When an impaired driver causes a collision in Marietta, victims face consequences that can last for months or years. These crashes differ from typical traffic accidents because they involve criminal behavior alongside civil claims. The Persons Firm represents people injured by drunk or drugged drivers throughout Cobb County and the surrounding areas.
Drunk driving remains a persistent problem on Georgia roads despite decades of awareness campaigns and strict penalties. Victims need legal representation that handles both the insurance aspects and the criminal case connections that make DUI crashes unique.
How DUI Accidents Differ from Other Collisions
A crash caused by an intoxicated driver creates different legal opportunities than a standard negligence case. The impaired driver faces criminal charges under Georgia Code § 40-6-391, which prohibits operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. This criminal case runs parallel to any civil claim for damages.
Police reports from DUI accidents typically contain valuable evidence. Officers document field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, and observations about the driver’s condition. This documentation becomes crucial when building a civil case. A Marietta DUI accident lawyer knows how to obtain and use this evidence effectively.
Punitive damages become available in these cases. Georgia law allows juries to award extra compensation beyond actual damages. Drunk driving often meets this threshold, and the additional damages can significantly increase the value of a case.
Common Causes of Drunk Driving Crashes in Marietta
Impaired drivers create hazards through multiple dangerous behaviors. Alcohol and drugs affect reaction time, judgment, vision, and coordination. A driver who would normally stop at a red light might blow through an intersection. Someone who could handle a curve at normal speed might lose control.
DUI crashes in Marietta frequently involve:
- Head-on collisions when impaired drivers cross the center line on roads like Roswell Road or Lower Roswell Road
- Rear-end accidents caused by delayed braking or failure to notice stopped traffic on Highway 41 or the I-75 connector
- Intersection crashes when drunk drivers run red lights or stop signs at busy crossings throughout the city
- Single-vehicle accidents where impaired drivers strike pedestrians, bicyclists, or fixed objects after losing control
Weekend nights and holiday periods see increased rates of drunk driving. Bars close, parties end, and impaired people make the dangerous choice to drive home. These predictable patterns mean law enforcement increases patrols during high-risk times, which also means better documentation when crashes occur.
Georgia DUI Laws and Your Civil Case
Georgia maintains strict rules about impaired driving. A DUI accident attorney Georgia residents trust will know that the state operates under both “per se” and “less safe” DUI laws. The per se law means anyone with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is legally intoxicated, regardless of actual impairment. The less safe law allows prosecution when any amount of alcohol or drugs makes someone a less safe driver.
Commercial drivers face even stricter standards. Georgia sets the BAC limit at 0.04% for commercial vehicle operators. This lower threshold recognizes the additional danger posed by large trucks and buses.
Drivers under 21 face zero-tolerance rules. Any measurable alcohol in their system violates Georgia law. These strict standards for young drivers reflect the state’s commitment to preventing underage drinking and driving.
The criminal case against a drunk driver does not need to finish before filing a civil claim. Victims can pursue compensation through insurance claims and lawsuits while criminal charges proceed separately. A conviction in criminal court helps the civil case, but it is not required for recovering damages.
Injuries From DUI Accidents
Drunk driving crashes often cause severe harm because impaired drivers cannot take evasive action. A sober driver might brake or swerve to lessen the impact. An intoxicated driver plows ahead at full speed. This creates high-energy collisions that cause serious injuries.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, severe lacerations, and burn injuries. Some victims never fully recover. Others face months of surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy.
Medical costs pile up quickly. Emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and follow-up care create bills that easily reach six figures. Lost income adds to the financial strain when injuries prevent working. A Marietta DUI accident lawyer helps victims recover full compensation for these economic losses, plus pain and suffering.
Building a Strong DUI Accident Case
Evidence collection must begin immediately. Police reports provide a foundation, but additional investigation often uncovers more proof. Witness statements, surveillance footage, accident reconstruction, and expert testimony strengthen cases.
The Persons Firm investigates where the drunk driver consumed alcohol. Georgia’s dram shop law, found in Georgia Code § 51-1-40, allows claims against bars and restaurants that serve visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause accidents. Proving a dram shop case requires showing the establishment knowingly served someone who was obviously intoxicated. Security footage and witness testimony from other patrons can establish this.
Social host liability is more limited in Georgia. Hosts who provide alcohol to minors can face liability if that minor later causes a DUI crash. However, Georgia does not impose liability on hosts who serve alcohol to adults who then drive drunk.
Medical records document injuries and treatment. Bills and pay stubs prove economic losses. Expert witnesses explain long-term prognosis and future care needs. Building this comprehensive picture of damages takes time and legal skill.
Areas We Serve in Marietta
The Persons Firm represents clients throughout Marietta and the surrounding communities. We serve residents in zip codes 30060, 30061, 30062, 30063, 30064, 30065, 30066, 30067, 30068, and 30069. Our practice extends throughout Cobb County and the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Our Marietta DUI accident lawyers handle cases from East Cobb, West Cobb, South Marietta, and all neighborhoods in between.
Contact The Persons Firm Today
If a drunk driver injured you or someone you love, legal help is available. The Persons Firm offers free consultations to discuss your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means no upfront costs and no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced DUI accident attorney that Georgia victims trust. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on recovery.