It may be surprising to learn that almost one out of every three traffic deaths in this nation involves drunk driving. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there is someone killed in a drunk driving wreck every 52 minutes, and every 90 seconds an innocent victim suffers an injury due to a drunk driver.
Alcohol affects a driver’s coordination, judgment, reflexes, vision, and overall ability to operate a motor vehicle. It’s scary to think that we could be sharing the road with dangerous drunk drivers who can cause us or our loved ones injuries or death. However, this is the harsh reality.
Georgia DUI Statistics
According to the 2010 Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Georgia is ranked number seven in the nation for drunk-driving accident fatalities. More Georgia DUI statistics include:
- 45,598 drivers who are three-time offenders
- 298 DUI fatalities
- 24% of traffic deaths are DUI-related
Roswell DUI/DWI Victims
Residents of Roswell also see their fair share of drunk driving accident injuries and fatalities. If you are a Roswell DUI accident victim or you lost your family member due to a drunk driver or a driver who was under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription medications, that driver will most likely be found negligent. However, it’s not enough for the drunk driver to be punished in criminal court. A driver who operated a vehicle under the influence and failed to use reasonable care while driving should also be punished in civil court.
DUI Victims Need to Pursue Compensation through a Civil Trial
It is very important that Roswell DUI victims not ignore the opportunity to hold negligent drivers responsible in civil court. Criminal trials will not provide victims with the compensation they need. Victims can seek compensation in civil trial for mental anguish, pain and suffering, medical expenses, physical therapy, occupational therapy, ongoing medical care, losses, lost wages, and more. A skilled personal injury lawyer will be able to inform DWI victims of their rights and help them pursue the maximum possible compensation following a criminal trial.
Because many drunk driving crashes are high-impact collisions, most DUI victims suffer catastrophic injuries and need all the compensation they can get for injuries, which can include:
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
Because insurance companies will not want to give out the financial compensation that is necessary in these types of cases, civil trial is almost always necessary for victims of DUI crashes. For help understanding the laws, your rights, and what your case may be worth, call an experienced Roswell DUI victim attorney at Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 for a free consultation today. Also, you may complete the form on this page to get a free copy of our book I Was Hit By a Drunk Driver: What Do I Do Next? The Guide for Victims of Georgia Drunk Driving Accidents.