Savannah Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Savannah Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Every year, driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is a top-reported cause of serious accidents throughout Georgia. Savannah drunk driving car accident attorneys can help injured victims ensure accountability and secure compensation for their damages after such incidents.

If you or a loved one is recovering from a recent DUI accident, a Savannah drunk driving accident attorney is the ideal resource to consult.

For an Immediate Consultation call us at 912-341-6644

Legal Representation for Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Savannah, GA

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is an experienced team of attorneys with years of successful cases behind us, thanks to our commitment to client-focused legal counsel in every case we accept. We know that no two personal injuries in Savannah, GA, are exactly alike and that every plaintiff will face unique challenges as they seek compensation for their damages. The aftermath of a drunk driving accident can be especially difficult to resolve if you do not have appropriate representation.

Our team can carefully review the details of your recent accident in Savannah and help develop a comprehensive legal strategy for obtaining maximum compensation for your damages. The at-fault driver will face criminal prosecution from the state for breaking the DUI laws, but this criminal case focuses on punishing the defendant rather than compensating the victim. You will need to pursue a civil claim to recover compensation for your losses.

Recovering From an Accident With Auto Insurance

Georgia enforces the fault rule for resolving vehicle accident cases. This means that every driver is required to have auto insurance that includes liability coverage for bodily injuries and property damage they cause in an accident.

Whenever an accident happens, the at-fault driver’s insurance can pay for a victim’s damages, and this same rule applies to drunk driving accidents. However, insurance alone may not fully cover your losses, and you could encounter problems with your claim.

Insurance companies tend to do everything they can to avoid paying out maximum settlements to claimants, sometimes even engaging in bad faith tactics to preserve their profitability. However, an insurance company representative is far less likely to attempt any such tactics when they see that a claimant has legal representation. When you have a Savannah drunk driving accident attorney representing you, they can ensure you receive a fair settlement offer.

Building Your Personal Injury Case Against a Drunk Driver

Even if you encounter no problems with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier, their insurance policy may not fully cover your total damages. If this applies to your case, or if the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance at all, you will need to file a personal injury case against the at-fault driver to recover your losses. Savannah drunk driving accident attorneys help their clients gather the evidence they need to succeed with these cases.

Your civil claim against the at-fault driver will likely unfold alongside the criminal case filed by the state, and it is possible for these cases to overlap in some ways. For example, the police report and arrest record for the defendant are likely to be crucial pieces of evidence for your civil claim, and you could be called to testify in criminal court as a witness against the defendant. Their criminal sentence could also include restitution that enhances your total recovery.

A civil suit against the drunk driver enables you to recover compensation for any damages not covered by insurance, and you may be entitled to claim much more than you might initially expect. An experienced Savannah drunk driving accident attorney can help their client seek compensation for:

• Medical treatment costs: The defendant who injured you will be responsible for all medical expenses you incur from the accident. They are liable for all immediate and future medical care you require to reach maximum improvement from your injuries.
• Lost wages: If you cannot work while you recover from your accident, the defendant is responsible for the income you cannot earn during this period.
• Lost future earning capacity: When a drunk driving accident has caused a permanent disability that diminishes your ability to work and earn income, the defendant is liable for the future wages you are no longer able to earn.
• Property damage: Your auto insurance claim may result in compensation for some vehicle repair costs, but any property losses not covered by insurance can be cited as economic damages in your personal injury suit.
• Pain and suffering: Georgia’s personal injury statutes enable you to claim compensation for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the defendant’s actions. There is no limit to pain and suffering compensation in drunk driving accident cases, and the amount the plaintiff receives generally depends on the overall severity of their injuries.

The right attorney on your side dramatically increases your chances of maximizing your final case award after any type of vehicle accident. When you consider that you may receive punitive damages and/or restitution alongside your claimed losses to reflect the illegal nature of the defendant’s behavior, it is possible to recover much more compensation than you might initially expect with the right legal counsel representing you.

Remember that if you are found partially liable for your recent accident, it will diminish your recovery, even if the defendant is more at fault. The state’s comparative fault rule applies to any case in which multiple parties share fault for the damages, and as long as a plaintiff is less than 50% at fault, they can still seek compensation from the defendant in their case.

What to Expect From Your Savannah Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Merritt & Merritt can provide comprehensive and compassionate legal support through all stages of your recovery efforts following a drunk driving accident in Savannah. Throughout the years of our firm’s operation, we have helped many past clients maximize their recoveries through auto insurance claims and subsequent personal injury cases. We also know how criminal misconduct can influence a victim’s overall recovery.

You have a limited time to file any kind of personal injury case, and the sooner you file your case, the more likely you are to win.

Contact Merritt & Merritt today to schedule your free consultation with a team of Savannah drunk driving accident attorneys you can trust with your recovery.