Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been hit by a DUI driver in Atlanta? If you need further assistance, call us now at 404-975-1775. Our DUI accident attorneys are ready to help you through the process. We have assisted hundreds of clients hit by DUI drivers for over 40 years. An Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer will be an invaluable asset to have on your side in the aftermath of this type of collision.

DUI drivers are the most dangerous driver there is. Many of them drive on the wrong side of the road or can often be seen repeatedly crossing lane lines. They also account for 40% of car accident fatalities. Recovery from a drunk driving accident can be more challenging than most other accidents due to the severity of the damages that are often involved and the fact that the at-fault driver is likely to face criminal prosecution for their actions.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has the skills, experience, and professional resources to provide the comprehensive personal injury representation you need for your impending drunk driving accident claim. Whether your accident was serious or minor, our attorneys have experience that will prove beneficial to your accident claim.

Here are a few injuries we have assisted our clients with:

• Fractured neck
• Broken knee cap
• Broken leg
• Brain Injury
• Internal bleeding
• Sprained ankle
• Fractured nose
• Serious whiplash
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Bulging disc
• Psychological Injuries

If you are seeking compensation for any of the above injuries, you can contact our skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyer who can help you.

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we promptly begin working on your case after your initial consultation. We typically go to the accident scene to get a better understanding of the information contained in the police report. Then it is always prudent to get pictures of the vehicles damaged in the accident.

DUI accident cases normally settle but when they do not pictures of the accident can be shown to jurors. And it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. Jurors award many thousands of dollars more to accident victims when they have pictures of the vehicles involved in the car accident.

When choosing a DUI accident attorney, be sure to get an attorney that has experience with these types of cases. A lot of attorneys call themselves injury and accident attorneys but they do not specialize in it.

Our attorneys at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm have over 40 years of experience with working with accident victims and their cases. Not only do we have the experience to get you compensated fairly for your injuries but we also understand how general and special damages play apart in your case.

What Makes a DUI Car Accident Different Than a Regular Accident?

A car accident involving a drunk driver can net a 200% to 300% higher settlement than a typical car accident case. The reason is when someone is hit by a DUI driver they are entitled to personal injury and property damages and additionally punitive damages.

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, may be awarded by the trier of fact (a jury or judge, if a jury trial was waived). In addition to actual damages, which compensates a plaintiff for losses suffered due to the harm caused by the defendant, punitive damages are a way of punishing the defendant in a civil lawsuit and are based on the theory that the interest of society and the individual harmed can be met by imposing additional damages on the defendant.

If you are or loved one has been involved in an accident with a DUI driver? Call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today at 404-975-1775 or fill out the free case evaluation form on right side of page.

Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Here are some of the car accident statistics in Atlanta including drunk driving cases:

• Every day people drive drunk almost 300,000 times but fewer than 4,000 are arrested.
• Almost 50% of drivers who were killed in crashes and tested positive for drugs also had alcohol in their system.
• The highest rate of drunk drivers are among 21 to 25 years olds (23.4 percent).
• Drunk drivers are 4.5 times more likely to be driving at night than during the day.
• In the U.S., the number of drunk driving deaths has been cut by 50% since MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) was founded in 1980.
• Drunk driving costs the United States an estimated $199 billion each year.
• Sadly, 2 in 3 people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
• Over 1.2 million drivers are arrested each year for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
• Every day, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes on average.
• On average, a convicted drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before his or her first arrest.
• At any BAC level, the risk of being involved in a crash is greater for young people than for older people.

Ultimately, DUI is an entirely preventable way for car accidents to happen, and drivers throughout the Atlanta area consistently violate the DUI laws and put themselves and others at extreme risk. Georgia enforces strict penalties for DUI violations, but the criminal justice system focuses on punishing defendants, not compensating their victims. A civil suit is required to ensure a defendant is held accountable for your damages.

MADD-Mother’s Against Drunk Driving

Established in 1980, this organization seeks to drive awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, often arranging victim impact panels that confront drivers convicted of DUI with the family members of victims of fatal drunk driving accidents.

For more information visit http://www.madd.org/.

Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Law FAQs

Q: Why Do I Need an Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

A: You need an Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer if you want to reach the optimal outcome for your recovery efforts after a drunk driver has caused an accident with you. The right attorney can help you gather any evidence needed to prove fault for the accident, assist you in uncovering all your claimable damages, and explain how the criminal case against the at-fault driver may impact your recovery. You’re more likely to reach a positive outcome with their assistance.

Q: How Much Is a DUI Accident Claim Worth in Atlanta, GA?

A: The potential value of a successful DUI accident claim in Atlanta will depend on multiple variables. The driver who caused your accident is responsible for your property damage, medical bills, lost income, and any future damages resulting from their actions. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation. Because they broke the law in causing your accident, you could also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion.

Q: Is Georgia a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

A: It is not a no-fault state for car accidents. This means it is essential to prove fault for an accident before you will be able to recover compensation for the resulting damages, and state law requires every driver to have liability insurance that applies when they cause an accident harming another driver. Your Atlanta car accident lawyer can help prove fault for your damages and guide you through the process of recovering your compensation.

Q: What Happens if I’m Found Partially Liable for an Accident in Atlanta, GA?

A: If you are found partially liable for an accident in Atlanta, you will face a diminished recovery under the state’s modified comparative fault rule. This rule states that if a plaintiff is partially responsible for causing their claimed damages, they will lose a percentage of their case award to reflect this. However, their fault must be less than 50%; otherwise, they will lose the ability to claim compensation from any other liable party.

Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire an Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer will depend on the attorney’s billing policy. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm offers legal representation on a contingency fee basis, ensuring that legal representation is accessible to those who need it most. The client pays a percentage of their case award as our firm’s fee, but only after we win their case. There is no fee if we are unable to secure a case award on our client’s behalf.

We handle DUI accident cases across Georgia. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you. If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.