Hit by a drunk or intoxicated driver and need a personal injury lawyer in College Park, Georgia?

Drunk or intoxicated driving is a dangerous and serious crime. The Millar Law Firm aggressively goes after intoxicated drivers and the insurance companies who represent them. Located in Fulton and Clayton Counties, our attorneys have a proven track record in College Park, Riverdale, Union City, Hapeville and other surrounding areas of helping victims of impaired driving accidents recover millions of dollars in compensation and Justice.

If you have been hurt by a drunk driver or you have lost a family member to a DUI or drug related accident caused by an intoxicated driver, call our Law Offices today at 770-400-0000 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

Key Points:

• Our College Park injury attorneys will immediately investigate your case at no charge – until we recover money for you or your family.
• We work to prove that the at-fault driver was under the influence by gathering solid evidence of blood alcohol content, the driving and criminal history of the DUI driver, and the full and complete medical and law enforcement investigations.
• If hurt by a drunk or drugged driver, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and trauma, permanent injury, disfigurement, and to recover you medical bills and lost pay.

Drunk driving accidents are a criminal act. Don’t let the driver or their the insurance company deny or minimize your injury claim.

Table of Contents

How The Millar Law Firm Can Help You and Your Family After a DUI Accident

When you are injured in a DUI accident, even though the at-fault driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you recover the full amount of compensation you deserve. The services we provide include:

• Free consultation and case evaluation. We never charge for consultation or evaluation of DUI injury cases.
• Investigation of the accident and recovering evidence to prove that the other driver was at fault. This evidence can include police reports, camera recordings, BAC content of the intoxicated driver, criminal history of the at-fault driver, witness statements, and medical records.
• Negotiate with the insurance company. Our Attorneys negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to try to get them to pay the full amount of your claim. If the insurance company refuses to pay, a lawsuit on your behalf can be brought.
• Represent you in court. If necessary, we will take your case to trial to help you recover the full Justice and compensation you deserve.

What Damages and Compensation are Available?

After a College Park DUI or Intoxicated Driving Injury Claim or Case, you may receive and recover your general damages for pain and suffering, trauma and lost enjoyment of life; your financial or economic damages for medical expenses and lost income; and drivers, passengers and pedestrians injured by drunk or inebriated drivers may also recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are an additional monetary award given to punish or deter the at-fault driver from continuing to drink and drive in the future.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire or Retain The Millar Law Firm for my Injury Case?

We do not charge an up-front retainer or investigation fee. You do not pay our law firm to handle your case until and unless we receive financial compensation for you. Additionally, we will consult with you and investigate whether you have a case we can accept at no charge.

What if the Intoxicated Driver was Working for An Employer or Company When He or She Caused the Accident?

It sometimes happens that the at-fault driver was driving for work or was driving a vehicle owned by his/her employer. In some circumstances, your lawyer may be able to hold the employer liable for some or all of the damages. This can sometimes also be true if the at-fault driver was working for the city or other governmental entity at the time of the accident.

What injuries caused by DUI accidents does The Millar Law Firm handle?

In driving under the influence cases, our office commonly sees and represents persons with injuries ranging from Brain Injuries and concussions (also known as TBI, or traumatic brain injury), to Neck and Back Injuries, Broken Bones, Injuries to Internal Organs, and Cervical and Thoracic Spinal injuries.

Does The Millar Law Firm Handle Wrongful Death cases caused by Intoxicated Drivers?

Yes, we have a long history of representing the surviving families and loved ones of the victims of DUI driving. Because representing the victims of intoxicated drivers is a core part of our personal injury practice, since 1993 we have represented dozens of families and estates of persons tragically killed by drunk and drugged drivers. We would be honored to have you and your family trust us through this difficult time.

