For a FREE consultation with one of our lawyers, contact us today. Call (404) 341-6555, or fill out the quick form to your right.
