Being hit by a drunk driver is more than an accident – it’s the result of a choice that put your life at risk. If you or a loved one was injured by an impaired driver in Cartersville or North Georgia, The Delashmit Firm will fight to hold them fully accountable. Founding attorney Hunter Delashmit uses his insurance-defense background to pursue maximum compensation, which in drunk driving cases can include punitive damages. Call (770) 341-0559 for a free consultation.
You may be entitled to punitive damages
Most car accident cases pay only for your actual losses. But because drunk driving is so reckless, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1) may allow punitive damages – extra compensation meant to punish the drunk driver and deter others. These can substantially increase the value of your claim, and they are exactly the kind of damages insurers fight hardest to avoid.
Who can be held responsible?
The drunk driver is the obvious defendant, but they are not always the only one. Under Georgia’s dram shop law (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-40), a bar or restaurant that knowingly served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, or to a minor, who then causes a crash may also be liable. Identifying every responsible party can open additional insurance coverage.
The criminal case is separate from your claim
The DUI charge against the driver is a criminal matter handled by the state. Your right to compensation is a separate civil claim. Even if the criminal case is still pending – or results in a plea – you can still pursue the money you need to recover. We handle the civil side for you.
Frequently asked questions
Punitive damages are extra compensation to punish especially reckless conduct, like drunk driving, and deter it. Georgia law may allow them in DUI cases (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1). We evaluate whether they apply to your case.
Possibly. Under Georgia’s dram shop law, a establishment that knowingly served a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who then caused the crash may share liability. We investigate where the driver was drinking.
No. Your civil injury claim is separate from the criminal case and has its own two-year deadline (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). It is best to start promptly so evidence is preserved.
Contact a Cartersville drunk driving accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was hurt by a drunk driver in Cartersville or North Georgia, call The Delashmit Firm at (770) 341-0559 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.