Drivers who operate motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, and medication pose a danger to the safety of others on the road. Georgia law provides for criminal penalties for drivers who drive while impaired, but those penalties do nothing to directly help the person injured by the impaired drivers.
Under Georgia civil law, juries may be told about any and all times when an impaired driver drove while impaired. Further, impaired drivers make a conscious decision to drive even though impaired, and accordingly, punitive damages should be levied against impaired drivers.
Punitive damages are a sum of money that is required to pay in order to punish and deter the driver and deter the community as a whole from driving while impaired. A jury will decide how much money is appropriate.
If you’ve been involved in an accident involving an impaired driver, contact an Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer today at 404-948-3311.