Georgia drivers may be aware that drunk driving is a serious and potentially deadly road hazard. In fact, it is estimated that about 33 percent of all traffic fatalities are associated with drunk driving.
When a person drinks alcohol, the alcohol stays in the body until the liver can process it out. The liver is capable of removing about 1 ounce of alcohol from the blood every hour although this time can vary, especially if the person has a compromised liver. In general, a person is considered legally intoxicated if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. Driving while intoxicated could result in drunk driving fatalities if an intoxicated driver causes a car accident.
Due to the speed and forces involved, individuals in a car crash are at risk for suffering serious injuries. For example, a person could suffer a traumatic head or brain injury if he or she strikes a hard surface like the steering wheel. If a person goes into hypovolemic shock after losing too much blood, he or she is at risk from bleeding out if emergency personnel do not arrive in time. Other injuries could include an injury to the internal organs and impalement from debris.
Drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles in a safe manner. If they fail to do this by drinking and driving, they could cause car accidents. When that happens, victims may have the ability to seek compensation, especially if they suffered any injuries. A personal injury attorney may help determine what compensation the injured could potentially seek, especially there is evidence that the drunk driver was liable for the car crash like a police report and witness testimony. In the event that the driver or the driver’s insurance will not accept liability, the attorney may represent the injured person in court.
