Drunk Driving Accidents

Decatur Drunk Driving Injury Attorney

Every thirty minutes, someone in this country dies in an alcohol-related crash. If you have been injured in a DUI wreck contact Drunk driving injury attorney Andrew Lynch today.

These accidents can occur at any moment, no matter how cautious you are being. If you have been injured or struck by a drunk driver in Georgia contact us today.

At Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. we cannot promise you an outcome, but if an outcome is possible we will work with you to make it a reality.

In every drunk driver suit we file, Drunk driving injury attorney Andrew Lynch’s goal is a complete recovery of the Drunk Driver’s entire insurance policy!

FAQ: Drunk Driving and Car Accidents

When you get in the car to go for a drive, you trust that the other drivers on the road are driving safely. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as there are those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol every single day. If you have been a victim of an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, you may not know what to think or where to start. Thankfully, you do not need to navigate this challenging situation alone. An experienced Decatur drunk driving injury attorney can help you navigate the legal and financial side of your accident recovery.

What is the Difference Between a DUI and a DWI?

DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence and a DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired. While different states have different definitions of the two, in most states DWI refers to the driver operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, with a BAC over the legal limit. A DUI, on the other hand, often indicates that the driver is under the influence of drugs, sometimes combined with alcohol. Even though both terms are different, it is important to understand that these classifications are equally severe and one is not generally treated more severely than the other. The most important thing to remember about working with a Decatur drunk driving injury attorney to file a personal injury suit against the drunk driver who harmed you is that by failing to obey the law and driving recklessly, the drunk driver in question almost certainly should be held responsible for certain challenges you have suffered in the wake of the accident.

What Does BAC Stand For?

Blood alcohol concentration. It is the measurement of how much alcohol is in someone’s system, and currently each state has a law stating it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. However, that is not to say that alcohol cannot affect you before your system reaches this percentage. In addition, some individuals may be legally barred from driving with an even lower BAC than the general norm. For example, if a driver is not yet 21 years of age, any alcohol in his or her system is considered an illegal amount. An experienced Decatur drunk driving injury attorney can help to explain how a driver’s BAC may impact your ability to hold that driver accountable for causing you harm.

What Do I Do If I Am a Victim of a Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver?

Always, always cooperate with the police at the scene of the accident. Make sure to get as much information about the other driver as you can from the police; their name, car make and model, their contact information and their insurance information. If you are unable to get this information at the scene, a Decatur drunk driving injury attorney can help you gain access.

What Kind of Compensation May I Be Eligible For?

Victims of drunk driving accidents are generally entitled to damages related pain and suffering, loss wages, medical bills, disability, and even punitive damages against the drivers who harmed them. Each case is different and each victim is generally eligible for damages in varying amounts, based upon the level of harm they have suffered as a result of their drunk driving collision injuries. Please contact Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. today to explore your legal options and the kinds of compensation you may be entitled to as you recover from your accident.

Generally, when someone is injured by a drunk driver their claim against the drunk driver is valuable. The simple explanation for this is, in any wreck, you are entitled to recover for your pain and suffering, and lost wages but in a drunk driving injury case you are entitled to punitive damages, these are damages that are meant to punish the drunk driver for their reckless behavior.

You need a drunk driving injury attorney who will focus on protecting your rights and maximizing the value of your case while you focus on healing. At Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. our job is to look out for your interests and fight to get you full monetary value for your injuries.

The drunk driver who caused your accident and your injuries should obviously be held responsible.

What many people do not realize is the establishment or individual serving the alcohol may be liable for your damages. If a bar, restaurant, or even the host of a party served alcohol to an intoxicated person, who then drove and caused your accident, they can be accountable to help pay for your damages. These types of suits are called dram shop suits. Essentially, if the restaurant should have known someone was too drunk to drive then the restaurant should have stopped serving the person who hurt you alcohol. If they did not stop serving them they are just as liable under the law for your injuries as the drunk driver who wrecked into you!

Even though liability is usually clear in an accident involving alcohol, the drunk driver’s insurance carrier often disputes liability. Because of this, in certain cases, we hire engineering experts who recreate the auto accident using technology to demonstrate how the accident or collision actually occurred.

Even in cases that are not complicated, the insurance carrier will often refuse to negotiate reasonably with you, believing that they can force you to settle for less than your case is worth.

At Andrew R. Lynch, P.C., we believe your case should be prepared to for trial. We have found that putting this hard work into your case puts us in a position to get you the best outcome possible.

Please contact the Decatur office of drunk driving injury attorney Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. today for a free consultation.

Compensation For Victims of Drunk Driving

A trusted Decatur, GA drunk driving injury attorney from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. knows that victims of drunk driving accidents often experience physical, emotional, and financial hardships as a result of the irresponsible actions of intoxicated drivers. To help them recover and rebuild their lives, various types of compensation are available to address the damages incurred. These compensatory measures aim to provide a sense of justice and support for victims as they navigate the aftermath of such traumatic events.

1. Medical Expenses: Victims of drunk driving accidents frequently face significant medical bills due to the injuries sustained. Compensation can cover hospitalization costs, surgeries, medications, doctor visits, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care required for a full recovery.
2. Property Damage: If the victim’s vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident, compensation can cover repair or replacement costs. This also extends to personal belongings that were damaged during the collision.
3. Lost Wages and Income: Injuries from a drunk driving accident can lead to missed work and a loss of income. Compensation can include reimbursement for the wages lost during recovery as well as any diminished future earning capacity if the injuries result in long-term or permanent disability.
4. Pain and Suffering: Victims often endure physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma in the wake of a drunk driving accident. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to address the intangible and often long-lasting effects of the accident on the victim’s quality of life.
5. Emotional Distress and Mental Health Treatment: The emotional impact of a drunk driving accident can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues, as your Decatur drunk driving injury attorney knows. Compensation can cover the costs of therapy, counseling, and other necessary mental health treatments.
6. Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the accident results in a reduced ability to enjoy life’s activities and experiences due to injuries, victims may be eligible for compensation to account for this diminished quality of life.
7. Loss of Consortium: This type of compensation is awarded to a victim’s family members who have suffered the loss of companionship, affection, and emotional support as a result of the victim’s injuries or death.
8. Wrongful Death Damages: In cases where the drunk driving accident leads to a victim’s death, surviving family members may be eligible for compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
9. Punitive Damages: In some cases, courts may award punitive damages to victims of drunk driving accidents. These damages are intended to punish the intoxicated driver for their reckless behavior and serve as a deterrent to others. They go beyond compensating for the victim’s losses and aim to prevent similar actions in the future.

Navigating the legal process to obtain compensation for drunk driving victims can be complex, requiring expertise in personal injury law. Ultimately, compensation can play a crucial role in providing victims with the necessary resources to heal, rebuild their lives, and move forward after the devastating effects of a drunk driving accident. Contact your trusted Decatur drunk driving injury attorney from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. to see what can be done for your case today.