Do you know that you could receive financial compensation for your damages after being injured in an accident with a drunk driver? It's true. A personal injury case can be the crucial piece in recovering damages for your medical bills, ongoing care, pain and suffering, and even missed time at work.
However, personal injury cases after a Georgia drunk driving crash can be long and complicated. Not only is it highly recommended that you hire an experienced attorney to assist you with your claim, but also that you have at least a basic understanding of how these trials work.
Your opportunity to earn financial compensation after a crash with a drunk driver is in a civil case. The amount of damages you can recover will be determined by your settlement, an agreement in between the involved parties, or a verdict by the jury.
However, the drunk driver who caused your accident could face a criminal hearing before the civil case. The crime of intoxicated driving is a very serious offense in Georgia. The public records from the criminal proceedings may reveal important details about the drunk driver who hurt you—for example, that he had prior arrests or convictions for DUI in Georgia, or that he had an extremely high blood alcohol content (BAC) when tested after the crash. These factors help to determine if he will face fines or jail time.
The criminal trial has a bearing on your civil case, as a guilty verdict gives credence to your claim that the driver was negligent in causing your injuries and pain and suffering. If the drunk driver was especially dangerous and reckless, you could be eligible to receive a punitive award on top of regular damages.
There is a certain process for criminal trials that all drunk driving accident cases follow. It is important that you understand how it works and depend on your trusted Atlanta DUI victim attorney to help interpret the rulings at every step:
Arrest - Arraignment - Motions Hearing - Opening Statements -
Witnesses & Evidence - Closing Statements - Verdict - Sentencing
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, and the person who caused the wreck is up for a criminal hearing before your civil case, call the Atlanta DUI victim lawyers of Shane Smith Law today to learn more. You can contact our offices toll-free by calling (980) 246-2656 right now. You can also fill out the form on this page and we will contact you within 24 hours.