Despite being as careful as possible, a cautious driver can still be injured by a negligent driver in a car accident. With smart phones and other devices, there have never been more distractions and dangers on the roads. Car accidents can occur for wide variety of reasons, but one cause continues to endanger drivers everywhere — drunk driving.
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, alcohol-related car accidents increased between 2011 and 2015. According to the study, 366 people died in an accident involving an alcohol-impaired driver in 2015, the most recent year for which statistics were available. This was the highest number since 2009.
The study states that in 2015, a frightening 26 percent of car accidents involved alcohol. The odds of death in a car accident increase sixfold if alcohol is involved. Despite being as careful as possible, a drunk driver can be impossible to avoid. Our legal system does the best it can to correct for negligent drivers.
Those who are injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. In cases involving a fatal accident, Georgia allows the victim’s family to recover in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Losing a loved one or getting injured in a drunk driving accident is traumatizing, but there are options. An injured person or the family of the deceased can consult with an attorney to explore potential legal options. An attorney can provide support and guidance through difficult times and the complexities of the legal system.
Source: Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, “Alcohol Data Sheet,” accessed Sept. 27, 2017
