If you have been injured in an accident caused by an alcohol-impaired driver in Alpharetta, you could be entitled to compensation. A drunk driving accident lawyer with Bader Law Injury Lawyers can help you fight for justice.
Compensation from a personal injury claim or lawsuit can cover your medical expenses, help you cope with your pain and suffering, and even punish the guilty party. The drunk driving accident team at Bader Law Injury Lawyers is standing by to hear your story, evaluate your case, and explain your rights.
The Difference Between Criminal and Civil Cases in Drunk Driving Accidents
If you have been in a car accident before, you may be used to the process of determining fault and dealing with insurance companies. In car crashes, often someone was negligent, leading to the accident. In other words, a person either acted or failed to act in a way that led to the collision. The person responsible can therefore be held liable for expenses related to the accident.
A drunk driving crash is different than other road accidents because law enforcement is more involved. In a minor traffic violation where both parties involved were sober, insurance companies determine who pays for damages, and the guilty party may receive only a ticket. Yet, drunk driving accidents have stiffer legal consequences.
However, just because a drunk driver must face criminal charges and related expenses does not mean that the victims of negligence cannot also pursue compensation through a civil suit.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accidents lawyer serving Alpharetta, call (404) 888-8888
Damages You Can Receive in a Civil Case
The criminal aspect of a DUI case determines the legal punishment faced by a drunk driver, which is different from a civil case brought by the victim against someone who caused an accident.
The criminal case will essentially prove that the driver was to blame and will face legal consequences, providing you with closure. The civil case can provide you with compensation on top of that closure. This compensation can cover:
- Medical bills and expenses related to the crash: For the hospital stay, pain medication, lab work and diagnostic tests, and ongoing appointments
- Wages lost during your recovery: For the tips, hourly pay, bonuses, vacation time, and commission you couldn’t receive
- Wages you won’t acquire in the future: For your change in positions at work or if you won’t be able to go back to work again
- Damage to your vehicle: For repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering: For the pain you have had to and will have to endure
- Mental anguish: For the toll of the accident on your mental health
- Scarring and disfigurement: For the alteration in your appearance
- Loss of consortium: For the strain the accident and your injuries have put on your relationship with your spouse
- Funeral and burial expenses: For the costs involved with laying your loved one to rest if they succumbed to their accident-related injuries
Punitive Damages
On top of receiving compensation to pay for bills and losses, a court might also assign punitive damages. It is extra money in addition to the compensatory damages.
These costs are designed to punish the perpetrator. Put simply, if the criminal case provides closure and compensatory damages cover your losses, punitive damages use your case to set an example.
However, this option for compensation will depend on the circumstances of your case. A drunk driving attorney with our firm can determine the possibility of punitive damages after your accident.
Alpharetta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Pursuing Compensation for Injuries Caused By a Drunk Driver
You may be hesitant to file a personal injury lawsuit following your accident for several reasons. Perhaps you think you need to wait until the criminal aspect is resolved. Untrue. Your civil suit is separate from the criminal charges, and you do not need to wait on those results before filing your own lawsuit.
Maybe you believe your injuries are too minor to merit compensation. This statement is also false. No matter the injury, if it was caused by someone else’s negligent actions, you have the right to pursue compensation.
It is even possible that these negligent parties could be those who supplied alcohol to the drunk driver, whether it be a restaurant establishment or a private party.
When a Lawyer with Our Firm Takes Over Your Case
Whatever your reservations, you might want to consider consulting a personal injury attorney on our team. The statute of limitations on a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia is two years per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, so you do not want to delay having your questions answered.
One of our personal injury lawyers can use a number of tools and strategies to help you receive compensation following a drunk driving accident. Once you contact our law office, we will evaluate your case and:
- Compile evidence
- Interview witnesses and experts
- Prove the at-fault party’s negligence
- Communicate with the other party, their insurance company, and their legal team
- File necessary paperwork on time
- Negotiate settlements
- Fight for you in court
We will maintain communication with you every step of the way and are happy to answer any of your questions. That way, you’ll always be in the loop.
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Our Firm is Dedicated to Our Clients’ Needs
Since 2008, we have worked to get our clients the compensation they need to recover from the terrible accidents they have suffered.
Our 4.8-star rating can speak to this mission. What’s more, over 1,350 clients have left reviews about their experience with us. Two of which have been:
- “After calling several options and feeling disheartened, I finally came across Bader. Not only was the team straightforward, efficient and informative from the beginning, but I was so privileged to have Jessica’s energy make me feel at ease throughout the process. I highly recommend the Bader team….” – Liz D.
- “The Bader law firm is the best in town because they treat you like family:)” – Abby N.
We have also recovered millions of dollars in compensation. You can look at some of our case results to learn more.
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Bader Law Injury Lawyers Operates on a No-Win, No-Fee Structure
Getting help after a drunk driving accident shouldn’t add to the financial burden you’re already carrying. Luckily, the lawyers with our firm work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no costs:
- Starting up
- Hourly
- Out of pocket
Once your case is closed and you are awarded a settlement or a court verdict, your lawyer will take a portion from it for their services. Should they be unsuccessful with obtaining compensation for you, there is no need to pay them. Through this payment plan, you risk nothing.
DUI Accidents do not Always Involve Motor Vehicles
Not all drunk driving accidents involve two or more cars. Sometimes they only involve one. In fact, a car does not need to be involved at all. Operating any vehicle while under the influence constitutes drunk driving. Alcohol-impaired accidents can involve any of the following:
- Automobiles
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
- Golf carts
- Utility vehicles
- Pedestrians
Smaller vehicles and individuals are harder to see by an impaired driver, and these crashes can cause more devastating injuries than ones involving two cars. Devastating personal injuries equal more drastic changes to a victim’s life after the accident, with higher bills and greater emotional trauma.
Get Help From One of Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Alpharetta Today
If you were injured by an impaired driver in Alpharetta, you deserve justice, not only in the form of a criminal case but also in civil court, so you can receive compensation for your losses.
A drunk driving accident lawyer at Bader Law Injury Lawyers can help you in your pursuit of damages. Contact our office today for a free consultation by calling us at (404) 888-8888.
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