If you’re asking, “I got hit by a drunk driver—what am I entitled to in Atlanta or Sandy Springs?” our Sandy Springs drunk driving accident lawyer team provides answers here.
Our experienced personal injury attorney team handles drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means drunk driving accident victims won’t pay any legal fees unless we secure a fair final settlement amount or jury verdict.
Call 770-394-8909 for a free consultation.
Georgia DUI Accident Insurance Claims
Understanding the legal process of drunk driving accident claims in Georgia is critical if you’ve been injured. The insurance company for the at-fault party will often attempt to minimize settlement payouts, but drunk driving accident victims have the right to pursue fair compensation.
Navigating the legal process involves proving the drunk driver was negligent and establishing liability for the car accident. Properly handling a drunk driving accident claim ensures you can access the insurance coverage needed to address serious injuries, vehicle damage, and additional non-economic damages. An experienced attorney can help you seek compensation that fairly addresses serious or severe injuries.
I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver With Insurance in Sandy Springs or Atlanta
If you were hit by a drunk driver with insurance coverage, you may need an experienced personal injury attorney if the drunk driver refuses responsibility, the insurance company offers far less than the average settlement, or you face significant medical expenses due to severe injuries.
Filing a personal injury claim is often necessary in drunk driving accidents to ensure you receive a fair settlement amount. Contact our law firm for a free consultation to discuss your individual case.
I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver With No Insurance in Sandy Springs or Atlanta
If you were hit by a drunk driver with no insurance coverage, you may wonder, is Georgia an at-fault state?
Yes, it is, meaning in most cases, drunk drivers are responsible for damages caused by drunk driving accidents. However, if the drunk driver lacks insurance coverage and you don’t have personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage, recovering fair compensation can be challenging.
In drunk driving cases with no insurance policies, a Sandy Springs uninsured motorist lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim to help recover compensation for serious injuries.
I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver Who Was Overserved in Atlanta or Sandy Springs
If a drunk driver hits you, you may have grounds for a Dram Shop claim against the establishment that served alcohol to the other driver. A Sandy Springs and Atlanta Dram Shop lawyer can help determine if the business acted negligently in overserving the drunk driver.
While the insurance company representing the at-fault party may cover some of the drunk driving accident claims, pursuing a Dram Shop case allows you to seek punitive damages for cases of gross negligence. Drunk driving cases involving Dram Shop liability can be complex, but an experienced attorney can help you recover compensation for your losses.
I Got Hit by A Drunk Driver, What Am I Entitled To in Georgia?
Medical Expenses and Ongoing Medical Care for Injuries Sustained in the Drunk Driving Accident
Many ask, “I got hit by a drunk driver what am I entitled to in terms of medical expenses in Georgia?” If you sustained minor injuries, you may not need to pursue a personal injury claim for medical treatment.
However, severe injuries requiring surgery, whether internal or visible injuries, often lead to significant medical bills. Georgia law allows you to recover fair compensation for:
- Medical costs for ambulance and emergency service, especially vital when internal injuries require immediate attention
- Hospital stays and surgery, which are often necessary for serious drunk driving accidents
- Medical bills for physical therapy and rehabilitation care, which are critical for recovering when severe injuries result in nerve or muscle damage
- Medications and necessary equipment
- Future medical expenses, such as extended physical therapy or follow-up surgeries
Filing a drunk driving accident claim ensures you receive resources for these medical costs, particularly when ongoing medical care is required for long-term recovery.
Lost Wages and Lost Income Earning Capacity
If you were hit by a drunk driver in Atlanta or Sandy Springs, you might ask, “I got hit by a drunk driver what am I entitled to in terms of missed work?” Georgia law allows you to seek financial compensation for financial setbacks caused by a drunk driving accident.
If the drunk driver was at fault, their insurance company may be responsible for covering:
- Lost wages from missed work while recovering from injuries
- Lost income for future earnings, if you can no longer perform your previous job due to permanent injuries
- Job retraining and modifications, if you need new skills or workplace accommodations to continue working
While the average settlement varies, it’s important to ensure all financial losses are accounted for when pursuing compensation.
Compensatory damages for lost wages in Georgia aren’t limited to your base salary. Drunk driving accident victims can recover lost income damages for future earnings including missed commissions, bonuses, overtime payments, and other forms of additional lost pay that would have been earned had the drunk driving accident not happened.
Pain and Suffering: Hit by Drunk Driver
If a drunk driver hit you, you may be entitled to non-economic damages, which offer additional compensation for emotional losses. These damages address the impact of the drunk driving accident on your quality of life, such as physical pain and suffering as well as emotional distress caused by such a traumatic experience.
