Macon Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Why Repeat-Offender Patterns in Macon Make DUI Crashes More Severe

People continue to drive drunk and drugged, despite the overwhelming evidence of how dangerous it is. This sad truth poses a severe threat to anyone who gets on the road with a drunk driver.

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon drunk driving accident lawyers help people and families injured in crashes pick up the pieces after an accident. We are experienced attorneys who fight aggressively in these cases to ensure that the people we represent get the maximum compensation for their injuries. We also work tirelessly to make certain that the drivers who caused these collisions are held fully accountable for their actions.

Our attorneys have seen first hand how drunk and drugged driving can tear apart families and communities. We understand acutely that repeat DUI offenders who are allowed to get back on the road often pose the most serious threats. Our lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping people in Macon and across the state who have been impacted by the recklessness of others.

If your loved one has been injured in a car accident, you are not alone. Our Macon drunk driving accident lawyers are just a phone call away. Call us today at 478-845-6464 to speak with an attorney about your rights and options.

Georgia’s Drunk Driving Laws

Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs is making a reckless decision that can have a lasting impact, both for the driver and everyone else on the road.

Georgia has strict drinking and driving laws on the books and cops and prosecutors often (though not always) enforce those laws with heavy hands. A person who is convicted of driving under the influence will have his or her drivers license suspended for at least a year, although they can often apply for reinstatement sooner.

As in other states across the country, a driver is considered impaired if he or she has a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. BAC can be measured by blood, breath or urine tests. Police officers can also charge a person with driving under the influence if the driver refuses to submit to such tests or there is other evidence showing the person is impaired to the point of being “less safe” to drive.

The state has “zero tolerance” laws on the books that lower the BAC levels for drivers who are under the age of 21 (0.02%) and certain commercial vehicle drivers (0.04%). Georgia also ramps up the penalties for repeat offenders, with longer license suspensions, higher fines and mandatory ignition interlocking devices in some cases.

Repeat Offenders and DUI Accidents

People continue to hit the road while intoxicated, despite the legal, financial and safety consequences. Even many drivers who already have been convicted of DUIs frequently make the reckless choice to drink and drive again.

Many drunk driving crashes are caused by repeat offenders. These are drivers who have already been arrested, convicted or warned about driving under the influence, at least once. Yet they continue to hit the road while loaded anyway.

As much as one-third of all DUI convictions across the country involve repeat offenders, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although Georgia’s specialized DUI court has helped cut down on repeat offenses, these drivers continue to represent serious safety hazards.

Repeat offenders’ behavior follows predictable patterns that ramp up risks long before collisions ever happen. When accidents do eventually occur, the crashes are more likely to cause serious, catastrophic and even fatal injuries.

There are a number of reasons why repeat offenders pose a more severe threat to our community than other drivers.

First, repeat offenders tend to have higher levels of intoxication because they have become accustomed to driving under the influence. Drinking and driving makes drivers less aware and alert and more likely to take risks behind the wheel. The higher the level of intoxication, the bigger the threat.

Drunk drivers are more likely to engage in:

• Speeding
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Swerving and sudden lane changes
• Driving without headlights at night
• Ignoring traffic conditions

This kind of behavior not only increases the likelihood of crashes, but also the severity of the collisions when they happen. Drunk drivers often cause high-impact collisions, as well as dangerous rollovers and crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists who have little physical protection from oncoming vehicles.

Impairment also slows reaction time, decision making and hand-eye coordination that can be crucial to staying safe on the road.

Alcohol-related car accidents often include situations in which an impaired driver was delayed in applying the brakes or did not use the brakes at all. That is because drunk drivers may not recognize danger ahead in time to react. In some cases, drivers have been determined to have “blacked out” in the moments before the crash. These accidents tend to be head-on and at higher speeds, making them more likely to cause catastrophic injuries and death.

Repeat offenders may develop a sense of confidence that can be dangerous. Those who commonly hit the road while under the influence may wrongly convince themselves that they can better handle alcohol than others. This is especially true for those who drive drunk without immediate consequences, like crashes or arrests.

The truth is that alcohol tolerance may reduce some outward signs of intoxication, but it does not cut down the level of impairment. Drunk drivers that convince themselves that they feel “fine” are still severely affected in their reaction times, perception and judgment.

Why Patterns Matter in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Anyone who has been injured in a car accident in Georgia has the right to take action against those responsible. That includes seeking compensation from negligent drivers and their insurers.

The money damages available in most car accident cases are intended to help injured people get back in the financial position that they were in before the crash happened. Compensation for doctors bills, vehicle damage, missed wages and the impact of the injuries on the person’s long-term earning capacity are all on the table. That is not to mention compensation for mental and emotional anguish, as well as punitive damages that may be awarded to punish particularly extreme or reckless conduct.

Many people who are injured in auto accidents can get this compensation from the driver and/or insurer through a negotiated settlement without going to court. In other situations, filing a lawsuit and going to trial may be necessary to get what you deserve.

Either way, you have to be able to prove that the driver is legally liable for the accident.

Georgia law generally requires drivers to operate their vehicles in a way that is reasonably safe under the circumstances. That means complying with speed limits, obeying traffic signs and following traffic laws. It also means refraining from dangerous behavior, such as getting behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol. A driver who does not live up to this responsibility is likely to be deemed negligent and found liable for any accidents that happen as a result.

In other words, a person seeking compensation in a car accident case must be able to show that the driver was negligent and that this negligence caused the crash. In drunk driving situations, that means showing that the driver was impaired and that he or she caused the collision. Police reports, especially if cops test the driver’s blood alcohol content, and witness statements can go a long way.

If the driver is a repeat DUI offender, this can also be important to establish liability and damages. It shows that the person repeatedly has chosen to drive while intoxicated, completely disregarding the safety of others. It may also implicate other parties, such as parents who give the car keys to a teenager who they know has a history of drinking and driving.

The good news is that you do not need to go it alone.

A Macon personal injury lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can help you identify those responsible for the crash, gather the evidence to build the strongest possible case and pursue the maximum money damages. That includes by taking on insurers to force them to pay out the full value of claims.

Our track record of success in car accident and other cases speaks for itself. Our lawyers have secured a number of six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients injured in auto collisions.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Helps People Injured in Car Accidents

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping people and families whose lives have been put at risk by drunk drivers. We fight diligently to protect and defend our clients rights, from the first consultation through final resolution.

Our goal is to help you move on with your life after an accident by getting the full compensation available and ensuring that negligent drivers are made accountable. Call our team at 478-845-6464 for a free, no-risk consultation.