Drunk driving is a criminal offense across Georgia. However, when drunk drivers cause car accidents, the victims of those collisions have the right to be compensated for the various ways the accident and their injuries have affected their lives.
If you suffered catastrophic injuries in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you are entitled to recover the money you will need to get through these challenging times. A Decatur car accident lawyer at Kaine Law can help you get the most out of your case. You can contact our office today for a free consultation.
Who Is Liable for Your Decatur DUI Car Accident?
Establishing liability and holding the drunk driver accountable are among the most important responsibilities your Decatur personal injury lawyer will have. Drunk driving can be proven through chemical blood alcohol testing, police reports, and field sobriety test results, among other pieces of crucial evidence, including accident reconstructionist reports.
However, other parties can share liability when you are injured in an accident that a drunk driver caused. Your attorney will often determine whether an establishment that serves or sells alcohol could also be at fault for your injuries.
These establishments are known as dram shops. Under Georgia dram shop liability laws, as outlined in O.C.G.A. 51-1-40, establishments that over-serve or sell alcohol to someone already under the influence can be held accountable for the injuries any victims sustain when that intoxicated driver causes a DUI car accident. They also could be held liable if they sell alcohol to drivers who are minors or younger than the legal drinking age, which is 21 in the United States.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer serving Decatur, call 404-214-2001
What Is Your Decatur DUI Car Accident Claim Worth?
After your Decatur DUI car accident, you may suffer more than just physical injuries. The financial damages associated with DUI car accident claims are often considerable, not to mention the emotional trauma of the collision.
Fortunately, under the law, you have the right to be repaid for every loss. While it’s impossible to predict the exact amount of compensation you will receive, an accident lawyer with experience handling drunk driving cases can help you recover the losses you suffered from the accident.
Some of the more commonly awarded types of economic (financial) and non-economic (non-financial) damages in Decatur DUI car accident claims include:
- Expenses for medical care
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Unexpected child care expenses
- Household upkeep expenses
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Wrongful death
- Loss of companionship and love
- Loss of society and support
- Loss of guidance and advice
- Increased insurance premium costs
These are only a few more common damages you could recover as part of your DUI car accident personal injury claim. You can find out more information about what your case could be worth when you contact our office to discuss your damages in greater detail.
Decatur Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
How Our Lawyer Can Help Your Decatur DUI Accident Case
When you hire us to represent you, we will take over and manage your case. We will take care of all your legal matters while you heal from your accident. We will build and manage your case and do all the following and more:
- Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company
- Preparing and filing a lawsuit within Georgia’s statute of limitations if we cannot secure a settlement
- Investigate your Decatur DUI accident
- Collect and review the evidence (e.g., a police report, photos of your injuries, video surveillance from the accident scene)
- Speak with witnesses about their testimony
- Name all liable parties and establish their negligence
- Assess your damages and place a dollar amount on each
We will keep you updated throughout your case, explaining all case developments, case law, and answering your questions. We will work for your maximum recovery and seek a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Click to contact our Drunk Driving Accidents lawyers today
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
If you lost a loved one who was involved in an auto accident with a drunk driver, your lawyer can file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit to help you recover the financial losses.
While financial compensation won’t heal your grief, it can help to pay for things like medical expenses you or your family paid before your loved one’s passing, funeral expenses, and your loved one’s future earning potential, which your family depended on.
These are just a few of the losses for which you can receive compensation. Your drunk driving accident lawyer in Decatur can explain the details during a no-obligation consultation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
You Can Still Sue for Damages If You Partially Caused Your Decatur Accident
If you are found to have played a role in the accident, you can still pursue damages against the liable party if your percentage of fault does not exceed 49 percent, per O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. For example, if it is determined that you were 40 percent liable for the accident, your award would be reduced by that amount. So, if your award is $120,000, you would receive only $72,000 of it.
We will use the evidence in your case to prove your position and demonstrate how the defendant’s liability is greater than yours.
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to Sue After a Decatur DUI Car Accident
A mistake some people make after being hurt in a drunk-driving car accident is failing to act on their claim before the statute of limitations deadline expires. When pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for a DUI car accident, you generally have two years from the accident date to pursue your case under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
However, if you pursue a lawsuit against a government agency, O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5 shortens the statute of limitations to just six months. Our legal team will ensure this critical legal detail does not adversely impact your ability to pursue damages for your DUI-related auto accident in Decatur. We will review your situation and advise you of all timelines and deadlines that apply.
We Can Start on Your Case with No Upfront Fees
The legal team at Kaine Law works on contingency, which means our clients do not pay us attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for them through an insurance claim or a court-ordered verdict.
Our goal is to provide legal representation to anyone who seeks it without worrying about how they will pay legal fees. We want to ensure you achieve and maintain financial stability during this time. If we cannot secure compensation for you, you won’t have to pay us for our services.
Call Us Today to Review Your Decatur DUI Car Accident
Dealing with complex insurance claims and litigation processes can be overwhelming while you are still recuperating from your injuries. When a drunk driver causes your collision, holding them accountable may be the best way to access the compensation you need to cover your costs and rebuild your life.
You don’t have to pursue recovery from a Decatur-area DUI accident alone. Kaine Law offers an initial free, no-obligation consultation to prospective clients so that they can learn more about how our DUI car accident lawyer can help them. Call our office today to get started.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
