Crashes due to drunk driving have torn apart many families in Stonecrest and the entire Georgia region.
If you or your loved one gets involved in a drunk driving accident, you should reach out to an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer. These experienced lawyers are committed to helping you get justice and the compensation you’re legally entitled to.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Stonecrest
Here’s how to handle the situation if you are involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver:
Seek Medical Intervention
Any accident can cause serious injuries, and some of these injuries may manifest later. Therefore, the first thing to do following an accident is to seek medical intervention. Call an ambulance as soon as you can to get medics to the scene immediately.
Report to a Law Officer
Call 9-1-1 to report the accident and the irresponsible drunk driver. When the officers arrive at the scene, they can confirm that the driver was indeed drunk at the time of the accident. Calling the police also helps to ensure the irresponsible driver does not try to run off or cause more damage.
Document the Scene
Gather evidence by taking photos of any sustained injuries, vehicle damage, and the entire accident scene. An accident site can change quickly, but the photographs preserve the details forever. Therefore, they can help a lot during your claim.
Get Contact Information From Witnesses
Credible witnesses will help strengthen your drunk driving accident case. Ensure you get full names and contact details of eyewitnesses present at the scene and who can describe what they observed.
Contact a Drunk Driving Attorney
Many things will need your attention following a drunk driving accident. For example, after seeking medical attention, you’ll need to reach out to your insurer for claims and to repair your vehicle.
A Stonecrest drunk driving lawyer can guide you through the right steps after an accident resulting from drunk driving. The lawyer can also protect your interests and ensure you receive full compensation.
Which Law Holds Drunk Drivers Responsible in Stonecrest?
Georgia law protects victims of drunk driving accidents in Stonecrest. One can file a negligence lawsuit against the at-fault party seeking compensation. All you need is to prove that the drunk driver owed a duty to you as the plaintiff and breached his duty, or their actions led to your injuries.
Drivers on Stonecrest roads have a duty to act reasonably. Drunk driving is a breach of that duty; thus, a victim of a crash caused by such a driver can hold them liable.
Also, victims of drunk driving crashes can allege allegiance per se. This law asserts that a person, like a drunk driver, is negligent as a matter of law if he or she goes against a safety-related statute. Once the victim proves that the at-fault party violated Georgia’s DUI laws, thus negligent as a matter of law, they only need to prove; proximate causation or that the drunk driver’s actions led to the injuries.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Stonecrest?
You have two years to file a drunk driving accident claim with the court. But sometimes, the time limit could reach six years because drunk drivers who cause crashes and harm people usually undergo prosecution. Therefore, the two-year time limit starts to run after the criminal prosecution of the at-fault driver is complete or until six years lapses.
However, you should take action immediately since evidence tends to vanish, and witnesses also relocate as time goes by. Working with a drunk driving accident lawyer in Stonecrest can help you understand all the deadlines relevant to your claim.
How does a Drunk Driving Accident Claim Begin?
A drunk driving accident claim begins after you file a summon and your attorney serves a complaint to the at-fault party. If the at-fault party is insured, your lawyer will also serve their insurance company with a complaint. Insurance companies also cover drunk driving accidents.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Stonecrest
Victims of drunk driving accidents in Stonecrest can recover compensatory damages such as:
- Medical bills and expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Property damage.
- Loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Impaired quality of life and loss of companionship.
Victims may also receive punitive damages. These damages aim to punish the at-fault party for negligence and carelessness and discourage them or others from behaving that way in the future.
How Much does a Stonecrest Drunk Accident Lawyer Cost?
Cost should not deter you from seeking legal representation. A Stonecrest drunk driving accident attorney can agree to represent you and take your case on contingency. Therefore, you’ll not need to pay upfront or by the hour.
The lawyer will generally take an agreed portion of the settlement when you win the case. If you don’t win, you’ll not owe us anything.
How Can a Stonecrest Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help?
When you have a Stonecrest drunk driving accident lawyer by your side, you can focus on recovery from the accident as the attorney works on your case. Your attorney can do their best to ensure your case runs as seamlessly as possible.
A lawyer helps in many ways, including:
- Informing you about crucial laws
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating settlements
- Keeping track of time limits
- Establishing the financial value of your case
- Pursuing litigation
- Documenting your pain and suffering
Get Help from an Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Stonecrest Today
Drunk driving accidents can be traumatic, painful, and costly. If you or your loved one is a victim of a drunk driving crash in Stonecrest, the experienced attorneys from Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer can help you seek and receive the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a FREE case evaluation, or give us a call to get started today.