Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in drunk driving accidents. These accidents not only have devastating effects on the victims and their families but also on the community as a whole. In this article, an experienced Peachtree City car accident lawyer will detail some of the most common injuries that occur in these accidents and explain how to proceed in order to recover damages.
You must remember that insurance companies do not care about you and your suffering. They only care about their profits. Thus, even if you are within your rights to seek compensation, an insurance adjuster will do their best to deny your claim if they see that you are acting on your own.
Thus, anyone injured in drunk driving accidents should speak to an Peachtree City car accident lawyer before the insurance adjuster has a chance to get you to make a statement.
DUI Laws in Georgia Impose Severe Penalties on Drunk Drivers
In Georgia, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. If you are caught driving with a BAC that is .08% or higher, you can be charged with DUI. The penalties for DUI in Georgia are severe and can include jail time, fines, and the suspension of your driver’s license.
If you are convicted of DUI in Georgia, you will face the following penalties:
First Offense:
- Jail time of up to one year
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to one year
Second Offense:
- Jail time of up to two years
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to two years
Third Offense:
- A fine of up to $5,000
- License suspension for up to five years
- 30-day community service
- The driver is declared habitual violator.
Why Do Drunk Driving Accidents Cause Severe Injuries?
It is estimated that alcohol-related crashes injure or kill more than 300,000 people in the United States each year. Drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries because of the high speeds at which vehicles are travelling and the lack of safety measures taken by drivers.
Most drunk driving accidents involve head-on collisions, which can cause serious brain and spinal cord injuries. In addition, many drunk drivers do not wear seat belts, which can lead to ejection from the vehicle during a crash. Victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer from broken bones, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening injuries.
An Peachtree City car accident lawyer deals with such accident cases on a daily basis, most of them involving the following types of injuries:
Limb Amputation
Limb amputation is one of the most common injuries suffered in drunk driving accidents. This is because drunk drivers often lose control of their vehicles, resulting in severe crashes. Drunk drivers are also more likely to be involved in hit-and-run accidents. As a result, victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer devastating injuries, including limb amputations.
Limb amputations can occur when a victim is pinned beneath a vehicle or when a vehicle rolls over. In some cases, limbs may be severed completely from the body. In other cases, victims may suffer partial amputations. Either way, limb amputations can lead to permanent disability and require extensive medical treatment.
An experienced Peachtree City car accident lawyer will make sure that you obtain the maximum settlement amount for your damages, for your present and ongoing medical care costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and pain and suffering.
Bone Fractures
As anyone who has ever broken a bone can attest, fractures are extremely painful. They can also be very debilitating, depending on where the break is and how severe it is. In some cases, the bone doesn’t heal perfectly, leaving the injured person with reduced mobility and other health problems.
There are different types of fractures, but they all essentially involve a break in the bone. The most common type of fracture is a linear fracture, which is a clean break along the bone. A comminuted fracture is a break that results in multiple pieces, while an open or compound fracture involves the bone protruding through the skin.
Fractures can occur anywhere in the body, but some bones are more susceptible than others. The most commonly broken bones in drunk driving accidents are the collarbone, arm, leg, and ankle.
If you’re involved in a drunk driving accident and sustain any kind of injury, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Even if you don’t think you’ve fractured anything, it’s always best to get checked out by a doctor just to be sure.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is one of the invisible injuries resulting from drunk driving accidents. When a person is involved in a high-impact car accident, their internal organs can be bruised or lacerated from the force of the collision. This can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.
The symptoms of internal bleeding depend on where the bleed is located. For example, a bleed in the chest may cause difficulty breathing, while a bleed in the abdomen may cause abdominal pain or vomiting blood.
Thus, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Internal bleeds can often be difficult to diagnose without medical imaging, so you must get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
Internal Organ Damage
Drunk driving accidents often result in internal organ damage due to the force of the collision. Common injuries include broken ribs, lacerated spleens, and punctured lungs. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require surgery to repair. In some cases, internal organ damage can lead to death.
Back and Spine Injuries
Injuries to the back and spine can be extremely painful and may require extensive medical treatment. In some cases, they can even lead to paralysis. Thus, immediate medical attention is critical. Otherwise, the injuries may result in lifelong disability, or even death.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head and brain injuries are some of the most common injuries seen in drunk driving accidents. These injuries can range from mild concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Head and brain injuries can have long-lasting effects on your health and well-being. You may have to depend on nursing care or expensive assistive devices. An experienced Peachtree City car accident lawyer will evaluate your case and calculate all the eligible economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered.
Talk to an Experienced Peachtree City Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been injured in a drunk driving accident, it is important to speak with an experienced Peachtree City car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Drunk driving accidents can often result in serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.
You will accumulate huge medical care bills, and there is no guarantee that you will make a full recovery and return to work. A dedicated and compassionate lawyer at The Wade Law Office will make sure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call us to schedule a free case review as soon as possible after the drunk driving accident: 770-282-1188!
