Drunk Driving Accidents

Drivers need to be alert and aware of their surroundings to operate their vehicles safely. Many people get behind the wheel when they are intoxicated, however, and lack the ability to react promptly and appropriately to situations that they encounter on the road. Drunk driving accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries, and people who drive while impaired may face not only criminal charges but also civil liability. If you were injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you should speak to a lawyer regarding your potential claims. The skilled Roswell car accident lawyers at Don Turner Legal Team take pride in helping people harmed by the negligence of others seek justice for their losses. If we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you pursue a successful result.

In Georgia, it is illegal for people to drive while they are intoxicated. Specifically, under the applicable statute, it is unlawful for a person to be in actual physical control of a car while under the influence of alcohol to a degree that makes it less safe to drive. In other words, a person does not need to have a specific blood alcohol level to be found guilty of driving while intoxicated. The law states, however, that a person with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher will be found unable to drive safely as a matter of law.

Drunk drivers tend to travel at a high rate of speed and typically have delayed reaction times and diminished concentration. As a result, they frequently cause high-impact collisions that produce critical injuries. People hurt in drunk driving accidents may be able to recover damages from numerous sources. For example, a plaintiff in a lawsuit arising out of a drunk driving accident may name the intoxicated driver as a defendant. Generally, the plaintiff will assert negligence claims against the defendant. To prove ordinary negligence, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff and that the defendant breached the duty.

The plaintiff also needs to prove that the breach proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer tangible harm. In other words, the accident would not have happened if the defendant had not operated a vehicle while intoxicated. If the defendant was cited for violating the Georgia law prohibiting driving while intoxicated, the plaintiff and their attorney may also be able to argue that the defendant was negligent per se, or negligent as a matter of law.

In addition to seeking compensation from the driver who caused the accident, in certain circumstances, the plaintiff may be able to pursue claims against the party that provided the driver with alcohol as well. Specifically, under Georgia law, a party that knowingly serves, sells, or furnishes alcohol to a person who is noticeably intoxicated, despite a realization that the person intends to drive, may be held civilly liable. In other words, bars, restaurants, and even social hosts that give a visibly intoxicated individual alcohol can be held accountable if they know that the person will drive after consuming the alcohol.

People who drive while intoxicated frequently cause collisions, and they should be held accountable for the harm that people suffer as a result of their reckless actions. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, you should meet with a lawyer as soon as possible regarding your potential claims. At Don Turner Legal Team, our knowledgeable car accident attorneys are well-versed in what it takes to achieve favorable results. If you hire us, we will zealously pursue the best outcome available in your case. We regularly represent people in car accident cases in Roswell, Atlanta, McDonough, and elsewhere in Georgia, including in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clarke, Cherokee, Douglas, Forsyth, Greene, Hall, Henry, Richmond, and Rockdale Counties. You can reach us at (770) 594-1777 or through our form online to schedule a meeting.