You sat down to watch the game, without any plans to drink. After a few beers, though, you realize you cannot safely drive home. Your friends have had just as much to drink as you have. A drunk driving accident in Georgia can happen to anyone caught in this exact situation. Several resources can help you avoid becoming a statistic. Knowing what those resources are, and what to do if prevention fails, can make all the difference.
Tools That Help Prevent a Drunk Driving Accident in Georgia
Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety created a smartphone app called Drive Sober Georgia to address this problem directly. The app works on both iPhone and Android devices. It lists safe ride programs available throughout Atlanta and the rest of Georgia. Anyone without a smartphone can still access the same list at drivesobergeorgia.org.
Some safe ride programs operate free of charge. Usually, though, they only run on high-risk nights like New Year’s Eve and Super Bowl Sunday. Others, including SafeRide America, charge a small fee but operate every day of the year. The app itself is simple to use and may have already saved lives. Nearly 1,000 users downloaded it before a recent New Year’s Eve. That night ranks among the highest-risk nights of the year for drunk driving.
Remember to open the app before you get behind the wheel, not after. Texting or otherwise operating a smartphone while driving can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Plan your ride before you start the car, not after.
Speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer and get a free consultation today.
Call (980) 294-4931Why Drunk Driving Remains a Serious Problem in Georgia
Even with tools like Drive Sober Georgia available, plenty of drivers still choose to get behind the wheel while impaired. No app can force someone to make a safe decision. Consequently, drunk driving accidents continue to injure and kill innocent victims across Georgia every year. This happens despite the resources designed to prevent them.
Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination, all of which are essential to driving safely. A driver who feels only slightly impaired may still pose a serious danger to everyone else on the road. Impairment affects people differently. Because of this, there is no reliable way to know you are safe to drive just because you feel fine.
Why Evidence of Intoxication Matters So Much
Proving intoxication often becomes central to a drunk driving accident claim in Georgia. Police reports, breathalyzer results, and field sobriety test records all help establish that the other driver was impaired. Witness observations, such as slurred speech or the smell of alcohol, can also support your case.
This evidence tends to disappear quickly. Blood alcohol levels change within hours, and witness memories fade as time passes. Consequently, speaking with an attorney soon after your accident helps preserve the proof that makes your claim stronger.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Georgia
Call 911 immediately and let the dispatcher know you suspect the other driver was intoxicated. Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries take time to show symptoms. Gather the other driver’s contact and insurance information if you are able to do so safely. Collect contact information from any nearby witnesses as well.
Beyond these immediate steps, a drunk driving accident claim in Georgia involves legal considerations most victims have never faced before. Georgia allows injured victims to pursue punitive damages in many drunk driving cases, on top of standard compensation. An experienced attorney understands how to build this type of claim. Your lawyer can guide you through the process while you focus on recovering.
Why You Need an Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies fight hard against drunk driving claims, even when liability seems obvious. Adjusters often look for any reason to reduce your settlement, including questioning your own actions before the crash. As a result, victims who negotiate alone frequently accept far less than their case is actually worth.
An experienced Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer handles every part of your claim. You never have to fight this battle yourself. Your attorney gathers police reports, blood alcohol evidence, and witness statements to build a strong case. Additionally, your lawyer calculates the full value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Should the insurance company refuse a fair settlement, your attorney prepares to take your case to trial.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Victims of drunk driving accidents may recover compensation for medical expenses, both current and future. They can also pursue lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Additionally, victims can pursue compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress. Because drunk driving involves such reckless conduct, punitive damages may also apply on top of standard compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents in Georgia
Can I still recover compensation if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s own vehicle? Often, yes. Passengers injured by an intoxicated driver can generally pursue a claim, even against the driver of their own vehicle.
How long do I have to file a claim after a drunk driving accident? Georgia generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Speaking with an attorney early helps preserve evidence before it disappears.
Why Choose Shane Smith Law
Shane Smith Law focuses exclusively on personal injury cases throughout Georgia, including complex drunk driving accident claims. Our attorneys understand how to pursue full compensation, including punitive damages when the facts support them. We also work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Contact an Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
An app cannot prevent every drunk driving accident in Georgia. If you have been injured in a DUI crash, Shane Smith Law is on your side. Call our office today at (980) 246-2656 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
