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Were you injured in a car accident by a drunk driver in Monroe, Georgia?
If you were injured in a car accident in Monroe, Georgia because of a drunk driver, here are four things to know about drunk driving accidents in Georgia:
ONE-MANY DUIS ARE NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THE DRUNK DRIVER
In 2018, Georgia had over 3,000 DUIs where the drunk driver already had a prior DUI. When accidents occur with a drunk driver who has a prior history of driving under the influence, insurance companies hate these types of cases because they know they have the potential to lead to high jury verdicts at trial.
TWO-WHAT YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHEN YOU ARE INJURED BY A DRUNK DRIVER
First, make sure to follow the criminal prosecution of the drunk driver. If convicted, this can be valuable evidence for your case in settlement negotiations and at the civil trial.
Second, investigate whether the drunk driver has any prior DUIs. If he/she has other DUIs within the last 10 years, you may be able to use this in the trial to impeach the drunk driver’s testimony and/or bring a punitive damages claim.
Third, investigate whether the drunk driver was on the job. If he/she was on the job at the time of the accident, then you can also sue the drunk driver’s employer, which will bring more insurance money to the table.
THREE-IF THE AT-FAULT DRIVER IS UNDER 21, DIFFERENT RULES APPLY
For Drivers ages 21 and up in Georgia, a blood alcohol content level of .08 or greater is considered a DUI.
Drivers under the age of 21, however, must adhere to different rules. For drivers under the age of 21 in Georgia, a blood alcohol content level of .02 or greater is considered a DUI. If you are in an accident with someone under the age of 21 and believe the at-fault driver has been drinking, make sure to notify the responding police officer so a breathalyzer test can be performed.
FOUR-DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE APPLIES TO MARIJUANA TOO
In Georgia, driving under the influence of marijuana is called DUI-D, driving under the influence of drugs. Georgia law states that drivers are not allowed to be under the influence of any drug to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive.
If you notice the at-fault driver to smell of marijuana or have blood shot eyes that make you suspect he/she has recently smoked marijuana, notify the responding police officer. The officer may press the at-fault driver to take a test for marijuana to determine if any marijuana is in the at-fault driver’s system.
CONTACT BARTLETT BENTON
If you were injured in a car accident in Monroe, Georgia because of a drunk driver, please call Bart at 866-927-4290 for a free case evaluation.