Drunk driving accidents are some of the most deadly collisions across the country. Those who survive may endure life-changing injuries, considerable emotional distress, and astronomical financial losses. You have the right to maximize the compensation when another party’s negligence causes your damages.
Get help making the at-fault party pay for their liability. Contact an experienced Fayetteville drunk driving accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates today. Schedule a free consultation to find out more about how the claims process works and how you could get the most out of your insurance and civil claims.
When to Call a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Fayetteville for Help
After a drunk driving accident, your first call may be to police and emergency responders. But shortly after that, you should be sure to contact a drunk driving accident attorney in Fayetteville for help. The sooner you get an attorney on your case, the sooner we can begin gathering time-sensitive evidence that could be lost if we do not get started soon enough. You may not be sure whether you should contact a drunk driving accident attorney for help.
However, if another party is or could be at fault for your damages, as is often the case in drunk driving accident claims, you may have the right to compensation. However, you must also have suffered substantial damages to have grounds for an insurance or civil claim. Damages do not necessarily need to be entirely financial in nature, as you have the right to be compensated for both physical damages and emotional trauma as well.
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Common Injuries Seen in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents are known for resulting in catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. In fact, many drunk driving accidents prove fatal. Those pursuing damages in a drunk driving accident claim may suffer various injuries.
However, there are some types of injuries we see more often in drunk driving accident claims than in other types of personal injury lawsuits. Some of these injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Compound fractures
- Head injuries and coma
- Concussion and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Hemorrhage or stroke
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back injuries and herniated discs
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Road rash and lacerations that become septic
- Internal injuries including bleeding and organ puncture
- Emotional injuries
If you suffered another injury we did not include above, that does not mean you cannot pursue a drunk driving accident lawsuit. If your injuries have had a significant impact on your life, you may have the right to restitution for your suffering. Find out what is next for your case when you contact your Fayetteville drunk driving accident attorney for help.
Establishing Liability for a Drunk Driving Accident in Fayetteville
Proving fault is critical in any type of personal injury claim. You might assume that proving fault in a drunk driving accident claim is going to be easy, but your attorney will still need to prove liability based on a preponderance of the evidence.
The drunk driver in your case can be held both criminally and civilly accountable. Your drunk driving accident lawyer in Fayetteville will be responsible for handling your civil lawsuit and insurance claims.
Common Liable Parties
Generally, the drunk driver will be held accountable for your damages. You may be able to file a claim with their insurance company under Georgia’s fault laws or a claim with your own insurer if you purchased personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
However, you might be surprised to learn that another party’s negligence could also play a part in your injuries. If social hosts or dram shops over-served or sold alcohol to someone who is already visibly intoxicated, and that party goes on to cause a collision, the social host or establishments could be held accountable for your damages.
You can find out more about who could be named culpable in your drunk driving accident claim when you contact our office to discuss the investigation and culpability in your case.
Evidence that May Be Valuable to Your Case
You know liability must be proven based on a preponderance of the evidence. But what does that mean? Essentially, the evidence your attorney percent at trial must convince the judge and jury that the defendant is more likely they are not liable for causing your drunk driving accident injuries.
Some of the most powerful types of evidence that could be used to support your case could include:
- The liable party’s blood alcohol content test results
- The liable party’s cell phone records
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Safety inspection locks
- Video footage from local dram shops or social gatherings
- Photos of the drunk driving accident victim’s injuries
- Reports from police and accident reconstructionists
- Witness accounts and expert testimony
What Is Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim Worth?
To find out how much your drunk driving accident claim is worth in Fayetteville, your attorney will need to go over your damages in detail. You may hope to be compensated for your medical bills and lost income, but you might be shocked to discover you have the right to be repaid for every loss.
Although no amount of funds is going to change what you have been through, the financial burden you are experiencing could be dramatically lessened if you win your case. Some of the different types of losses you may be entitled to recover as part of your drunk driving accident claim include:
- Physical and occupational therapy costs
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital bills
- Costs of prescription medications
- Transportation fees
- Rental car costs
- Increases to your insurance premium amounts
- Loss of income and potential future earnings
- Loss of enjoyment of life and consortium
- Disfiguring injuries and skin scarring
Contact a Fayetteville Drunk Driving Accident Attorney for Help Today
Drunk driving accident claims may be more complex when the defendant is also facing criminal charges. Make sure you have an experienced legal advocate working on your case to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Reach out to a respected Fayetteville drunk driving accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates for help today. Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to drunk driving accident victims across Fayetteville and nearby cities. Claim yours when you call our office or fill out our secured contact form.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form