Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Gainesville
The effects of alcohol severely impair safe driving abilities such as judgment, reasoning, depth perception, and muscle coordination. These impairments significantly increase the risk of dangerous drunk driving accidents.
After a drunk driving accident in Gainesville, GA, you may be suffering from severe injuries and dealing with overwhelming medical expenses while unable to work and earn a living. You could be entitled to compensation for your losses from a drunk driving accident injury claim.
Our award-winning car accident lawyers at the Weaver Law Firm have the experience and resources needed to handle even the most complex drunk driving accident claims. Contact us today to discuss the details of your Gainesville drunk driving accident case in a free initial consultation.
How Can a Gainesville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help You?
If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver in Gainesville, GA, you don’t need to face the aftermath alone. The trusted drunk driving accident lawyers at the Weaver Law Firm can help you by:
- Thoroughly reviewing your case at no charge, explaining your legal rights, and providing clear and valuable legal advice
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the drunk driving accident to uncover valuable evidence and determine who was at fault
- Managing critical legal documents and deadlines on your behalf
- Communicating with insurance providers, attorneys, and other parties on your behalf
- Negotiating forcefully to maximize the compensation you receive for your losses
- Representing you in court if you choose to pursue a lawsuit against the drunk driver
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Crash?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, any of the following individuals could be held liable for a Gainesville drunk driving crash:
- The drunk driver – In most DUI accident cases, the intoxicated driver who gets behind the wheel is primarily responsible for the wreck.
- A bar, restaurant, or liquor store – Under Georgia’s dram shop liability laws, an establishment that knowingly serves alcohol to an underage or noticeably intoxicated person can be partially liable for subsequent drunk driving crashes.
- A social host – Social hosts who serve alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated adults can be held liable just like negligent vendors.
I’m the Victim of a DUI Accident. What Do I Do?
As the victim of a DUI accident, you may be overwhelmed by painful injuries and uncertainty about the future. You can protect your health and safeguard your legal rights after a drunk driving accident by taking the following steps:
- Seek prompt medical attention for your injuries and follow through on your doctor’s orders.
- Gather evidence related to the accident, such as photos of the scene and statements from eyewitnesses.
- Keep track of any medical bills, repair invoices, and other documents from your accident-related expenses.
- Avoid sharing posts, comments, or photos related to the accident or your injuries on social media while your claim is pending.
- Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer for a free professional legal consultation.
Compensation After an Accident Caused by an Impaired Driver
With the help of a drunk driving accident lawyer in Gainesville, GA, you can file an injury claim to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses from the treatment of your accident-related injuries
- Lost wages from any time you miss at work while you recover from your injuries
- Lost future earning potential, if you become disabled as a result of your accident-related injuries and cannot return to your previous career path
- Pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- Punitive damages, which are intended to punish the drunk driver and other egregiously reckless parties
- Out-of-pocket costs from incidental expenses related to the accident, such as costs of travel to and from medical appointments
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs from accident-related damage
How Long Do You Have to File an Accident Claim in Georgia?
Like other states, Georgia has a statute of limitations law that limits the amount of time you have to file certain types of lawsuits. When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, Georgia’s statute of limitations provides a two-year time frame.
This two-year window begins on the date of the drunk driving accident. If you wait to file until after the two-year deadline expires, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to demand compensation.
A knowledgeable drunk driving accident attorney can help you determine the time limits for your injury claim and make sure your case paperwork gets filed promptly.
Georgia Drunk Driving Laws
Georgia drunk driving laws prohibit motorists from operating or being in “actual physical control” of a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol. In this case, a driver is in “actual physical control” of a car if they are sitting in the driver seat and in possession of the vehicle’s keys while intoxicated, even if the car is not running.
Under Georgia law, a driver is illegally intoxicated if:
- They are 21 years old or older with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more
- They are a commercial driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or more
- They are under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or more
Criminal penalties for drunk driving are a completely separate legal matter from civil liability for a crash that resulted from a motorist’s impairment.
What Happens If the Driver Is Acquitted or Never Charged?
If the drunk driver who caused the accident is acquitted of any DUI charges or never faces any charges at all, you might be wondering whether you still have a case. The short answer is yes. You still have the right to pursue legal action regardless of the other driver’s DUI charges.
DUI charges, reckless driving charges, and other similar charges are criminal offenses. Drivers who face these charges must appear in criminal court and may incur harsh penalties – or their case may end in acquittal or a lesser charge.
A personal injury lawsuit is a type of civil case. Civil lawsuits are separate matters from the charges prosecutors pursue in criminal court. Although a criminal conviction on behalf of the other driver could bolster your claim, you can still seek compensation through a civil lawsuit, even if the drunk driver does not face any charges or receives an acquittal.
Contact Our Experienced Gainesville, GA, Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you suffered severe injuries in a Gainesville drunk driving crash, the attorneys at the Weaver Law Firm want to help you. Contact our trusted team today to learn more in a free initial case review.