Marietta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
After a drunk driver causes harm, many victims in Marietta do not know where to turn for support. There are questions about medical care, how to cover car repairs, and balancing time off work due to injuries. Some people don’t realize that they may be able to seek compensation from the driver or potentially other parties.
An personal injury attorney with experience in drunk driving accident cases can explain your options and help you get what you need so you can recover. To learn more about how you can get justice after a Marietta drunk driving accident, contact Bridger Law Group to schedule a free consultation.
Why Work With Bridger Law Group If You’re Injured By a Drunk Driver in Marietta?
Choosing the right auto accident lawyer in Marietta after being injured is so critical, especially when you’re dealing with something as emotional as being injured by a drunk driver. When you choose Bridger Law Group, we take every step to help you recover. Here’s why we’re a great option:
- We keep you updated and answer your questions in plain language, not confusing legal talk. You’ll always know what’s happening.
- You never have to wait days for help or updates. Someone from our team is always reachable.
- Our office serves you in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, so language isn’t a barrier to getting help.
- More than 4,000 people have relied on us after injuries in Marietta and across Georgia. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured victims, helping them put their lives back together without having to worry about finances.
- For over two decades, we have served Marietta and nearby neighborhoods. We know local courts, insurance adjusters, and what it takes to fight for clients in this community.
Trying to handle an accident on your own can make things worse. It’s stressful and insurance companies often pressure people into low offers. You don’t have to accept that. With us by your side, you can focus on getting well while we fight for what you deserve. It costs nothing to talk to us about your options – call today to schedule your free consultation.
How an Attorney Helps You When a Drunk Driver Injures You in Marietta
Dealing with the aftermath of a drunk driving crash is overwhelming. When you’re in pain or unable to work, it’s hard to face the paperwork – much less argue with an insurance adjuster. A lawyer can step in and lighten that load. Here’s how they assist:
- Gather all relevant evidence to make sure they can build the strongest claim possible
- Investigate all sources of insurance available for compensation, not just the driver’s primary auto policy
- Negotiate with insurance companies for fair settlements based on your real medical costs, lost wages, and pain suffered
- Keep track of important deadlines for court filings so you don’t lose your right to a lawsuit by missing paperwork
- Represent you in court if the case isn’t resolved with an insurance settlement
Recovering after a crash takes energy. A lawyer steps in to take care of legal work so you can focus on getting better. If you lost a loved one due to a drunk driving accident in Georgia, call our Marietta wrongful death attorney to discuss your case today.
Who Could Be Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident Case?
After a drunk driving accident, the first thought might be to blame the driver. While mostly true, responsibility is often more complicated than that. The law may allow you to seek damages from other people or businesses whose actions contributed to the crash. This could include:
Bars and Restaurants (Dram Shop Laws)
Under Georgia’s dram shop laws, businesses that serve alcohol can sometimes be held responsible when someone gets into a drunk driving crash. For a victim to win against a bar or restaurant, they usually need to show the employees served alcohol to someone who was already clearly drunk or to a minor.
There also needs to be proof the business knew, or should have known, that person would soon be driving a car.
(b) A person who sells, furnishes, or serves alcoholic beverages to a person of
lawful drinking age shall not thereby become liable for injury, death, or damage
caused by or resulting from the intoxication of such person, including injury or
death to other persons; provided, however, a person who willfully, knowingly, and
unlawfully sells, furnishes, or serves alcoholic beverages to a person who is not of
lawful drinking age, knowing that such person will soon be driving a motor
vehicle, or who knowingly sells, furnishes, or serves alcoholic beverages to a
person who is in a state of noticeable intoxication, knowing that such person will
soon be driving a motor vehicle, may become liable for injury or damage caused
by or resulting from the intoxication of such minor or person when the sale,
furnishing, or serving is the proximate cause of such injury or damage
If over-serving someone directly leads to an accident and injuries, the business could be at least partially to blame.
Employers
An employer might be on the hook if the drunk driver was working at the time. If a company allows an employee to use a work vehicle while under the influence, or required attendance at events where drinking was expected, the employer could be sued, not just the individual driver. These cases may look at what the company knew and whether they had policies to protect others on the road.
Vehicle Owners
Car owners can also face lawsuits, even if they were not in the car. If they lend their car to someone they know is drunk, has a reputation for irresponsible driving, or is underage, they may be determined to be negligent and partially at fault.
The Victim Shares Fault
Sometimes, the person hurt in a drunk driving accident shares in the blame. Maybe they were speeding or just weren’t paying close enough attention to the road. If that happens, you can still recover compensation, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This is known as modified comparative negligence.
(a) Where an action is brought against one or more persons for injury to person or property and the plaintiff is to some degree responsible for the injury or damages claimed, the trier of fact, in its determination of the total amount of damages to be awarded, if any, shall determine the percentage of fault of the plaintiff and the judge shall reduce the amount of damages otherwise awarded to the plaintiff in proportion to his or her percentage of fault.
However, if you’re more than 49% at fault, you won’t be able to recover anything.
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Code section or any other provisions of law which might be construed to the contrary, the plaintiff shall not be entitled to receive any damages if the plaintiff is 50 percent or more responsible for the injury or damages claimed.
Every accident is different, and proving wrongdoing isn’t always simple. Work with a lawyer to help you figure out who is at fault and what steps to take.
Contact Bridger Law Group To Learn How You Can Seek Justice For Your Injuries
Facing your injuries does not need to be done alone, especially while recovering from a collision that should never have happened. It’s important to have someone looking out for you and building your case, which we will do at every step. Our lawyers will help you get everything you’re truly entitled to. Call us today to speak with a Marietta drunk driving accident lawyer.
