If you were injured by a drunk driver in Union City, Kaine Law can help you hold them financially responsible for your accident. A Union City car accident lawyer from our firm can fight for compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damages, and more. We offer free case reviews 24/7 so you can readily understand your next steps forward.
Defining DUI in Georgia
In Georgia, a DUI (driving under the influence) is characterized by impairment due to the use of drugs or alcohol. (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391) A driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 (the legal limit) or higher will likely be charged with a DUI. However, a person may be arrested for a DUI even if they have a BAC below the legal limit if their driving ability is shown to be significantly impaired by a substance.
A person driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol is considered negligence and is subject to criminal charges. Unfortunately, this may be of small comfort to those who incur severe injuries or lose a loved one due to an impaired driving accident.
Although it may not make up for the physical and mental costs these victims endure, they are nonetheless entitled to compensation for the damages they incurred in an accident. A driver convicted of a DUI is likely liable to pay for your damages, but they may not be the only person or party who can be held responsible.
For a free legal consultation with a dui car accident lawyer serving Union City, call 404-214-2001
We Want to Help You Get the Awards You Need to Recover from Your Accident
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is reckless, and those who hurt others while doing so should pay. Our Union City personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for:
- Emergency transportation and treatment
- Surgeries and medical procedures
- Medications, mobility aids, and medical devices
- Physical and cognitive therapy
- Hospital stays
- Long-term care services
- Past lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Vehicle and personal property damages
You may also have the right to damages for your pain and suffering. These awards offer monetary compensation for the ways in which your injuries affect your quality of life.
If you have severe injuries, you may seek damages for complications like depression, anxiety, mental anguish, chronic pain, scarring and disfigurement, or loss of a limb or bodily function.
Union City DUI Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
Wrongful Death Compensation
Georgia allows a surviving spouse, children, or parents (in that order) to seek compensation for a loved one’s wrongful death. Surviving family members can pursue awards for the loss of their loved one’s wages, benefits, and services, as well as the loss of their companionship, advice, and support.
The deceased’s estate can recoup losses associated with the deceased’s final medical care, funeral and burial costs, and other necessary expenses arising from their injury and death.
Whatever damages may be available to you, a Union City wrongful death lawyer will help you understand that every accident case is different. How much your case is worth depends on factors including your age, the severity of your injuries, the extent of your pain and suffering, and your out-of-pocket expenses. Another factor that may impact your case is the type/amount of insurance coverage the liable party carries.
Click to contact our DUI Car Accidents lawyers today
How Long You Have to File a Case in the State of Georgia
If your case goes to civil court, it is bound by the statute of limitations. According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
It is important to get started on your case as soon as you are able. The insurance process can take time, and you do not want your window for taking legal action to expire if your settlement attempt does not yield satisfactory results. Should the deadline expire before you can file, the court might not allow you to recover any compensation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Our Lawyers Can Help You Seek Justice After a DUI Car Accident in Union City
Kaine Law has represented personal injury victims in Georgia for more than two decades. We handle all types of car accidents, and our successful results include a $4.3 million dollar DUI accident case. Whether working with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider or your own insurer, you can count on your lawyer to:
- File your insurance claims
- Handle calls, emails, and other communications with the insurance companies
- Investigate your accident and prove the other driver is liable for your injuries
- Review your settlement offers
- Negotiate for the maximum amount of compensation possible for you
- Represent you in a lawsuit, if necessary
We will always listen to your needs, answer your questions, and make ourselves available when you need help. You won’t be left in the dark with Kaine Law on your side.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a DUI Accident
Drunk driving accidents are a significant problem in Georgia. (Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety) In 2019, 353 traffic fatalities (out of nearly 1,500) involved a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher, accounting for 24% of Georgia’s total traffic-related deaths that year.
If you are a drunk driving accident victim, you are not alone—and you need to know what actions to take and how a DUI accident lawyer can assist you in recovering the damages to which you are entitled.
The following are steps you can take in the aftermath of an accident to help yourself in the long run:
Cooperate With Law Enforcement
Drunk driving can result in criminal charges in Georgia, as in all states. It can lead to tragic effects, especially when a person is injured or killed. When a driver is convicted of a DUI, they may have to pay compensation to the injured victim in addition to any criminal case they face.
To recover compensation and ensure the driver responsible for your injuries is brought to justice, you must cooperate with law enforcement and provide any information they request.
Get Medical Care
It’s important to be seen by a doctor promptly after the crash. This way, you can protect your health and start necessary treatment as well as document your injuries. It’s important to have medical records as evidence in any injury case.
File an Insurance Claim or Take Other Legal Action
As Georgia is an at-fault state, you can receive compensation for injuries if the other individual was primarily at fault. This will require you or your personal injury lawyer to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance agency. However, keep in mind that the insurer will only pay up to their policy coverage limits, which could be as low as $25,000.
If the driver who hit you was impaired and you were seriously injured, your damages may exceed the other party’s policy limits. You could be able to bring a lawsuit against the other driver to seek additional damages, including for your pain and suffering or prolonged disability.
A lawyer from our team can explain all of your legal options and handle every step of the legal process for you.
What Should You Do If an Insurance Company Contacts You?
You may think your claims against a DUI driver will be straightforward, but know that the involved insurers will look for reasons to deny or reduce your settlement. If an insurance representative reaches out to you, try not to provide them with information that could affect your claim.
You should remain calm and polite, but only answer basic questions, such as those regarding your contact information. Do not give details about your injuries, your employment, or your personal life. Also, don’t talk about the accident, admit any fault for the accident, or speculate about fault in any way. Make sure you tell the insurance representative to direct further communication through your attorney. From there, they are not to contact you.
Drunk Driving Is Negligent Driving
To win your car accident case, you must prove the driver who caused your crash behaved negligently, meaning that they failed to act with a reasonable duty of care. Choosing to consume alcohol and operate a vehicle is, on its face, negligent. Drinking and driving can cause physical and mental impairment that may result in:
- Speeding
- Failure to maintain lane position
- Difficulty steering
- Loss of vehicle control
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Delays in braking
- Increased risk-taking
- Failure to yield or stop at stoplights and stop signs
We will prove your accident was the result of another driver’s negligent decision to drink and drive. We will collect and review any cell phone or surveillance footage of your crash, obtain official accident and/or police reports, investigate the site of your accident, and speak with eyewitnesses and experts.
Connect With Kaine Law to Get Started on Your Case Today
The Union City lawyers at Kaine Law are ready to help you through every step of your DUI accident case, from filing your insurance claims to taking action in court, if needed. We can do these tasks on contingency, meaning we do not collect a fee unless we win awards in your favor.
For a free, no-obligation case review with one of our team members, call our offices today.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
