If a drunk driver struck and injured you in Athens, Georgia, you may be facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. The aftermath of an accident with a drunk driver can be overwhelming as you recover and seek compensation for your injuries.
Luckily, you don’t have to navigate Georgia’s complex personal injury landscape on your own. The experienced drunk driving injury lawyers of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our law office today for a free consultation.
What Should I Do if I am in a Drunk Driving Accident?
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Being in a drunk driving accident is a traumatic experience. Knowing the right steps to take after an accident is essential so you can make the most of your recovery and legal claim.
Some of the most important steps after a drunk driving accident include:
- Seeking Medical Attention – Even if you feel fine, it’s vital that you have a medical professional check you for injuries. Some injuries have delayed symptoms, but a medical evaluation can identify them before complications arise. It’s also crucial to continue seeking ongoing medical care for your injuries to help you recover and create medical documentation of your injuries and treatment.
- Contacting Law Enforcement – You must report any car accident resulting in injury to the police, and this is especially important when the accident involves a drunk driver. You will likely need a copy of the police report to file your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
- Gathering Evidence – If you can, collect evidence at the scene, such as photographs of the damaged vehicles, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area. You should also gather contact information from witnesses your attorney will follow up with.
- Avoiding Discussions of Fault – After a car accident, it’s crucial that you avoid discussing fault with anyone at the scene or with the insurance companies. Insurance companies will use your statements against you in an attempt to deny your claim or lower your settlement.
- Consulting an Athens Car Accident Lawyer – Reach out to an experienced drunk driving injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can guide you through the insurance and personal injury claims processes, protect your rights, and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
What Injuries Can Happen in an Athens Drunk Driving Accident?
Drunk driving accidents can result in severe injuries to victims as head-on and other serious collisions are common.
Some of the most frequent injuries in a drunk driving accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, resulting in long-term or permanent disability.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, significantly altering a victim’s quality of life.
- Broken Bones – The impact of a drunk driving accident can cause fractures and breaks that require medical treatment and extensive rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries – The forces involved in car accidents can damage internal organs and cause internal bleeding. These injuries can be life-threatening without immediate medical attention.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries – Even a low-speed collision with a drunk driver can result in whiplash, causing chronic pain, migraines, and mobility issues.
What Is Considered Drunk Driving in Athens, Georgia?
GA Code § 40-6-391 establishes three distinct blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for different kinds of drivers. The limit for most adult (21+) drivers is 0.08 percent. However, for drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), it is 0.04 percent, while the blood alcohol level for drivers under 21 is 0.02 percent.
It’s important to keep in mind that a driver can suffer impairment even without reaching the legal threshold for intoxication. Just because a driver’s BAC is below 0.08 percent does not mean they weren’t impaired and shouldn’t have been on the road. Your attorney may be able to use this fact to place the fault for the accident on the impaired driver.
Additionally, Georgia has “dram shop” laws, which allow victims of drunk driving accidents to hold businesses that serve alcohol liable for their injuries under certain circumstances. For example, if a bar serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person and they go on to cause an accident, the victim could sue both the driver and the bar. Contact our Athens drunk driving accident lawyer today.
What Compensation Could I Recover in a Drunk Driving Accident?
If you suffered injuries from a drunk driving accident, you may be able to seek various types of compensation, also known as damages. This could include money for your:
- Medical Expenses – These are the costs of your past and future surgeries, hospital stays, prescriptions, medical treatments, medical devices, and rehabilitation related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages – If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or force you to work in a lessened capacity, you can seek compensation for your lost wages and loss of future earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering – You can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you endured due to the accident and your injuries. The subjective nature of this compensation is why you need a lawyer who has the experience to accurately calculate a fair value.
- Wrongful Death – If a drunk driver’s actions caused your loved one’s death, you can seek a wrongful death claim instead of a personal injury claim to recover compensation for the full value of their life.
- Property Damage – You can recover compensation for the damage to your vehicle and other personal property.
An Athens drunk driving attorney can assist you in calculating the full extent of your losses before you file your claim against the drunk driver. Get in touch with our Athens car accident attorney now.
Contact an Athens, Georgia, Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Dealing with the aftermath of a drunk driving accident is a stressful experience, especially if you are recovering from serious injuries. This is where the experience of a drunk driving injury attorney comes in. They’ll handle your claim and seek the compensation you need while you focus on your recovery.
Contact the law office of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and walk you through the claims process.