Statesboro Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Statesboro Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

If you or someone you care about was harmed in an alcohol-related crash in Statesboro, you do not need to face the aftermath alone. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we offer dedicated and compassionate legal support for individuals who have suffered injuries caused by impaired drivers. Our Statesboro drunk driving accident lawyer team understands what victims go through, and we are here to provide guidance and representation during what is likely one of the most difficult times of your life.

You deserve to know your rights. You also deserve to have your voice heard. Let a Statesboro drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm help you take that next step toward justice. To speak with someone today, call 912-764-3434 for a free consultation.

How Alcohol-Related Crashes Affect Civil Compensation

When someone gets behind the wheel after drinking, the damage they cause can ripple outward in devastating ways. These crashes can lead to a mix of legal challenges for victims. On one hand, law enforcement may take criminal action against the drunk driver. On the other hand, victims are left to handle hospital visits, bills, insurance calls, and missing work—all while trying to heal physically and emotionally.

That is where civil compensation becomes essential. While criminal courts seek to punish offenders, civil claims focus on helping victims recover. A personal injury claim can help cover costs related to medical care, lost wages, emotional distress, property damage, and other expenses. However, proving that the drunk driver is financially liable is not always straightforward. That is why having a knowledgeable Statesboro drunk driving accident lawyer is so important.

Georgia DUI Laws and Your Injury Claim

In Georgia, any driver with a blood alcohol content at or above 0.08 percent can be charged with driving under the influence. For drivers under 21, the legal limit drops to 0.02 percent. Commercial drivers face even stricter limits. These laws exist for good reason. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and increases the chance of a serious crash.

But while criminal consequences are handled by the state, the person injured must take civil legal action to pursue compensation. Even if the driver is convicted, that does not automatically mean the injured party receives financial recovery. This makes it crucial to have someone on your side who understands both Georgia DUI laws and the personal injury claims process.

Our Statesboro drunk driving accident lawyer firm builds every claim with attention to detail. We review all available evidence, such as arrest reports, witness interviews, and medical evaluations, to create a clear and strong foundation for your case.

Who Could Be Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident?

Generally, many people might assume that the drunk driver is always liable in the case of a drunk driving accident. This is generally true; however, there could be others who are liable and may also bear some responsibility to pay restitution.

What is important to prove is that these parties failed to meet the responsibility that they had in the circumstances surrounding the accident and that the failure led directly to the accident. Parties that could be liable include:

• The Drunk Driver: In most situations, the drunk driver is going to bear at least some level of fault for the accident, but it must be shown that the intoxication led directly to the accident and injuries. There may be some instances where a driver could be intoxicated but not at fault for the accident. For instance, if a drunk driver is stopped at a red light and is rear-ended, then it could be difficult to argue that their intoxication was the cause of the accident.
• A Bar or Other Establishment: There are some situations where a bar, restaurant, or somewhere else that serves alcohol could be held liable under Georgia’s dram shop laws. However, for them to be liable, it must be shown that the patron was visibly intoxicated, but the establishment continued to serve them. They also have other duties to take reasonable measures to try and prevent drunk driving, including offering intoxicated patrons alternative transportation options.
• Social Hosts: If a social host continues to provide alcohol to someone who is intoxicated, it could result in their being liable for any injuries that were caused by the driver. This is particularly true if the host was likely to be aware of the fact that the individual would be driving.
• Another Party: Although rare, there are times when other parties could be held liable. For instance, if the driver was involved with work-related activities or was driving a company vehicle at the time of the accident, then the employer could be found liable for the situation. A vehicle owner could also be liable if they knowingly lent their vehicle to someone who was intoxicated at the time they lent in.

Can Bars or Restaurants Be Liable for Drunk Drivers?

In some cases, the person or business that provided the alcohol may also share in the responsibility. Georgia has laws that allow for what is known as “dram shop” liability. Under this principle, an establishment could be held accountable if it served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash.

This might apply to:

• Bars or nightclubs that continue serving someone who is obviously impaired
• Restaurants that sell alcohol to underage individuals
• Hosts of private parties where alcohol was served irresponsibly

Establishing liability in these situations takes careful investigation and legal strategy. Our skilled drunk driving accident victim support team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can evaluate whether third parties like a bar or restaurant might also be legally at fault in your case.

Statute of Limitations on Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Claim

A drunk driving claim is typically filed under a personal injury claim. In most situations, these claims have a statute of limitations of two years. This means that if you wait until after two years from the time of the accident, you may lose the opportunity to collect restitution.

There may be some variations in the deadline depending on the specifics of your accident, such as if you discovered injuries later or if it involved any minors.

How We Support You and Your Family After a Drunk Driving Accident

The moments following a drunk driving accident are often chaotic and overwhelming. If you were involved in a drunk driving accident, your focus should be on healing and recovery, not navigating the complexities of the legal system. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm , we provide unwavering support to you and your family in Statesboro, ensuring you have the resources and representation needed to secure justice and begin rebuilding your life. Call our Statesboro office today at 912-764-3434 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys and see what we can do for you.

