Car accidents happen every day in Tucker, and even if you take every precaution to avoid them, you cannot control other people’s actions. Driving while drunk is extremely dangerous, and most people know this but often do it anyway.
Unfortunately, driving while intoxicated affects more than just one person – it’s dangerous for everyone who gets near the drunk driver. Being involved in a drunk driving accident can change you for the rest of your life.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving crash, you may need to speak with a drunk driving accident lawyer in Tucker to determine what your next steps should be.
John Foy & Associates has been helping victims of drunk driving accidents in the Tucker area for over 20 years. We have the experience and knowledge you need to get the money that you deserve after this tragic accident.
We want you to get back on your feet and put your life back together, and we will provide you with the tools and resources to help you do that. Let us give you a free consultation.
Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What does Georgia Consider “Drunk” Driving?
Georgia criminal law sets down the legal definition for whether someone is intoxicated while operating their vehicle. It’s measured by Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
This number is expressed as a percentage. The legal limit for those over the age of 21 is .08%. For most people, this is about two to four drinks in the several hours preceding getting behind the wheel. But, your individual height, weight, how much you’ve had to eat, and a variety of other factors will affect your BAC – never take the number of drinks you’ve had as an exact guide.
However, for your case against the drunk driver, you don’t necessarily have to prove .08% BAC or any level of BAC. And there’s a simple reason for that: anyone that drinks alcohol and then gets behind the wheel can be affected by it – whether they’re over the limit or not.
In some cases, even just one drink can decrease your ability to focus and pay attention to what is happening around you, which makes you more likely to get in a car accident.
For your personal injury case, you don’t have to prove any particular level of “drunkenness.” Instead, you simply have to show that the driver was careless, not in control, or not paying attention. Since alcohol lowers your focus, reaction time, and coordination, explaining that someone had been drinking before getting in the car will increase the likelihood that they were negligent in the operation of their vehicle, causing your accident and damages.
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What Kind of Damages Are Available After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Accidents that involve drunk drivers are often more severe than crashes that are caused by other issues. This is because intoxicated drivers may not react the same way that someone else would to avoid a collision, such as swerving to miss an obstacle or slowing down to try to prevent an accident. These accidents can occur at faster speeds and result in much more severe damage and injuries.
In a drunk driving accident case, you may be able to recover money damages for the following losses or expenses:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages while you’re away from work
- Loss of earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish or anxiety
- Loss of support and care you provided to loved ones
- Property damage
Every case is different so you may have these damages or others as well. An experienced Tucker drunk driving lawyer will be able to help you nail down exactly how much this accident has affected you now or may affect you in the future.
What Should I Do If I Was Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident?
If you suspect that a driver was drunk at the time of the accident, you need to be sure to tell the police officer investigating the claim. They will often be able to spot these issues long before you do, but not always – especially if the other driver has to get medical treatment right away.
Having the police test for alcohol can go a long way in presenting your personal injury case in court. Encourage the police to test, if they haven’t already.
You should also take the following steps after being involved in an accident:
- Talk to witnesses. If anyone saw the collision or witnessed you interacting with the other driver, who was showing signs of being drunk, be sure to get their contact information. Having a third party talk about what happened may be very helpful for your case.
- Gather evidence. If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident and the surrounding areas. Sometimes showing that there were no other potential causes for the crash can be helpful.
- Call the police. Sometimes drunk drivers will urge you not to call the police because they know they will get in criminal trouble for the accident. You definitely should get the police involved. It’s beneficial for your case, and it gets a potentially hazardous driver off the road. It may also help this person get the help they need to deal with a dangerous problem.
- Get a lawyer. If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, an insurance company for the other driver may be contacting you right away to offer you a settlement. Don’t accept the first offer! Call an experienced attorney to help you evaluate the settlement and determine if it will be enough to meet your needs in the future. You may not realize now just how much this accident could affect you for the rest of your life, and you need medical and legal experts to help you put that into perspective.
Talk to a Tucker Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to go through this recovery process alone. You can use our services to help you put your life back together. Don’t wait to get started. Let us give you a FREE consultation.
Call John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
