The consequences associated with drunk driving accidents in Atlanta, including life-altering injuries and tragic loss of life, can severely impact the lives of Georgia DUI accident victims and their families. Unfortunately, DUI accidents continue to affect Georgia residents at an alarming rate, accounting for thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities every year.
In addition to catastrophic physical injury, drunk driving accidents in Atlanta and across Georgia contribute to other serious types of harm affecting victims and their families, including crippling medical bills, lost wages, emotional suffering, and the devastating loss of a loved one if the accident results in the victim’s death.
For those who have been adversely affected by a DUI accident in Georgia, seeking qualified legal representation can improve your chances of
collecting the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact our experienced Atlanta DUI accident attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak today to discuss your legal options.
Incidence of a DUI Accident in Georgia
In 2008, 415 people in Georgia died in alcohol-related collisions out of the 1,483 total traffic fatalities reported that year. Nationwide, out of the 37,261 total traffic fatalities reported in 2008, 11,773 were the result of an alcohol-related accident. Drunk driving is a major cause of severe car accidents in Georgia and throughout the United States, resulting in a significant number of injuries and deaths every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one in every three fatal accidents in the U.S. involved a driver who was legally drunk.
Types of Marietta Drunk Driving Accidents
In Georgia and in most other states in the U.S., the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08%, which means that anyone caught operating a motor vehicle in Georgia with a BAC above this limit will automatically be charged with a DUI, regardless of his or her driving ability. What many drivers fail to realize is that even consuming a small amount of alcohol can significantly impair their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Drunk driving accidents in Atlanta are often caused by an intoxicated motorist driving at excessive speeds, failing to yield to traffic signals, driving while using a cellphone, or participating in aggressive or reckless driving. Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is extremely dangerous and significantly increases a driver’s risk of being involved in a drunk driving accident, accidents that account for numerous highway injuries and vehicular deaths each year.
Injuries Caused by a GA DUI Accident
The severity of a DUI accident varies greatly depending on a number of factors, including the extent to which the driver is intoxicated and whether or not the victims were obeying Georgia's seat belt laws at the time of the accident. Some of the most common injuries resulting from GA drunk driving accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and bruises
- Amputation
- Concussion
- Wrongful death
Seeking Compensation for Atlanta DUI Accident Injuries
Victims of injuries caused by Marietta drunk driving accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for the consequences associated with the accident, including current and future medical expenses, loss of income, future wages if the victim is unable to return to work, and emotional pain and suffering. Similar compensation may be available to the family members or dependents of an individual who was killed in a Georgia DUI accident.
Hire an Atlanta DUI Accident Attorney Today
Even though drunk driving is illegal in every state in the U.S., and despite the fact that states are strengthening penalties for drunk drivers, the incidence of DUI accidents in Georgia and across the country indicates that drunk driving remains a serious cause of injury and loss of life. If you or a loved one has suffered from serious injuries caused by a Georgia DUI accident, contact our skilled drunk driving accident attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak to discuss your options for legal recourse. Under Georgia law, the statute of limitations for filing a drunk driving accident claim is two years, after which time the claimant’s case may be dismissed by the court. With the help of our experienced personal injury lawyers, victims of DUI accidents can pursue fair and timely reimbursement for their injuries and protect themselves and their family from further harm.