DUI & Drug-Related Accidents
When Impaired Drivers Cause Accidents
The decision to drink and drive is not an "accident" and those who drive after drinking or using drugs should be held accountable — by the victims, and by the criminal justice system.
The lawyers of Gary Martin Hays & Associates in Atlanta are dedicated to recovering damages on behalf of victims and to educating the public about the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Gary Martin Hays is passionate about keeping drunk drivers off Georgia streets and highways. In fact, he served on the state advisory council for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) in Georgia, and his law firm has been the title sponsor of Strides for Change, a fundraiser to support the many programs of M.A.D.D. in Georgia.
Sobering Statistics
- Of all the traffic fatalities in Georgia in 2008, about 27 percent (441 deaths) involved a driver who was legally intoxicated (blood-alcohol content of .08).
- Nationwide, more than 13,000 Americans die each year in alcohol-related crashes, and nearly 500,000 more suffer injuries.
- Three out of 10 people will be involved in an alcohol-related accident in their lifetime.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children 2 to 14 years old, and about 20 percent of those deaths are alcohol-related.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Victim of an Intoxicated Driver?
If a family member has been injured or killed by a drunk driver, you should contact us as soon as possible. At Gary Martin Hays & Associates, we are well versed in DUI laws and the personal injury and wrongful death statutes. In fact, we actively advocate for tougher penalties for drunk drivers and drug-impaired drivers that cause crashes and injuries.
Compensation and Liability in Drunk Driving Accidents
Where did the intoxicated driver get the alcohol? If the person was obviously intoxicated and served more alcohol by an establishment with a liquor license, that business can be held liable under "dram shop" laws for resulting injury or death to a third party. Likewise, if the intoxicated person was furnished alcohol or drugs at a private party, the homeowner may have personal liability under Georgia's social host law. When an adult provides drugs or alcohol to a minor and that minor injures or kills someone, they too are liable for the consequences.
In most cases, we are seeking damages through the drunk driver's auto insurance policy. If that driver was uninsured or underinsured, we may have to seek full or partial compensation under the victim's auto policy. Gary Martin Hays & Associates stands up to insurance companies to get the full compensation our clients deserve.
To arrange a free consultation about your case, contact the personal injury attorneys of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Call toll free 866.710.4116.
