Drunk driving car accidents in Athens cause devastating injuries and destroy too many lives every year. When drivers who have been drinking make the reckless decision to get behind the wheel, innocent victims end up paying the price.
The car accident lawyers at Massey Law Personal Injury Attorneys are committed to holding these drunk drivers accountable and helping victims recover the compensation they deserve after these preventable tragedies.
Even small amounts of alcohol start impairing someone’s driving skills right away. At 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), drivers are legally drunk, but what many people don’t realize is that impairment actually begins at much lower levels.
Alcohol affects vision, making it harder to track moving objects. Depth perception becomes distorted. Peripheral vision narrows, creating dangerous blind spots. Reaction time slows significantly with alcohol consumption. Drunk drivers cannot respond quickly to hazards. They may not brake in time to avoid collisions.
There is no excuse for anyone to drive when impaired, and our Athens lawyers hold drunk drivers responsible after they cause accidents.
Drunk drivers cause various types of accidents in Athens. Head-on collisions happen when impaired drivers drift into oncoming traffic or drive the wrong way, and these crashes often result in fatalities due to high-impact forces.
Rear-end accidents occur when drunk drivers don’t notice stopped traffic. Their delayed reactions prevent timely braking, and multiple vehicle pile-ups may result from these crashes. Rollover accidents might happen when drunk drivers overcorrect after leaving their lanes.
Drunk driving accidents often cause catastrophic injuries that are completely preventable. For example, traumatic brain injuries are common in Athens DUI crashes. These injuries can cause permanent cognitive problems, and some victims require lifelong care and supervision.
Spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis, and even incomplete spinal injuries can cause significant disabilities. Victims may need wheelchairs and extensive home modifications.
Internal injuries require immediate medical attention. Organ damage may not be immediately apparent, and delayed treatment can lead to life-threatening complications.
Police reports, field sobriety tests, and blood/breath tests can be important evidence of intoxication. A conviction for DUI can serve as proof of the driver’s liability. Our lawyers gather everything we need to build a strong case.
Under Georgia’s dram shop law, bars and restaurants in Athens can be liable for drunk driving accidents if they serve visibly intoxicated patrons. Proving this requires evidence like surveillance or witness testimony, offering victims additional compensation. Private individuals who serve alcohol may also face liability, as state law holds social hosts responsible for serving minors who cause drunk driving accidents.
Victims of drunk drivers can seek compensatory damages to cover:
Georgia allows punitive damages in some drunk driving cases in addition to compensatory damages. These damages punish drunk drivers for their reckless behavior. They also deter others from driving while intoxicated. Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of intoxication, and that the drunk driver’s conduct was willful or wanton.
Drunk driving car accidents in Athens might seem straightforward, but can lead to complicated legal claims. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you need experienced legal advocates fighting for you. Contact Massey Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. Our dedicated accident attorneys will pursue full compensation.
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