We Handle Talking to the Insurance Companies

After a drunk driving accident on a busy Statesboro road like the Bypass (Veterans Memorial Parkway) or Blue Moon Crossing, the last thing you need is the stress of dealing with insurance adjusters. Their job is to protect their company’s profits, not to ensure you are treated fairly. They are trained to ask leading questions and may push you for a recorded statement to find ways to devalue or deny your claim. When you hire the attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm , this pressure stops immediately. We take over all communication. We notify the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier that you are represented and that all future correspondence must come through our office. We handle the paperwork, field the calls, and present your case from a position of strength, armed with the facts of the incident and a deep understanding of Georgia’s at-fault insurance laws. This allows you to focus on your recovery while we protect your rights. To see how we can help you, call us today for a free consultation at 912-764-3434.

We Can Help You Find Medical Care

The force of a collision with a drunk driver can cause severe injuries that require immediate and ongoing medical attention. Whether you were rushed to East Georgia Regional Medical Center or needed follow-up care with specialists for injuries like fractures, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injury, the medical bills due to your accident can be overwhelming. Many victims worry about how they will afford treatment, especially if they don’t have health insurance. We can help. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm works with a network of trusted medical providers in and around the Statesboro area who can treat you under a medical lien. This means they agree to provide the necessary care now and get paid directly from the settlement or verdict we obtain for you later. There are no upfront costs for your treatment, ensuring you get the care you need to properly document your injuries and begin the healing process.

We Fight For Your Compensation

A drunk driver made a reckless choice that harmed you, and in Georgia, you are entitled to pursue full compensation for all of your losses. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we meticulously build your case to demand maximum recovery. This includes costs such as economic damages to cover every penny of your medical bills, from the initial ambulance ride to future physical therapy, as well as all lost wages if your injuries kept you out of work. We will also fight for compensation for your damaged vehicle. Our attorneys also pursue non-economic damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life caused by the trauma. Furthermore, because the other driver was intoxicated, Georgia law allows us to seek punitive damages. These are intended not just to compensate you, but to punish the drunk driver for their egregious misconduct and to deter others in the Statesboro community from making the same dangerous choice.

Settling a Claim vs Going Through With the Court Process

The majority of personal injury claims, including many drunk driver accident claims, are settled out of court rather than going through litigation. The reason for this is that there are often some significant advantages to settling a claim.

In particular, it can tend to be a quicker process than if the claim goes to court. Some settlements can be worked out within a matter of a few months or even weeks, whereas a trial could take several months or years to resolve.

Another potential negative to taking a claim to court is the inherent risk that’s involved any time you leave it up to the court to make a decision. There’s the possibility that they will see things differently than you were hoping and make a ruling that’s not in your favor. With a settlement, you have the advantage of being certain that you will receive whatever amount that was agreed upon, typically within 30 days.

Of course, for a settlement to make sense, it needs to be an offer that is fair and sufficient. This is why it is critical that you have a lawyer who understands negotiating deals and is also prepared to take the claim to court if that is what is necessary to get you fair restitution.

Medical and Financial Impact of Drunk Driving Accidents

The consequences of a DUI-related accident often go far beyond the initial emergency. While first responders may stabilize someone at the scene, the journey back to health can be long and painful. Victims may face surgeries, physical therapy, and other forms of rehabilitation that continue for months or years. Some injuries leave permanent damage. Others may lead to lost earning potential or long-term disability.

Some of the common injuries sustained in these accidents include:

• Head trauma or brain injuries
• Fractures and crushed bones
• Spinal cord injuries that may result in paralysis
• Soft tissue damage
• Severe bruising or internal bleeding
• Emotional disorders such as PTSD or anxiety

Every one of these injuries carries emotional and financial costs. Recovery is not only about physical healing. It is also about ensuring that you do not bear the financial burden of someone else’s irresponsible decision. A qualified Georgia personal injury lawyer can help assess the true cost of the damage and fight to recover a settlement that reflects that reality.

Pursuing Punitive Damages in DUI Injury Cases

Punitive damages are not awarded in every personal injury case, but they may come into play when a defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or harmful. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs often meets that standard.

Unlike other forms of compensation that are meant to reimburse the victim for losses, punitive damages are designed to punish the offender and discourage similar conduct in the future. In Georgia, a jury may award punitive damages in DUI cases when it is proven that the driver acted with willful misconduct or showed a complete disregard for others’ safety.

Seeking these additional damages takes careful argumentation and strong evidence. It is not enough to prove that a drunk driver caused the crash. You also need to show why the behavior was especially egregious. The Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has handled these types of claims successfully and knows what is needed to pursue them effectively.

