Brookhaven
Drunk Driving Victim Accident Lawyer

Drink driving remains a leading cause of accidents and highway fatalities in Brookhaven. For the intoxicated driver, that usually means jail and a suspended license. Unfortunately, for the victims it can be even more difficult.

Many DUI victims will face injuries that last a lifetime, and expensive medical bills – or even the loss of a loved one. If you or someone you love has been harmed in a drunk driving accident, you are entitled to money. You need to enforce your rights. Talk to a Brookhaven drunk driving accident lawyer.

John Foy & Associates are here for you. Our experienced, compassionate attorneys work exclusively to help victims. For more than 20 years, we have built a reputation as one of the top DUI accident claim law firms in Georgia. Let us help you get the settlement you deserve. We’ll give you a free consultation with our attorneys and get you the answers you need.

Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.

I Was Hit By a Drunk Driver in Brookhaven. What do I Need to Know?

There are three main things you need to know about your accident:

1. You are almost certainly not at fault for what happened. We all know that Georgia adjudicates car accidents based on “fault” – the question of who caused the accident. In normal accidents, this can be a murky question that’s hard to answer. In a DUI accident, however, it’s very unlikely that you will be found at fault. An intoxicated driver suffers from poor reaction time, poor coordination and poor decision making. In almost all cases, they are found to be at fault.
2. You may have a right to recover far more money than other accident victims. Georgia allows DUI accident claims to include “punitive” damages, which are designed to punish the drunk driver and compensate the victim. That means your claim may be much larger than it would be in a non-DUI accident.
3. You will still have to deal with an insurance company – and possibly the court system. Even when a DUI driver is at fault, their insurance company is still likely to offer you less money than you truly deserve. Never take the first offer from an insurance company until you have talked to a lawyer. And don’t try to navigate the legal landscape on your own.

How do I Prove that the Other Driver was Intoxicated?

There are several ways you can prove this. Some of the best things involve taking action at the scene itself, if you don’t have to immediately go to a hospital. For example:

• Use your phone. Take video of the other driver so you have proof of slurred speech or intoxicated behavior.
• Talk to officers. Tell them you suspect intoxication. They can run a breath test or a drug test.
• Watch for evidence. The driver may try to empty out a bottle, take breath spray, get rid of a container or throw away drugs. Keep your eyes on them and tell officers what you’ve seen.

These steps aren’t always possible. Even long after the accident, your lawyer can gather evidence by checking doctor reports, police reports, past driving history, police camera footage, and by following up with witnesses. If needed, we can even subpoena the driver’s personal records to see if they used a credit card to purchase drinks earlier in the evening.

How Much Money Am I Entitled to Recover?

In Brookhaven and statewide, the amount of money you can recover is based on how badly you were injured. You should be able to recover 100% of all costs related to the accident, including medical bills, long-term care if needed, and money for missed work or lost earning potential.

You can also recover additional money for non-economic losses – things that don’t really have a price tag on them. This is often the largest part of a settlement. Non-economic losses can include things like:

• Physical pain that you suffered
• Emotional suffering
• Disabilities and long-term conditions you must live with
• Loss of enjoyment of life (can no longer participate in activities you once loved)

And, as discussed above, you may receive extra money as punitive damages from the driver.

All of these factors combine to mean one thing: DUI accident settlements are often far, far larger than other accident settlements. This is part of how our society discourages drunk driving and supports its victims.

My Family Member Was Killed By a Drunk Driver. What Are My Rights?

This is one of the most tragic reasons to lose a loved one, and sadly, it’s common. We’ve seen firsthand what families go through after a loved one dies in a drunk driving accident, and we’re here to help.

When a family member is killed by a drunk driver, you and your family have rights:

• You can likely file a wrongful death claim. This gives you the right to recover money for the accident even if you weren’t directly involved.
• You can recover money for all of the losses above on behalf of your loved one – the costs of all their medical bills and suffering.
• You can receive money for the funeral and other final expenses.
• In many cases, you could be eligible for additional damaged due to loss of companionship.

It’s always hard to talk about money after losing someone you love. We believe that your settlement can help your family during this difficult time. That’s why we work to get you the full amount you deserve with as little stress to you as possible.

Talk to a Brookhaven Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for Free

Drunk driving is not just a crime – it ruins lives. Let us help you and your loved ones make the fullest possible recovery after your accident. John Foy & Associates will give you a FREE consultation, and put over 20 years of experience behind your case.

Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.