Many clients ask, “I got hit by a drunk driver what am I entitled to in terms of pain and suffering or emotional distress damages?” Common types of non-economic damages in Georgia include:
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health conditions associated with psychological trauma
- Physical pain stemming from injuries that were sustained at the accident scene
- Loss of enjoyment of life, when injuries prevent participation in activities you once enjoyed
- Loss of consortium, referring to the strain on family relationships
In drunk driving cases, these factors influence the final settlement amount, helping to ensure victims of DUI accidents in Georgia are fully compensated for the long-term effects of the crash.
DUI With Property Damage
If you were hit by a drunk driver, you might ask, “I got hit by a drunk driver. What am I entitled to in terms of property damage?” In Georgia, the average settlement typically includes recovery for the costs of vehicle damage repair, rental car expenses, and replacing personal items damaged in car accidents. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is typically responsible for these costs.
For victims of drunk driving accidents, working with a personal injury attorney in Sandy Springs can help you understand if you’re entitled to compensation, navigate the settlement process, calculate diminished value claims in Georgia to ensure proper valuation of your property damage, and secure higher compensation so you can cover associated losses.
Punitive Damages in DUI Accident Settlements
Under Georgia law, punitive damages are available in drunk driving accident cases to punish reckless behavior and deter similar actions. Unlike compensatory damages, which help victims who are entitled to compensation, punitive damages do provide additional compensation but are truly meant to punish the at-fault driver for reckless actions and willful disregard for safety.
In Georgia, these are typically awarded when the defendant’s actions show willful misconduct, malice, or a conscious disregard for safety. Drunk driving cases are unique because Georgia law does not impose a cap on punitive damages (unlike many civil claims). While anyone can seek punitive damages, to secure them, victims must demonstrate clear evidence of the driver’s intoxication and reckless conduct, often requiring strong legal representation.
Average Settlement: Hit by Drunk Driver in Atlanta and Sandy Springs
Settlements vary significantly based on the severity of injuries and damages, and whether punitive damages are pursued. While there is no standard “average settlement,” settlements can be higher for drunk driving accidents due to the egregious nature.
Medical bills, lost wages, and other losses that are considered “economic” are calculated based on tangible financial losses, such as income lost.
Under Georgia law, there is no cap for punitive damages in a drunk driving injury case, which can significantly increase the settlement amount.
The insurance company will frequently aim to minimize settlement payouts, as victims with common car accident injuries in Atlanta and Sandy Springs, such as broken bones, spinal injuries, or head trauma, often face significant financial burdens and emotional distress. Skilled settlement negotiations are essential to ensure a fair outcome.
What Happens if I’m Partially at Fault But Wasn’t Driving Under the Influence?
In certain cases where you are partially at fault but were not driving under the influence, Georgia’s comparative negligence laws allow you to still recover damages, though settlement amounts may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Taking legal action can help ensure you receive a favorable settlement that reflects the full extent of your damages. While there are limitations, working with an experienced legal team increases your chances of securing higher compensation by negotiating settlement amounts that account for your injuries. This approach focuses on achieving the best possible outcome and leaving victims with appropriate settlement amounts despite shared responsibility.
Common Drunk Driving Accidents in Sandy Springs and Atlanta
Here are the most common drunk driving accidents in Sandy Springs and Atlanta.
Family Hit by Drunk Driver
When a family is involved in a drunk driving accident in Atlanta or Sandy Springs, a personal injury lawyer can help address the unique circumstances a drunk driving injury case for multiple parties presents. Most insurance policies cover the policyholder and others living in their household.
Our injury lawyers can recover compensation for medical expenses for each injured family member, lost wages if a parent cannot work, and emotional distress for all family members. We can also pursue punitive damages to hold drunk drivers accountable for their reckless actions and to compensate clients.
Additionally, we handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company to cover property damage, such as larger vehicles used by families, and ensure settlements account for the full impact on the family unit.
One Person Injured by a Drunk Driver
In a drunk driving accident involving a single individual, filing a personal injury claim is essential to securing financial resources for the client’s serious injuries and other losses. Establishing the liability of the at-fault driver is a critical step, as this directly impacts the recovery of damages for medical expenses, lost income, and other non-economic losses. Our attorneys play a key role in navigating the legal complexities of drunk driving accident claims, ensuring that the client’s rights are fully protected.
