According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) the number of three and five time DUI offenders in Georgia in 2012 numbered 45,598 and 5,782 respectively. 23 percent of all drunk driving fatalities were from DUI related car accidents. The number of underage persons (12 to 20 years old) reporting alcohol use in the last 30 days numbered 292,000 or 23.6 percent of all respondents. Binge drinking statistics in the same 30 day period was 178,800 people or 14.4 percent.
If you or a loved one are a DUI victim in Gwinnett County, or elsewhere in Georgia, a DUI accident attorney at Shane Smith Law can help you obtain justice for your DUI related injuries.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is presently lobbying the State of Georgia to mandate all motor vehicle operators have ignition interlocks installed on cars of people convicted of DUI violations. Operators who are accused of drunk driving fatalities are prosecuted under Georgia vehicular homicide statutes. Family members of a deceased victim of a DUI in Gwinnett County are best served to speak with a wrongful death attorney from Shane Smith Law. There are many other criminal statutes to ensure Georgia roads are as safe as possible and include:
- Random sobriety checkpoints that enable local, County and State law enforcement officials to determine the sobriety of drivers in Sugar Hill, Gwinnett County and elsewhere in the State.
- All people convicted of DUI charges must complete alcohol assessment and treatment programs.
- While an initial DUI conviction is only a misdemeanor, multiple DUI convictions may result in a felony conviction.
- People convicted of DUI in Georgia will face fines and a temporary license revocation.
DUI victims can seek justice through a DUI accident attorney. Damages one can seek related to DUI car accidents include:
- Medical bills (past and future treatment)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
For individuals who experience the loss of a loved one, it is necessary to speak with a wrongful death attorney to evaluate a claim. Drunk driving fatalities are serious matters and require the expertise of a wrongful death attorney. In addition to damages available to a DUI victim, there are additional damages one can pursue with a wrongful death claim:
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Survivors’ pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (to punish responsible parties for malice and willful criminal knowledge)
If you or a loved one has experienced any type of loss as a DUI victim contact a DUI accident attorney at Shane Smith Law to protect your rights and obtain the justice you deserve. For more information on protecting yourself from drunk driving fatalities you can find our publication Impaired Driving Prevention & Information on our Resources page.