In Gainesville, victims of drunk driving accidents can often recover much more in damages than 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 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 in Gainesville have seen firsthand how painful and stressful a drunk driving accident is for victims. We’ve also helped many victims get awarded full financial recovery for their injuries and other damages. Contact us today for a free consultation or by completing the online form to your right.
How Do I Prove the Driver Was Drunk?
Drunk drivers in Gainesville, GA, are almost always at fault in drunk driving cases because it’s 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) exceeded the legal limit of 0.08%.
In addition, your drunk driving accident lawyer in Gainesville 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
Punitive Damages
You can also get punitive damages if the driver is charged and convicted of drunk driving. This is additional money the drunk driver has to pay you, and the purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer. When you have questions about holding a drunk driver in Gainesville, GA, accountable, talk to a DUI lawyer immediately after the crash.
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. Contacting a drunk driving accident lawyer immediately after the accident is best. 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 eyes first so you take the most efficient action and don’t miss any crucial deadlines. Call a Gainesville drunk driving accident attorney today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
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, but 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. You might also be awarded punitive damages, the extra money the drunk driver must pay the victim.
Punitive damages in Georgia have a very specific purpose: to punish drunk drivers 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 substantially more than other traffic accident cases because potential criminal activity is involved.
Gainesville, GA, car accident lawyers are here to speak with you about the injuries you suffered in a drunk driving accident. Call us today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
What if the Driver Was on Drugs?
Driving under the influence isn’t limited to just alcohol. A driver could face the same charge if driving while impaired by 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 drugs impaired the driver and 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 Attorney for Free
Drunk driving is serious, and as a victim, you shouldn’t have to 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 cases and help lower your stress about 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 our office, or fill out the quick form to your right after suffering an injury in a Gainesville drunk driving accident. Don’t forget that you have a limited time to file the claim, which means you could lose compensation if you miss the deadline.