Drunk Driver Hit My Parked Car
If a drunk driver hits a parked car, lawyers can help the vehicle owner pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Establishing liability in a drunk driving accident is typically straightforward, but a Sandy Springs hit and run accident attorney can ensure that the damages, including vehicle repairs, loss of use, and any personal items damaged, are fully accounted for. Additionally, we can negotiate with insurers to pursue compensation in parked car drunk driving cases without unnecessary delays.
Pedestrian Hit by Drunk Driver
Our Sandy Springs pedestrian accident attorney team can provide crucial support to an injured pedestrian following a drunk driving accident. We can file a personal injury claim to pursue fair drunk driving accident settlements for medical bills, income lost, and emotional distress caused by the incident.
Fatal Drunk Driving Accident
A Sandy Springs fatal car accident lawyer can help family members seek justice and pursue fair compensation after a loved one is hit by a drunk or intoxicated person. We help families file a wrongful death claim based on wrongful death negligence in Georgia, ensuring the intoxicated party is held responsible for the drunk driving accident. Our attorneys pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll caused by the fatal drunk driving accident.
What To Do After Getting Hit By a Drunk Driver in Sandy Springs or Atlanta
After drunk driving accidents, our car accident lawyers in Sandy Springs recommend the following.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
After a drunk driving accident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if it seems like you have minor injuries, internal injuries are not always visible.
Regardless of whether the victim’s injuries were minor injuries or serious injuries, car accident victims need to seek medical attention quickly if they wish to pursue fair compensation for vehicle damage and injuries sustained in the drunk driving accident. Medical records play a major role in settlement payouts, as medical costs often make up a large portion of the final settlement amount.
File a Police Report
Drivers are required to file an accident report in Georgia for any car accidents that result in injuries, death, or property damage. Police reports serve as important evidence in drunk driving cases. After drunk driving accidents, police reports will document the details of each car accident and will verify that the other driver was showing signs of drunk driving on Sandy Springs roads.
Gather Evidence
If you were not injured, it’s important to gather evidence from the accident scene, such as:
- Photos of the accident scene, visible injuries, and vehicle damage.
- Medical records and medical bills documenting the victim’s injuries and treatment.
- Witness statements and contact information from those who saw the drunk driving accident or witnessed the drunk driver’s behavior. For Dram Shop claims, our injury lawyers will work to secure security footage and witness statements from other patrons.
- Police report, which is documentation showing the at-fault driver was drinking.
If you sustained severe injuries after the drunk driving accident, your experienced car accident lawyer from our law firm will gather evidence on your behalf.
Contact a Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyer in Sandy Springs or Atlanta
If you’re asking, “Should I get a lawyer for a car accident in Sandy Springs?” the answer is often yes, especially in cases involving significant injuries or disputes over liability. Our injury lawyers can protect your legal rights, and handle negotiations to help ensure the at-fault party compensates you fairly.
Strong legal representation is particularly important when the drunk driving accident involves complex factors, such as multiple parties or long-term injuries.
How an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help If You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver in Sandy Springs or Atlanta, Georgia
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Assistance
If you were hit by a drunk driver in Atlanta or Sandy Springs and the drunk driver lacks insurance coverage, filing an uninsured motorist claim may be your best option.
PIP insurance, Medpay for car accidents, and Georgia uninsured motorist coverage can help cover your car accident damages, but if you don’t have personal injury protection or additional coverage, recovering financial compensation becomes more complex. In these drunk driving accidents, an experienced personal injury attorney can help negotiate with the insurance company to pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit Against the Drunk Driver
Filing a DUI lawsuit in Sandy Springs can be a complex process, and a personal injury lawyer is essential to navigating the legal system effectively. A lawyer can help victims file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages. Beyond helping victims seek compensation, our injury lawyers help ensure the drunk driver is held responsible, advocating for justice and fair recovery.
Settlement Negotiations
An experienced personal injury attorney is crucial for handling settlement negotiations in DUI accident cases. They understand how much compensation is merited in each civil claim and work hard to secure a fair settlement by ensuring the final settlement amount covers all damages. Skilled attorneys navigate the settlement process and use knowledge of the average settlement in similar personal injury claims to counter low offers and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Sandy Springs and Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Claim Assistance
If you’ve been hit by a drunk or intoxicated driver, it’s essential to understand your legal rights and options. In DUI accidents, especially when severe injuries or multiple vehicles involved are factors, working with an experienced attorney can make a significant difference. Our lawyers handle personal injury cases by gathering evidence, establishing the defendant was liable, and pursuing compensation to address the impact on the victim’s life.
With no upfront cost, you can focus on recovering while our law firm fights for justice. Contact us by calling 770-394-8909 for a free consultation.