When someone decides to get behind the wheel of a car, truck, or motorcycle under the influence, they are playing Russian Roulette with their lives and the lives of other motorists and pedestrians.
Drunk driving is a negative phenomenon many drivers choose despite the several options available to drunk drivers, including Uber and Lyft services. There is no reason for someone to drink and drive. When you or a loved one have become seriously injured from a drunk driving accident, call a drunk driving accident attorney in Lilburn.
The Dangers of Drunk Driving
If a driver who has consumed alcohol states that they can drive, they are lying. Even if the driver has consumed one alcoholic drink, that drink can affect their body and mind in a way they cannot predict. Many factors influence a person’s BAC level, from their size to their gender to the last time they ate something.
When alcohol is consumed into your system, your ability to react quickly and properly assess your environment is reduced. When a driver is physically and mentally impaired, they can seriously hurt those on the roads around them. A drunk driver who fails to notice you driving beside them can attempt to merge into your lane and crash into you.
A drunk driver can also hurt someone on the road when they misjudge their distances and change their speeds at inappropriate times. These actions can lead to serious and fatal injuries.
Get the strong arm
Fatal Injuries Caused by Drunk Driving
Many victims of drunk driving accidents instantly die at the scene. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that a person dies from a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes in the United States. NHTSA also reports that there are 10,000 people whose lives are taken due to a drunk driving accident each year.
The Consequences of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving has serious consequences for all parties involved. When you have been the victim of a drunk driving accident, your road to recovery will be expensive.
Suppose you have been blessed to survive a drunk driving accident. In that case, you are guaranteed to suffer from catastrophic injuries like paralysis, brain injuries, traumatic amputations, severe nerve damage, and internal organ damage. In some cases, you can also experience vision or hearing loss. These injuries require a minimum of hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical care.
Even more important than the financial consequences, you can endure serious mental trauma from a drunk driving accident. If you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, you will have difficulty coming to terms with your loved one’s death. If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, you can suffer depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In addition to these mental disorders, you can suffer from erratic mood swings and irritability.
The Legal Consequences of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is one of those offenses that can be punished in civil court or criminal court. If the drunk driver’s negligence was so egregious, a prosecutor might consider filing criminal charges against the drunk driver in addition to the penalties they can face in civil court. When it comes to civil court, you would be responsible for filing a lawsuit and requesting compensation from the drunk driver.
If a drunk driver faces civil and criminal charges, it can affect whether they will admit to liability in a case. If the drunk driver were being sued in civil court for their accident, they would not admit to being liable in an attempt to avoid incriminating themselves in their future criminal proceedings.
Filing a Lawsuit Against a Drunk Driver
Still, you have the right to file your lawsuit against the drunk driver. As the plaintiff, you are primarily responsible for proving the drunk driver’s fault in your accident. The evidence you provide in your lawsuit will determine many aspects of your case, including whether insurance companies want to settle with you.
Many defendants and their insurance companies want to settle a legal matter as soon as possible. That is why a majority of drunk driving accidents result in a settlement.
Difficulties with Settlements
Many plaintiffs believe a settlement is easier to take than a trial, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Insurance adjusters will use settlement negotiations to torment plaintiffs into accepting low offers. Insurance adjusters will try to stall settlement proceedings by asking plaintiffs to submit ridiculous documents.
Another common tactic that insurance adjusters use is to offer an absurd settlement agreement that is always less than what you are owed for your injuries.
What a Lilburn Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Does for Injured Victims
Being involved in a drunk driving accident is traumatic enough. When you fight for compensation, the experience will throw you off if you are not used to the legal process. You do not need to add more stress to your plate by considering how insurance adjusters will try to refute your claims.
You need a Lilburn drunk driving accident lawyer who is sympathetic to your needs but passionate enough to fight on your behalf.
Establish the Defendant’s Liability
One of the best things a Lilburn drunk driving accident lawyer can do for you is to increase your chances of proving the defendant’s liability. The better your chances of proving the other person’s liability, the more likely your chances of being rewarded your compensation. Your Lilburn drunk driving accident lawyer can use their knowledge and expertise to provide the best evidence for your case and explain why the defendant should be held liable.
Speak with a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Lilburn About Your Injuries
When you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, the person who caused your accident deserves to be held liable for your injuries. Reach out to a Lilburn drunk driving accident attorney at John Foy & Associates to give yourself a greater chance of winning your case. Call our office, or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