How A DUI Accident is Different than the Usual Car Accident in College Park

A DUI accident is a car accident that is caused by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol and drugs in the system impair a driver’s ability to act quickly. Studies show that drunk drivers exercise worse judgment and decision making than other drivers and have slower reflexes causing complications in an accident situation meaning that they:

• May not be able to brake in time
• May not be able to react quickly to a situation
• May not be able to steer their vehicles out of the way of danger if encounter a hazardous situation.
• Endanger the lives of others on the road, or even nearby such as pedestrians on sidewalks or in their yards or city parks.

Can Parties Other than the Intoxicated or DUI Driver Share Some of the Blame?

In some cases, yes. The State of Georgia has a set of laws known as the Dram Shop Act. Under these laws if a business establishment or a social host sells or serves alcohol to a noticeably intoxicated person, knowing that they are likely to be driving soon, that restaurant, club, tavern, liquor or convenience store – or even a social host – may be liable in damages if the driver then causes a drunk driving accident.

How Our Legal Team Proves That Drivers Were Drunk at the Time of an Accident

A key element in pursuing a DUI accident case is being able to prove that the at-fault driver was drunk or impaired when the accident happened.

In Georgia, a driver is generally asked by law enforcement to submit to a blood-alcohol test if there is reason to believe he or she is impaired. If the test results reveal a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, the driver is drunk. These results are one way to prove impairment in court if necessary.

Should the driver refuse to take the BAC test, that refusal may also be used as strong circumstantial evidence of impairment.

The police report, camera recordings and testimony of the investigating officers are also important evidence. The report documents the circumstances, and lists the names of eye-witnesses who may testify to erratic driving behavior – such as swerving, failure to stay in the appropriate lane, or speeding. Body and patrol car cameras are helpful in demonstrating that a driver was unsteady on his or her feet or had slurred speech while talking to the investigating officers. Police officers, state troopers and deputies can also be called as witnesses to appear in depositions or at trial to testify as to the impaired condition of the at-fault driver.

How Personal Injury DUI Lawsuits Can Help Reduce the Problem of Drunk Driving in College Park and across Georgia

According to statistics from Fulton and Clayton Counties and the Georgia Department of Public Safety, there were 1,003 DUI arrests in College Park, Georgia in 2021. This represents a rate of 73.4 DUI arrests per 10,000 residents. The national average for DUI arrests is 62.2 arrests per 10,000 residents.

The DUI and accident with injury rate in College Park has been increasing in recent years. In 2019, there were 885 DUI arrests in the city, and in 2018, there were 827 arrests. This increase is concerning, as it indicates that the problem of drunk driving is getting worse in College Park.

Drunk driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities, with over 40 deaths caused by alcohol or drug related crashes, showing that everyone on the road is at risk. There are a number of things that can be done to address this problem, including

• Increasing public transportation options
• Educating people about the dangers of drunk driving
• Enforcing DUI laws more strictly.
• Personal injury DUI lawsuits to help reduce the problem of DUI in College Park

Personal injury DUI lawsuits help to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. When people see that drunk drivers are being held accountable for their actions, it may discourage them from driving drunk.

Common Questions (FAQ) about DUI Accident Cases in College Park, GA

Who can be held liable for a DUI accident in College Park, Georgia?

The driver who is at-fault is generally held liable for the damages resulting from an accident. If the driver is also found to be under the influence and  impaired by drugs or alcohol, will enable your lawyer to ask for higher compensation.

It is also possible that others may be held responsible. For example, if the other driver was over-served alcohol at a bar or restaurant, that establishment may also be held liable.

What should you do if you suspect the driver who hit you is drunk or high on drugs?

As with any accident, if you are able to do so, get to a safe location, turn on your emergency hazard lights, check for any injuries you or your passengers or any other involved drivers have, and call the police. Have law enforcement come to the scene and document the accident. Tell the investigating officer of your suspicions. Report any suspicious behavior like the other driver throwing debris or bottles out of his or her car. Take pictures and record the condition of the vehicles and any other evidence that you observe.

We also recommend seeking medical attention right away if you were hurt and notifying your insurance company. Under most policies you must report any accident you are involved in, even if not your fault, or you risk losing your coverage.

