Drunk Driving Accidents Attorney in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia

Drunk driving has long been known as one of the most negligent acts in our society, but that has not stopped people from getting behind the wheel while they are intoxicated. Each year, thousands of people across the United States are injured or killed by drunk drivers, leaving victims and their families to pick up the pieces of their lives. Though the damage can never be undone, there are legal options available for victims and families to seek justice. 

If you have been injured—or a loved one has been injured or killed—in an accident involving a drunk driver, you have the right to take legal action to seek financial compensation for the harm that has been caused. Our team is ready to learn the details of your situation, tell you about any options that may be available to you, and act as your guide and advocate throughout each step of the legal process.

If you are located in Macon-Bibb County or Houston County, Georgia, including Milledgeville, Warner Robins, Monticello, or Forsyth, reach out to us at The Law Office of George O. Haskell, IV today to schedule a consultation. 

Liability in Drunk Driving Accidents 

Though it may seem obvious that the intoxicated driver who caused the accident is the liable party, there may be other factors at play. The potentially liable parties in a drunk driving accident may include: 

• The driver: Obviously, the individual who was driving drunk bears a certain level of responsibility for the accident themselves. 

• A minor driver’s parents: Under the legal principle known as “negligent entrustment,” parents who allow their child to drive their vehicle may potentially be liable if their child becomes intoxicated and causes an accident. 

• The establishment that served alcohol to the driver: A vendor, restaurant, or bar that overserved someone with alcohol despite evidence they were drunk may be held liable under dram shop laws (see more below). 

• The driver’s employer: If the drunk driver was driving on the job, their employer may be held liable for allowing them to get behind the wheel. 

One or more parties may be at fault for the accident, which makes working with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney even more important as you pursue your claim. 

Dram Shop & Social Liability Laws in Georgia 

Under “dram shop laws,” an injured party is allowed to take legal action against places of business that allegedly contributed to a drunk driver’s condition, thereby playing a role in the accident that caused the injury. Similarly, social liability statutes allow the injured party to sue private individuals who hosted the intoxicated individual and provided them with alcohol prior to the accident. 

Potential Damages 

Every case is unique, which makes it difficult to predict or guarantee a result or a specific amount of financial compensation that may be awarded if the case is successful. It is sufficient to say, however, that courts take drunk driving accidents very seriously. The compensation awarded to the injured party in a successful claim can result in money that can be used to pay medical bills, cover lost wages, and repair property damage. 

Statute of Limitations 

Under Georgia law, an injured party has a two-year period from the date of the accident to file a claim to seek compensation. Failure to act within this two-year window will leave the victim without an opportunity to take legal action. 

Filing a Claim 

Once you and your car accident attorney have built your strategy and prepared your case, you will then be ready to move forward with filing a claim against the responsible party (or parties). This may include taking action to seek compensation from the driver, the owner of the vehicle who entrusted it to the driver, the driver’s employer (if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident), or the establishment that served the driver with alcohol. 

Wrongful Death 

If your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, filing a wrongful death claim can provide you with an opportunity to seek justice. Though a successful wrongful death claim will not take away the pain of losing someone you love, it can result in monetary compensation that can help cover funeral expenses and other financial losses, as well as hold the responsible party accountable and help prevent the same thing from happening to someone else in the future. 

Trust a Skilled Attorney 

When your life is shattered by the negligent actions of another party, you may quickly feel like you are drowning in a sea of confusion and uncertainty. Where can you go for help? How do you go about trying to hold the responsible party accountable? Can you obtain compensation to help pay your medical bills? All of these questions are common and valid. By working with an experienced drunk driving accident attorney, you can give yourself peace of mind and allow yourself to focus on recovering from the accident while your attorney takes action on your behalf.

With important things riding on the outcome of your case, you owe it to yourself to hire an attorney who will always prioritize your best interests. 

Drunk Driving Accidents Attorney Serving Macon-Bibb County, Georgia 

No one should suffer the effects of an accident with a drunk driver without having someone to stand up for their rights. If you or a loved one was harmed in a drunk driving accident, we are ready to help. Contact us at The Law Office of George O. Haskell, IV today to schedule a consultation. We proudly serve clients in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, as well as Houston County, Milledgeville, Warner Robins, Monticello, and Forsyth.