Is causing a drunk driving accident a criminal offense in Atlanta?

Atlanta, GA – Georgia and all other states in the United States have similar criminal penalties for those who are caught driving after drinking alcohol or consuming drugs. A drunk driving accident will tend to result in more severe criminal penalties, as well as civil lawsuits against the driver from anyone who was harmed. These costs may be covered by the driver’s insurance policy, but they can also face significant increases in insurance costs or difficulties with finding companies who are willing to sell coverage to them. 

Attorneys near me can also help accident victims with their civil lawsuit against a drunk driver, even if the person is not convicted in criminal court. 

Crimes related to drunk driving and George law

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime in Georgia. The police can perform a chemical test to see if the driver had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, which is the legal limit for alcohol while driving. The presence of various drugs or controlled substances in the driver’s body can also result in a charge for driving under the influence. These arrests can be made whether there was an accident or not. However, drivers who cause an accident while they are intoxicated can face more severe penalties such as larger fines, longer license suspensions, and more time in prison, especially if a person was seriously hurt or killed in the crash.

Other consequences for those who cause an accident

Drunk drivers and other careless drivers can potentially be sued for the damage that they cause. Civil car accident lawsuits focus on the driver’s behavior, and whether they are considered negligent or at fault based on the preponderance of evidence standard. This is a lower burden of proof than beyond all reasonable doubt, which is required for a criminal conviction. The Atlanta accident lawyers job is to help the plaintiff win their case and receive compensation. 

The costs of a drunk driving accident can be very high, especially if the victims sustained serious health problems and injuries, or if anyone was killed. Civil cases filed by Atlanta DUI accident lawyers allow victims to collect money through a settlement or after a jury trial for things like medical bills, property repairs, lost income, and non-economic damages for their pain and suffering. The drunk driver can possibly be responsible for thousands or millions of dollars worth of compensation after the most serious accidents.

Advice from a local lawyer

USAttorneys.com is a website that lists accident lawyers and other legal professionals throughout the country. Anyone who needs to speak with a lawyer can use the directory to get in touch with a local firm. For additional help, USAttorneys can be contacted directly at 800-672-3103