What factors determine liability in a DUI accident?

Factors that are considered in the determination of liability in a DUI accident can vary. Each accident is different and the facts of the claim will determine what factors come into play. Some common ones are listed here:

• BAC – blood alcohol test results
• The at-fault driver’s behavior leading up to and after the accident.
• Weather and road conditions at the time of the accident.
• The presence of any other contributing factors, such as distracted driving or road rage

What are the legal rights of the victim of a DUI accident?

The victim of a DUI accident may have a number of legal rights, including the right to:

• Seek medical treatment for any injuries sustained in the accident
• File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver
• Recover damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses

What other legal options are available to the victim of a DUI accident?

In addition to seeking compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company, the State of Georgia also has a program that provides financial assistance to victims of DUI accidents. The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program, offers compensation for various expenses and losses incurred by victims of violent crimes, including DUI accidents.

How much compensation can I expect to receive if I am injured in a DUI accident?

Your total compensation as the victim of a DUI accident varies. Since each accident is different and the consequences and costs vary, so will the compensation. This means your own circumstances will dictate the total settlement.

Factors influencing the final compensation include the severity of the damages, medical costs, whether or not there will need to be long-term medical care or other costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, as well as lost wages and income changes resulting from the accident.

Hiring an attorney is not always necessary, but it can be a good idea, particularly if the cost of your injuries exceeds the insurance company’s policy limits. An attorney can help you identify and draw upon the at-fault drivers other assets that might be leveraged to help you win the compensation you deserve.

Here are some additional tips to help you if you have been injured in a DUI accident:

Get yourself and your car to a safe location. If you are able to move your car, drive to a position of safety on the edge of the shoulder or ouff the road to help guard against being hit by another vehicle. Turn on your hazards or blinker lights for safety and enhanced visibility even if you are able to move your car. If you cannot move your car or truck, turn on the safety flashers and get yourself and any passengers to a safe location.

Get medical attention immediately. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to see a doctor right away. This will help to document your injuries and make sure that they are treated properly. Advise any responding police officers of any injuries and keep in mind its better to tell the officers that you are not sure if you are injured, if and when that is the truth. Many people who are are actually feeling injured or disoriented at scene of an accident make the mistake of telling first responders they are “ok” when they are actually hurt or injured.

Call the police and get a copy of the police report. The police will document the accident and the report will contain the details of the accident, including the names of the drivers, the vehicles involved, and the injuries sustained. Do not let the at-fault driver talk you out of making a police report. Doing so will make your insurance claim more difficult in the future.

Get the other driver’s contact information and get witness statements. Obtain the other driver’s name, address (take a photo of their drivers license, if they will allow you to), take a photo of all vehicles involved and photos of the license plates. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information so that you can get their statements later. Take photos of the scene of the accident.

Contact an attorney. If the cost of your injuries exceeds the insurance company’s policy limits, you should contact an attorney to discuss your legal options before you consider settling the claim.

Our Law Firm Aggressively Goes After Insurance Companies Who Represent Drunk Drivers

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk-driving accident, we encourage you to contact our law firm for a free consultation. We will fight to get you the maximum compensation possible for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, and we are here to help.

Will my drunk driving accident case settle or go to trial?

When our DUI injury case attorneys first accept your case, there is often no way to know immediately if the case will settle or need to go to trial. We will immediately begin to investigate and advise you as soon as possible. Settlements generally happen if and when their parties are able to reach an agreement between the injured party or the family and the at-fault driver and any other at-fault defendants, such as their employer. Many times cases will settle due to the risk of a Jury making an even larger award against a drunk driver. In some cases, however, the only way to maximize the value of your case may be to file an injury lawsuit. We will discuss your options either way, and make the best decision together.

Our Law Firm Never Defends Drunk Drivers!

Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to helping College Park victims of driving accidents caused by impairment by drugs or alcohol. We know the law and we know how to fight insurance companies. We will not give up until you get the justice you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.