Were you involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in Alpharetta, Georgia? If so, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and related losses. DUI accidents are different from typical car accidents in several important ways; however, this makes it important to hire an attorney who’s handled cases like these.
Our experienced legal team is adept at navigating the complexities of DUI accident claims, ensuring you receive the justice and financial recovery you deserve. We understand the added emotional and financial strain these accidents can cause and are committed to providing compassionate and aggressive representation.
Rafi Law Firm is a top-rated personal injury law firm that has recovered $200+ million for our clients. Contact our law offices today at (770) 758-4176 for a free consultation with an Alpharetta DUI accident lawyer.
How Rafi Law Firm Can Help After a DUI Accident in Alpharetta, GA
Drunk driving is a crime in Alpharetta, GA. While this could make it easier to win your car accident case, you’ll still likely need to go through an insurance company to recover compensation. Rafi Law Firm can help you throughout the claims process and beyond by taking your case to court if needed.
Our Alpharetta car accident lawyers can:
- Conduct a detailed investigation into the crash
- Establish liability using the drunk driver’s DUI conviction as evidence of negligence
- Calculate the full scope of your damages, including long-term medical needs and future lost income
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to support your claim
- Handle all of the communications and settlement negotiations on your behalf
- File a lawsuit in court and take your case to trial if necessary
Call Rafi Law Firm today to schedule your free case review. Our Alpharetta personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay any fees unless we recover money for you.
Why DUI Accident Cases Are Different From Other Car Accident Cases
In a standard car accident, you have to prove that the other driver was negligent in order to hold them liable. In a DUI accident case, Georgia law significantly simplifies that burden. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 and related statutes, driving under the influence is a criminal offense. When someone violates that law and causes a crash, their conduct is treated as negligence per se, meaning the driver’s conduct is assumed to be negligent because they violated a safety law designed to protect the public.
This gives DUI accident victims a significant legal advantage in Georgia personal injury cases. Rather than arguing over whether the other driver was being careless, our lawyers can focus on proving the extent of your injuries and the full value of your damages.
It’s also important to note that the criminal case and your civil case are two separate proceedings. You don’t have to wait for the criminal case to be resolved before pursuing your civil claim.
What Damages Can I Recover After a DUI Accident in Alpharetta?
Georgia law allows DUI accident victims to seek compensation that often goes beyond what’s available in a typical car accident case. Most accident victims are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal toll the accident has taken on your life:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
DUI accident victims, however, may also be awarded punitive damages in certain cases. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, punitive damages may be awarded when a defendant’s actions show willful misconduct, malice, fraud, or a conscious disregard for the safety of others. Because drunk driving can demonstrate reckless behavior, punitive damages are more common in DUI accident claims than in many other types of car accident cases.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partially at Fault for a DUI Accident in Georgia?
Yes. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning an injured victim can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the crash.
However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies may still try to shift blame onto you, even in DUI accident cases involving intoxicated drivers. That is one reason it can be important to work with an Alpharetta DUI accident attorney with the skills and experience to challenge unfair allegations of fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a DUI Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
It is important to understand that DUI accident claims are subject to Georgia’s statute of limitations. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation in court entirely.
Because evidence in DUI accident cases can disappear quickly, it is important to speak with an Alpharetta personal injury lawyer who can help protect your claim.
Call to Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Alpharetta DUI Accident Lawyers Today
Were you injured in a DUI accident in Alpharetta, GA? Rafi Law Firm can help you secure the compensation you need and deserve. From the ability to establish negligence per se to the potential for punitive damages, these claims offer legal advantages that our attorneys can use on your behalf.
Contact our Alpharetta DUI accident attorneys today to get started with a free consultation.
We’ve recovered over $200 million for our clients to date and can work just as hard for you and your family.
