Drunk driving is a crime in Georgia. If you’ve been hurt due to the actions and choices of another driver, you may have the right to seek damages for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. However, the aftermath of an accident can be a very confusing time for victims and their families and not all victims are aware of the steps they need to take to navigate the insurance claims process. Amanda Hall Injury Law are Acworth and Kennesaw, Georgia drunk driving injury lawyers who may be able to assist you and your family if you or someone you love was hurt in a drunk driving crash.

What steps can you take following a drunk driving crash to protect your rights? What are your rights? Here are five things you can do if you’ve suffered a drunk driving injury in Georgia:

• Make a Claim With the Drunk Driver’s Insurance Company. Insurance claims will pay for damages that a drunk driver causes. If another driver was at fault for a DUI crash, and you make a claim for maximum possible compensation from the insurance company, you and your family may be able to receive the maximum possible claim permitted under the law. Why? Drunk driving claims are unique in that victims and families may be entitled to seek both compensatory damages (a settlement for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering) as well as punitive damages (a settlement to punish the drunk driver for his or her irresponsible actions). Insurance companies may be required to defend a drunk driver in court if you or your loved ones seek punitive damages. In order to avoid the costs of a lengthy court battle, sometimes insurance companies are willing to settle out of court by offering the maximum possible insurance settlement to victims and their families. However, it can be helpful to have a drunk driving injury lawyer in Acworth and Kennesaw, Georgia on your side, assisting you with your case.
• Assist the Criminal Case. The outcome of a drunk driver’s criminal case can have an impact on the civil case you make. Even if the drunk driver gets reduced charges or is permitted to attend an alcohol treatment program instead of facing jail time, if you or a loved one have been hurt by the drunk driver, you may be entitled to seek damages either through an out-of-court settlement or by taking your case to civil court. If you are asked to serve as a witness for the criminal case, you may want to speak to your lawyer about whether it is in your best interests to do so and what your rights and options are. If you are asked to testify, your truthful testimony could be beneficial to the state and to your personal injury case.
• Seek Medical Care. Even if you believe you were not injured following a drunk driving crash, it is always wise to follow up with your doctor. Some injuries are not immediately apparent after an accident takes place.
• Keep All Records. Keep medical records, bills, photos, and any other documentation related to the accident that you can find.
• Hire a drunk driving injury lawyer. A drunk driving accident claim can involve many moving parts and claims with insurance companies as well as negligent parties. A drunk driving injury lawyer like Amanda Hall Injury Law in Acworth and Kennesaw, Georgia may be able to help you navigate the claims process.

If you’ve been hurt in a drunk driving accident, time is of the essence. Georgia’s statute of limitations might mean that you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. Amanda Hall Injury Law are personal injury lawyers in Georgia who may be able to assist you with navigating the various aspects of a personal injury claim stemming from drunk driving.

Were You Injured by a Drunk Driver?

In Georgia, individuals can be charged with drunk driving if they are found to have a 0.08 blood alcohol concentration while driving. Drivers face increased penalties for higher blood alcohol concentration, and limits for commercial drivers and underage drivers are lower. If police suspect a driver might have been drinking, they may require the driver to submit to breath or blood tests. If a driver refuses to submit to breath or blood tests, he or she could still face the suspension of his or her license and refusal to take the test could be cited as evidence of drunk driving. Because drunk driving is a crime, victims may be entitled to seek damages from drivers, and they may also be able to seek compensation from crime victims’ funds. Amanda Hall Injury Law is a drunk driving injury law firm in Kennesaw and Acworth, Georgia who may be able to help you.