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Drivers make many mistakes behind the wheel. While some don’t result in injuries, others cause catastrophic auto accidents. One of the deadliest mistakes a driver can make is driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
If you have been injured or a loved one has died in a drunk driving accident, contact Nicholson Revell LLP for a free legal consultation in Augusta, Georgia. Our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys can help you pursue justice and financial compensation.
When you hire an attorney, you get an experienced litigator protecting your rights and best interests. Your attorney will make sure the drunk driver’s insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you or devalue your losses. Your lawyer will fight for the compensation you deserve for another driver’s recklessness.
A lawyer can also lend you peace of mind. Investigating and litigating a drunk driving case can be expensive and complex. Your lawyer can take care of everything from gathering the necessary evidence to negotiations and legal processes on your behalf. You should be able to concentrate on healing from your injuries, not a legal battle. Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on what matters most – your recovery.
Drunk driving is against the law in all 50 states. Georgia’s definition of drunk driving is operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level at or above 0.08 percent. This limit is reduced to 0.04 percent if the driver is operating a commercial vehicle. It is further reduced to 0.02 percent (almost any discernible amount of alcohol) for a driver who is under the legal drinking age of 21.
If a driver’s BAC is below one of these limits, he or she could still be guilty of drunk driving if there is enough alcohol to impair the driving ability. Whether or not a driver is drunk is often subject to the circumstances of the case. A driver in Georgia can also be guilty of a DUI for operating a vehicle under the influence of any drug or controlled substance, including prescription medications.
Drunk driving is a serious crime that takes many lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving accidents kill more than 10,000 victims each year. That’s the equivalent of about one death every 50 minutes. Drunk driving is so dangerous because it makes a driver lose the skills that are crucial to safely controlling a motor vehicle. Alcohol can affect:
Alcohol and other substances reduce brain function, impairing a driver’s ability to think, move and operate a vehicle safely. This can lead to devastating auto accidents and related serious injuries.
At Nicholson Revell LLP, our Augusta personal injury lawyers have more than 100 years of combined legal experience representing injured accident victims. We are prepared to help clients with many serious injuries that arise from drunk driving collisions.
These injuries can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs alone, not to mention losses of income and property damage. If a drunk driver gave you or a loved one a severe injury, you have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
Georgia is a fault-based car insurance state. With this law, the driver or party at fault for causing a vehicle collision will be responsible for paying through his or her insurance company. Every driver in Georgia must carry at least the minimum required amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. An at-fault driver will use this insurance to pay for victims’ damages after a car accident.
If you believe another driver is to blame for your car accident due to driving drunk, you can file a claim with that driver’s insurance company for financial compensation for your medical bills, property repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your lawyer can help you prove the other driver’s fault during the insurance process.
You might think the cause of your crash is obvious. In Georgia, however, a drunk driver is not automatically at fault for an accident. Insurance companies investigate these accidents the same way as any other type of accident. It is up to your attorney to prove who is at fault for your drunk driving accident using evidence such as:
Although most drunk driving accident claims settle, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, you may need to take your case to trial. A lawyer can represent you during a DUI accident trial in Augusta. A law firm has the resources and personnel to investigate the crash, gather evidence, and present it before a judge and jury on your behalf.
If you or someone you love has injuries from a drunk driving accident in Augusta, Georgia, it is important to protect your rights by hiring an attorney. The right accident attorney can ensure fair results for your serious injuries and financial losses. Learn more about your case, as well as how the attorneys at Nicholson Revell LLP can help, by requesting a free consultation today.