By now, any driver on Georgia’s roads should be aware that drunk or drugged driving is both dangerous and irresponsible.
There are also serious criminal penalties for those who, because of operating under the influence, cause a major motor vehicle accident.
Unfortunately, too many people choose to drink and drive anyway, and the results are often tragic.
According to information from Bankrate, thus far in 2022, Georgia has had over 1,500 traffic-related deaths. Of these, 450, about 30%, involved alcohol use. Bankrate was quoting information originally complied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA.
In short, anyone driving or riding in a car in or around Albany runs the risk of having their lives cut short, or profoundly changed by a severe injury, because of a drunk driver.
What are my options if I am hurt by a drunk driver?
Drunk driving goes beyond simple carelessness or negligence. Victims or their families can recover compensation from the driver, or the driver’s insurance company, for their medical bills, lost income and other out-of-pocket costs.
They also may recover for other losses that are very real but just harder to put a number on, like their pain and suffering or emotional distress. Punitive damages may also be available in a drunk driving case.
But many victims can run into the practical problem that the driver did not carry a lot of insurance and has no other way of paying for their mistake.
Provided they purchased this type of coverage, victims in this situation may have to rely on the uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits available from their own insurance companies.
Depending on the circumstances, the person or business which served alcohol to the drunk driver may also be liable to pay compensation. Victims of drunk drivers can explore this type of claim as they evaluate their legal options.