Drunk driving accidents are a serious problem in Columbus and throughout Georgia. If you’re wondering what percentage of accidents are caused by drunk driving, the answer is alarming. According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, more than 1,600 people died statewide as a result of drunk driving accidents in a single recent year, accounting for 27 percent of all traffic fatalities, and another 800 suffered serious injuries. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we believe in holding drivers who make the irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated responsible for the harm they cause.
If an intoxicated driver has injured you or someone you love, we want to help you secure justice and compensation. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation with a drunk driving lawyer in Columbus, and let’s discuss your next steps together.
What Should You Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Columbus, GA?
You can protect yourself after a drunk driving accident in Columbus by taking a few specific steps. Start by contacting law enforcement and telling them you’ve been in a crash and that you believe the other driver is intoxicated. They will respond, investigate, and potentially arrest the driver based on their findings. Until then, be careful when interacting with the other driver, particularly if they’re behaving violently. Try to document the scene with pictures and video if you’re able to.
Be sure to seek medical attention on your own if you’re not transported from the scene. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Report the accident to your insurance provider, but be careful what you say to the adjuster. If the other driver’s insurer contacts you, do not agree to give a recorded statement or sign any settlement offers.
Next, start an evidence folder. Write down what you remember about the crash while your memory is still fresh. Contact the police and request a copy of the accident report. Finally, contact a drunk driving accident attorney, schedule a consultation, and bring your evidence folder with you so they can review it.
Why Choose Stokes Stemle for Your Columbus DUI Accident Case?
Are you wondering how to find attorneys for drunk driving accident cases in Columbus, GA? Look no further than Stokes Stemle, LLC, because of the following:
- We Concentrate Exclusively on Personal Injury Claims – Our lawyers know injury litigation inside and out, and we’ll use that knowledge to your advantage. We have considerable experience taking on insurance companies and holding them accountable for their policyholders’ irresponsible behavior.
- We’re Serious About Customer Service – You’ll communicate directly with your lawyer and not get passed off to junior associates or paralegals. If you need medical care, we’ll help you find it. This high level of commitment consistently earns us 5-star reviews from our satisfied clients.
- We Have a Proven Track Record of Success – Our attorneys have recovered life-changing verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in situations like yours. We have a reputation for maximizing case value, and we’ll do everything we can to secure every cent you’re entitled to.
While you focus on your medical treatment, we’ll get to work doing the following:
- Investigating the car accident to understand what happened
- Recovering evidence of the driver’s intoxication, from toxicology reports to testimony from eyewitnesses who saw them drinking
- Identifying other potentially at-fault parties’ sources of compensation to maximize the value of your claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies and other liable parties for a settlement that pays you fairly without the need for a trial
- Filing a lawsuit and pursuing your case in court if that becomes the best way to get you the justice you deserve
- Charging you nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in Columbus, GA?
A successful drunk driving accident claim can help you recover compensation for the following losses:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost wages and reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement
How Is Fault Proven in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Columbus, GA?
Most DUI accident cases are based on the legal theory of negligence: that by choosing to become impaired by alcohol, a driver failed to exercise reasonable care and fulfill their obligation to operate their vehicle safely and is at fault for a subsequent collision. A DUI accident lawyer can use evidence like chemical tests, eyewitness testimony, and accident reconstructions to show that the driver’s intoxication directly led to the accident and their client’s injuries.
Can You Sue a Drunk Driver in Georgia?
In Georgia, drunk driving isn’t just a crime. When it results in harm to other people, those people can pursue personal injury lawsuits against the drunk driver, separate from any criminal charges the state might pursue against them. In fact, a driver can still be held financially accountable for causing a drunk driving accident even if they’re found not guilty at trial.
How Georgia Laws Affect Drunk Driving Accident Claims
Several laws affect drunk driving claims in Georgia, including the following:
- Georgia’s liability insurance requirements, which mean that accident victims should have access to at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury insurance, as well as $25,000 per accident in property damage insurance
- Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule, which reduces an accident victim’s compensation if they are partially to blame for an accident
- Georgia’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which gives victims two years to file their lawsuit under most circumstances
- Georgia’s Dram Shop Act, which allows victims to hold bars and restaurants accountable for serving minors or visibly intoxicated adults
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Drunk Driving Accident Case
DUI lawyers in Columbus, Georgia, utilize such evidence as the following to prove that a driver was intoxicated and that their intoxication led to a collision:
- Police reports
- Police-administered breathalyzer and chemical tests
- Toxicology tests conducted at hospitals and emergency departments
- Testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the driver drinking
- Surveillance/security footage from bars and restaurants
- Vehicle damage reports and post-accident inspections
In some cases, they may work with accident reconstruction experts to better understand the cause and contributing factors of the crash itself.
Injuries Commonly Suffered in Impaired Driving Crashes
Drunk driving crashes often result in such severe injuries as the following:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Emotional trauma
Especially serious injuries can also lead to permanent disability, which can affect a victim’s independence and quality of life.
Contact a Columbus, GA Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Don’t face the difficult aftermath of a drunk driving crash on your own. Instead, get experienced legal help to demand justice and accountability. Stokes Stemle, LLC offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation, and we will not charge a fee unless we win your case. Contact us today for your fully confidential case evaluation with a Columbus, GA, DUI accident attorney.
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