Types of Compensation Available After a DUI Crash

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Understanding the types of damages that may apply to your case helps you see the full picture of what recovery might look like. Some of the most common forms of compensation in DUI injury claims include:

Economic damages. These are direct and measurable losses that come out of your pocket or reflect money you would have earned if the accident had not occurred. They may include:

• Emergency medical care
• Ongoing treatment and therapy
• Medications and medical equipment
• Lost income
• Reduced earning ability
• Vehicle replacement or repair

Non-economic damages. These losses are real but do not come with a price tag. Instead, they reflect the human cost of what you have endured. This includes:

• Physical pain
• Mental and emotional suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent scarring or disability
• Impact on relationships

Punitive damages. As explained earlier, punitive damages may be available when the driver’s actions were especially reckless or malicious. These are not guaranteed, but our legal team can evaluate your case and help you determine if they apply to your situation.

Determining the right amount of compensation means looking at both the short term and the long term. Our team uses a detailed, evidence-based approach to carefully calculate the real value of what you have lost. When people try to handle their cases alone, they are often unaware of all the costs they can be compensated for. We want to help you secure the financial support that lets you move forward without worry.

The Urgency of Acting Within Georgia’s Legal Time Limits

Georgia law places a strict time limit on how long you have to file a personal injury claim. In most cases, this statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. That may sound like a long time, but evidence can fade quickly. Witnesses become harder to locate. Surveillance footage might get erased. Crucial documents could be lost.

Waiting too long can mean losing your ability to recover any compensation at all. That is why reaching out to us as soon as possible is essential. We can immediately begin preserving evidence and making sure deadlines are met. The sooner you start, the stronger your case will be.

Why the Community Trusts Merritt & Merritt Law Firm

Our commitment to client care is what sets us apart. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we are proud to serve victims throughout Georgia, and that includes individuals and families in the Statesboro area. We have built our reputation on results, compassion, and a belief that every person deserves a voice, no matter how powerful the insurance company on the other side may be.

When you choose to work with us you are not just hiring a law firm. You are choosing people who understand your pain and know how to guide you through the legal process with clarity and purpose. Our team combines strong negotiation skills with a client-centered approach that always puts your needs first.

Our firm offers free consultations, and we do not charge any legal fees unless we win compensation for you. That means there is no financial risk in reaching out. Whether you are just beginning to consider legal action or already feel overwhelmed by what lies ahead, Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is ready to help.

More Than Just DUI Cases: We Handle All Injury Claims Across Georgia

While this page focuses on supporting those injured by drunk drivers, it is important to know that our team handles nearly every kind of personal injury claim. If someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused harm to you or your loved one, we are here to help.

Our areas of practice include:

• Car crashes
• Trucking accidents
• Motorcycle wrecks
• Pedestrian injuries
• Bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall cases
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse
• Wrongful death claims
• Product liability injuries
• Premises liability

From serious spinal cord injuries to broken bones or emotional trauma, we understand how these events affect every part of your life. No matter what kind of injury you are facing, Merritt & Merritt Law Firm will stand beside you every step of the way.

FAQs

Q: Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?

This is a common and important question. Georgia follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages from the drunk driver as long as you are found to be 49% or less at fault for the accident. If a jury determines you are 50% or more responsible, you are barred from recovering any compensation.

For example, if you were traveling slightly over the speed limit on South Main Street when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and T-boned your vehicle, you might be assigned 10% of the fault. In this scenario, your total compensation would simply be reduced by that 10%. You would still recover the other 90%. Never assume you don’t have a case. 

The drunk driver’s negligence is the overwhelming factor in these incidents, and insurance companies will exploit any admission of fault to avoid paying. If you have been involved in an accident involving a drunk driver, it is critical to speak with an attorney from the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm before making any conclusions about your role in the accident. Call us today for a free consultation at 912-764-3434 and see how we can help you. 

We Can Help You Seek to Get Your Drunk Driving Accident Costs Compensated

When you are in an accident with a drunk driver, there is a good chance that the driver will face criminal charges, but that doesn’t necessarily provide a solution for the costs that you have incurred.

Your injuries likely created medical bills, and your vehicle probably needs repairs. There may be pain and suffering or other psychological impacts, or you may have lost out on wages if your injuries were serious enough for you to miss a significant portion of work. The costs are the responsibility of the drunk driver who caused the accident.

Often, seeking compensation for a drunk driving accident means dealing with the driver’s insurance provider, and getting proper restitution from them may prove to be a challenge. A Statesboro drunk driver accident lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can often be a critical part of ensuring that you are able to get the compensation that you are seeking.

We help our clients fight for the restitution that they are owed, whether through finding a negotiated settlement that works for both sides or by taking the claim to court if needed. Contact us today for help with your drunk driving accident claim.

Get the Justice You Deserve with the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm

The aftermath of a drunk driving crash can leave you confused, in pain, and unsure of what comes next. You should not have to carry the weight of someone else’s reckless decision. With the right help, you can recover physically, emotionally, and financially. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Statesboro drunk driving accident lawyer team is ready to pursue justice on your behalf. Call us today at 912-764-3434 for your free consultation and take the first step toward healing.