According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one million drivers were arrested for drinking and driving in 2016. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further shows that drunk driving accidents claimed over 10,500 lives in 2018. All told, these accidents and deaths cost society over $40 billion every year.
The damages and losses that victims can accrue from drunk driving accidents go far beyond monetary losses, however. The loss of a child, spouse, or parent can leave families without the support and company they would have otherwise had. Other losses and injuries can last a lifetime as well. The South Fulton drunk driving accident lawyer with Bader Scott Injury Lawyers may be able to assist you with a drunk driving case. Please call (404) 888 – 8888 today to learn more.
The Effects of Alcohol on Driving
Alcohol can worsen a driver’s response times, lower his or her inhibitions, and encourage dangerous or reckless driving. The official legal blood alcohol content limit (BAC) is 0.08 in most states, but states like Georgia have a zero-tolerance level of .02.
The degree of a driver’s alcohol impairment depends on the driver’s tolerance to alcohol, his or her BAC, and other factors such as age, driving experience, weather conditions, traffic conditions, and lighting. Here are a few BAC levels and how they may affect driving:
- A BAC of 0.02 can lead to some loss of judgment, impaired visual function, and reduced capacity to multitask.
- A BAC of .05 can lead to some loss of muscle control, impaired alertness, lower inhibition, impaired coordination, difficulty steering, and longer response times.
- A BAC of 0.08 can lead to poor muscle coordination, slurred speech, blurred vision, longer reaction times, limited judgment and self-control, and limited information processing.
- At a BAC of .10, the driver suffers an unmistakable deterioration in his or her reaction times and vehicle control, as well as an inability to brake properly and maintain his or her lane.
The effects of alcohol as outlined above make it clear why drinking and driving is so dangerous. There is no excuse for drinking and driving, and drunk driving accidents are a serious public health concern. Even though an estimated one million drunk driving arrests occur any given year, the self-reported incidence rate of drinking and driving is much, much higher. About 112 million drivers reported drinking and driving in a 2010 survey, as per the CDC’s Vital Signs newsletter.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accidents lawyer serving South Fulton, call (404) 888-8888
Drunk Driving Accidents
Driving while under the influence of alcohol—even if a driver’s BAC does not surpass the limits outlined above—is a dangerous crime. Depending on the damages, losses, or injuries that a drunk driving accident causes, an at-fault driver may be guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony.
In some cases, manslaughter or vehicular homicide charges may be brought against someone who was criminally negligent while operating a vehicle under the influence and killed someone as a result. Drunk driving accidents can lead to all of the following:
- Pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents
- Head-on, rear-end, sideswipe, intersection, and parking lot accidents
- Truck and construction zone accidents
- 18-wheeler or semi-truck jackknifing and rollover accidents
- Dangerous lane change and merging accidents
- Running red lights, stop signs, or level crossings
- Wrong-turn and wrong-direction accidents
These accidents can lead to serious injuries and financial damages, including:
- Wrongful death.
- Brain, spinal cord, and head trauma.
- Neck, back, and nerve damage.
- Muscle and soft tissue damage.
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding.
- Broken bones, fractures, sprains, and strains.
- Vehicle damage.
- Lost time from work.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Burial and funeral expenses.
- Medical treatment costs.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs.
- Mental or emotional pain and suffering.
You should not have to bear the mental, physical, or financial fallout of an accident if it was caused by the recklessness or gross negligence of another party that should have known better than to drive under the influence of alcohol.
A South Fulton drunk driving accident lawyer can help you estimate the value of your losses and identify the injuries and outlays that you may have grounds to file a compensation claim for. Contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today at (404) 888 – 8888.
South Fulton Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Liable Parties
The person or party you can potentially sue for a drunk driving accident depends on how the accident occurred, and who was involved. In most cases, the liable party or parties will be one or more of the following:
- The impaired driver
- Someone who served or sold alcoholic beverages to the driver
- Another driver who was also driving negligently
- A parent of an underage driver
- A truck driving company that hired drivers who were unqualified, or had alcohol-related citations or license suspensions in the past
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Seeking Legal Assistance
If you suffered losses or damages of any type in a drunk driving accident, the South Fulton drunk driving accident lawyer on the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team may be able to help. Based on the specifics of your case, we may be able to help you:
- Identify the at-fault parties responsible for your accident.
- Identify compensable damages and losses.
- Determine a fair settlement amount.
- Put together and file a personal injury claim.
- Understand the insurance and road laws that apply to your case.
- Ensure that you meet all evidentiary requirements and filing deadlines.
Statutes of limitations apply to car accident cases, including drunk driving accident cases, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us today. Care and treatment bills can quickly pile up, as can your losses from missing work while your case is being assessed. Our offices can be reached at (404) 888 – 8888, so call today.
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