People hurt in accidents caused by intoxicated drivers have the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit. A lawyer at Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law can help you understand your options following a drunk driving car accident in Duluth and hold the responsible party accountable.
Our compassionate, bilingual auto accident attorneys are ready to defend what matters, protecting your rights and seeking fair compensation on your behalf.
Suing the Drunk Driver
The law considers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to be negligent behavior, and you can therefore file suit against the drunk driver who caused your accident. Georgia is not a no-fault state, so a claim must show that they are directly to blame for the accident and your injuries. Your personal lawsuit, which is separate from any criminal charges the driver may face, seeks to recover financial damages for your losses.
Unlike an insurance claim, a lawsuit can involve parties other than the intoxicated driver. For example, Georgia’s Dram Shop Act, found in Georgia Code § 51-1-40, allows you to sue businesses that unlawfully serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person. Under this law, you can also sue party and event hosts who knowingly provide a clearly drunk individual with alcohol. A Duluth attorney can help you identify and prove the liability of all parties responsible for a drunk driving car wreck, pursuing the maximum compensation available.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering
In addition to medical bills, lost income, and other financial losses, drunk driving crashes can cause significant physical and emotional distress. State law allows you to seek unlimited compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
One common method of calculating pain and suffering is the multiplier approach. You decide the multiplier by ranking the severity of your injuries from one and a half to five, and this is then applied to your economic damages, which include medical bills and lost wages. As the state has no cap on pain and suffering damages, a drunk driving accident settlement can be substantial.
The multiplier used depends on factors such as the type and severity of your injuries, the duration of your recovery, and any scarring or disfigurement. A skilled Duluth drunk driving accident attorney can build a strong case for a higher multiplier, while the insurance company will likely argue for a lower one.
Our experienced team meticulously reviews your medical records to fully understand your damages. We will then use this evidence to fight for the maximum possible compensation for your economic losses and your physical and mental suffering.
Is It Necessary to Hire a Lawyer?
Hiring representation after a drunk driving accident can protect your rights and improve your chances of a fair outcome. After an accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will often try to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. It is best to avoid speaking with insurance companies and signing any documents without first consulting your lawyer.
A proactive attorney can identify all potential sources of compensation after a car accident in Duluth beyond the drunk driver’s insurance policy. This may include your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or claims against a third party. We give your claim the personalized attention it deserves and make the legal process clear and manageable. We can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf or take your case to trial if needed.
Contact Us in Duluth for Legal Advice After a Drunk Driving Car Accident
If an intoxicated driver caused an accident that harmed you or a loved one, you do not have to handle the legal process alone. We understand the challenges families face after drunk driving car accidents in Duluth, and an approachable lawyer from our firm will work to defend what matters to you.
Contact us now to schedule a free consultation.
People hurt in accidents caused by intoxicated drivers have the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit. A lawyer at Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law can help you understand your options following a drunk driving car accident in Duluth and hold the responsible party accountable.
Our compassionate, bilingual auto accident attorneys are ready to defend what matters, protecting your rights and seeking fair compensation on your behalf.
Suing the Drunk Driver
The law considers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to be negligent behavior, and you can therefore file suit against the drunk driver who caused your accident. Georgia is not a no-fault state, so a claim must show that they are directly to blame for the accident and your injuries. Your personal lawsuit, which is separate from any criminal charges the driver may face, seeks to recover financial damages for your losses.
Unlike an insurance claim, a lawsuit can involve parties other than the intoxicated driver. For example, Georgia’s Dram Shop Act, found in Georgia Code § 51-1-40, allows you to sue businesses that unlawfully serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person. Under this law, you can also sue party and event hosts who knowingly provide a clearly drunk individual with alcohol. A Duluth attorney can help you identify and prove the liability of all parties responsible for a drunk driving car wreck, pursuing the maximum compensation available.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering
In addition to medical bills, lost income, and other financial losses, drunk driving crashes can cause significant physical and emotional distress. State law allows you to seek unlimited compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
One common method of calculating pain and suffering is the multiplier approach. You decide the multiplier by ranking the severity of your injuries from one and a half to five, and this is then applied to your economic damages, which include medical bills and lost wages. As the state has no cap on pain and suffering damages, a drunk driving accident settlement can be substantial.
The multiplier used depends on factors such as the type and severity of your injuries, the duration of your recovery, and any scarring or disfigurement. A skilled Duluth drunk driving accident attorney can build a strong case for a higher multiplier, while the insurance company will likely argue for a lower one.
Our experienced team meticulously reviews your medical records to fully understand your damages. We will then use this evidence to fight for the maximum possible compensation for your economic losses and your physical and mental suffering.
Is It Necessary to Hire a Lawyer?
Hiring representation after a drunk driving accident can protect your rights and improve your chances of a fair outcome. After an accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will often try to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. It is best to avoid speaking with insurance companies and signing any documents without first consulting your lawyer.
A proactive attorney can identify all potential sources of compensation after a car accident in Duluth beyond the drunk driver’s insurance policy. This may include your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or claims against a third party. We give your claim the personalized attention it deserves and make the legal process clear and manageable. We can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf or take your case to trial if needed.
Contact Us in Duluth for Legal Advice After a Drunk Driving Car Accident
If an intoxicated driver caused an accident that harmed you or a loved one, you do not have to handle the legal process alone. We understand the challenges families face after drunk driving car accidents in Duluth, and an approachable lawyer from our firm will work to defend what matters to you.
Contact us now to schedule a free consultation.