Drunk Driving Accidents

Fighting for Victims of DUI Accidents in Georgia

Drunk driving remains one of the leading dangers on American roadways, accounting for roughly 29 deaths each day according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Because the risks of alcohol impairment are so extreme when motor vehicles are involved, there are strict laws that prohibit motorists from driving under the influence. However, the statistics clearly show many drivers still negligently endanger the lives of others by driving drunk.

At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., our award-winning car accident attorneys have fought for victims and families throughout Athens and the state of Georgia since 1984.

As a firm that prioritizes close and personalized working relationships with clients, we know first-hand just how devastating drunk driving accidents can be, and how tremendously victims and their loved ones can suffer due to the negligence of others.

By leveraging our extensive experience and resources, we help victims of drunk driving accidents protect their rights in the civil justice system, and guide them step-by-step through the legal process of recovering the compensation they deserve.

Injured in a drunk driving accident? Call (706) 354-4000 for a FREE consultation.

Drunk Driving and Negligence

Georgia, like every state in the nation, prohibits motorists from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That’s because intoxicated motorists have substantially increased crash risks by their inability to be aware of their surroundings, slowed reaction time, and risky decision making.

When drunk drivers cause wrecks, the law views those crashes not only as a crime, but also preventable if not for the driver’s negligence and disregard for the safety of others.

Although DUI accidents commonly result in drunk drivers being charged with crimes, those criminal cases are not a viable source of compensation for victims. As such, victims and families must pursue personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits in civil court, which are proceedings conducted separately from criminal cases.

These civil lawsuits focus on whether or not a driver was negligent in upholding their legal duty to safely operate a motor vehicle, and how that negligence more than likely resulted in preventable accidents and injuries.

Your Rights as a DUI Victim

Because all motorists have a legal duty to take measures that allow them to drive safely, driving while intoxicated is an explicit breach of that legal duty. By proving this through evidence (such as a driver’s BAC level as indicated by a chemical test) and clear and convincing arguments, drivers can be held accountable for their breach of duty and liable for the damages victims suffer in wrecks they caused. These damages can include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income or diminished earning potential
• Mental anguish
• Loss of quality of life and other emotional injuries

By holding drunk drivers accountable for their negligent, careless, and unlawful conduct, victims have the right to recover the economic and non-economic damages they incurred as a result. Families who lose loved ones in fatal DUI accidents caused by drunk drivers also have a right to recover financial compensation for their losses – including lost financial and emotional support – through wrongful death lawsuits.

Although the pathways for compensation are available, it must be noted that full and fair recoveries are never guaranteed. That’s due largely to the aggressive efforts insurance companies make when defending against personal injury and wrongful death claims, and fighting to pay victims as little as they possibly can.

In order to level the playing field with these powerful insurance companies, and fight for full compensation, victims can work with experienced personal injury attorneys like those at Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., to clearly establish the elements of a successful case, and seek a recovery for the full scope of damages suffered.

Discuss Your Case During a FREE Consultation

Drunk driving is a negligent and careless act that should never be tolerated, and an act for which drivers can be held criminally and civilly accountable. If you have questions about your rights following a drunk driving accident, whether you can file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, and what our attorneys at Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. can do to help, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We serve clients throughout Georgia from multiple office locations. There is no fee unless we recover money for you in your case.

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