It depends on the specifics of your case, as well as which type of case to which you are referring. There are technically two types of cases that could take place for a DUI charge: criminal and civil.
In criminal court, the timeframe depends on whether there is a guilty plea. If the drunk driver agrees with the charges and pleads guilty, then the court case usually takes a shorter amount of time. It could be over within one to two months. However, if the person does not plead guilty at the first court date, then the case could take around six months to one year, again, depending on the specifics of the case. Additionally, if you are seeking punitive damages in a criminal case, the case may take up to 18 months or more.
Generally, criminal cases are intended to punish the drunk driver with fines, jail time, and license suspension, but civil cases have different objectives. In civil cases, the victim gets to seek financial compensation for the damages and injuries suffered in the Georgia car crash. This can include property damages, as well as past and future medical expenses and lost wages. These cases can take anywhere from three months to a year, but on average are typically settled within six to nine months.
Georgia DUI victims should call Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable Georgia DUI injury attorney. You will receive answers to your questions and find out more about your rights to recovery simply by calling today.
You can also fill out our online form to request 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.