Everyone in Redan knows drunk driving is illegal, but every year people still choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. This leads to hundreds of drunk driving deaths in Georgia, and thousands nationwide. Drunk driving accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, expenses, trauma, and the loss of precious lives. If you or a loved one was harmed in a drunk driving accident, it’s time to speak with a Redan drunk driving accident lawyer who can help.
Our lawyers have a strong track record of success working on drunk driving accident cases. We understand how much you are going through after this type of accident, and we’re ready to discuss the details with kindness and compassion.
Our goal is full compensation of your medical bills, vehicle damage costs, and everything else you lost because of the accident. For a FREE consultation with one of our drunk driving accident attorneys, call today at 404-341-6555 or fill out the form on this page.
How Much Money Can I Recover from a Drunk Driving Accident Case in Redan?
Drunk driving accident claims are highly personalized because they depend on the details of your case like:
- The severity of your injuries and extent of your treatment plan
- How much repair your vehicle needs (or whether it needs to be replaced completely)
- Whether you have any pain and suffering damages like emotional trauma or loss of companionship
Since drunk driving accidents involve a driver who is not in their right mind, they tend to happen at higher speeds or in more dangerous conditions, leading to more pain and damage than the average car accident. That means damages are often more extensive.
Below are some of the damages you can claim after a drunk driving accident:
Medical Expenses
Medical costs often make up the biggest portion of any personal injury claim, especially if you were injured badly and require a lot of treatment.
Medical damages you can claim may include:
- Hospital and doctor bills
- Tests ordered by your doctor
- Surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Ongoing treatment options like rehabilitation or physical therapy
After any accident, we recommend accident victims see a doctor as soon as possible after the collision. This will create a record of you getting medical attention, and also allow you to receive treatment before anything worsens. It’s the best choice for your own well-being along with your drunk driving accident claim.
Vehicle Repair Costs
If your car was damaged or totaled in a Redan drunk driving accident, you are entitled to recovery of repair costs too. That includes damage to other property, such as a motorcycle or bicycle you were riding when the drunk driver hit you.
Lost Wages
The courts will use your past paychecks to calculate how much you would have made if you hadn’t been injured and had to take time off work. These are lost wage damages you experienced because of the accident.
If you have a serious or life-changing injury, the courts will try to calculate the difference in earnings between the job you had before and what you can now do.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are unique to cases like drunk driving accidents. They aren’t an option in accident cases where the at-fault driver was sober and simply being negligent. Punitive damages have a main purpose: to punish the at-fault driver and prevent future harmful choices.
Georgia law states that to obtain punitive damages, you must be able to prove the driver showed willful misconduct, wantonness, or indifference to the consequences of their actions. Obtaining punitive damages is not easy so you’ll want to discuss the possibility with your attorney first.
Wrongful Death Damages
Sadly, drunk driving accidents too often lead to deaths. If someone is killed in a drunk driving accident, certain people (the deceased’s spouse, minor children, surviving parents, or representative of their estate, in that order) are entitled to seek damages on behalf of the deceased loved one.
Wrongful death damages include many you can include in other personal injury claims, but they can also include damages like:
- funeral and burial expenses
- medical costs from the deceased’s last injury or illness
- pain and suffering the deceased endured before their death
Is the Drunk Driver Always at Fault?
Most of the time, the driver who decided to drink and drive is responsible for the accident. Doing so is a very reckless and careless decision that shows clear negligence to other drivers.
However, sometimes there are other parties who may be found at fault for a drunk driving accident.
Restaurants or Bars
Establishments that serve alcohol in Georgia can be found liable if they over serve customers. They should not continue serving a patron who is visibly drunk—and should especially not let them get into a vehicle while drunk. Doing so could leave them legally responsible for the person’s actions if they leave their business and then get into an accident.
Party Hosts
Just like with bars or restaurants, hosts of parties serving alcohol have a responsibility to those at their home. They can be liable if they allow a drunk person to leave their property and drive away, causing an accident.
Adults Giving Alcohol to Minors
Minors (anyone under the age of 21) should not be given alcohol; if they drive while intoxicated and cause an accident, it’s a very serious matter. The person or business that gave the minor alcohol can sometimes be liable for damages from the accident.
In Georgia, any amount of detectable alcohol found in a minor’s system after an accident is illegal, and could lead to a criminal conviction.
No matter how the drunk driving accident happened, it’s very important to not say sorry or admit blame. It’s extremely rare for the sober driver to be at fault, but the other driver’s insurance company may be looking for ways to blame you.
Definitely report the accident to police and make sure all drivers involved are safe, but don’t take responsibility for the crash. If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing, it’s best to consult with a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as you can to protect yourself.
Talk to a Redan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for Free
No one can ever be truly prepared for a drunk driving accident. We know how stressful it can be dealing with the aftermath of an accident. That’s why we’re here to help. Our lawyers have been assisting accident victims with their car accident claims for more than 20 years.
We’re always on the side of the victim, and we never work for insurance companies. We can help you with your claim and guide you through the legal process after an accident. For a FREE consultation, call us at 404-341-6555 or fill out the form on this page today.
