A Georgia auto wreck attorney notes that alcohol and speeding may have caused a deadly car accident that left two people dead and several injured. The victims include an 11-month-old child who died in hospital two weeks after the crash. In addition to criminal charges, people who drive under the influence may be liable to the others they harm, and victims of negligence, as well as the families of those killed, may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of Georgia auto accident attorneys.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Georgia. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with affiliated Georgia auto accident attorneys who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Report: Eleven-Month-Old Baby Dies in Hospital
Law enforcement officials responding to the scene of the car crash near Lawrenceville, Georgia, found five people in critical condition including one person who was dead at the scene. According to patch.com, an eleven-month-old child was also among the victims of the accident believed to involve speed and alcohol. The toddler had survived the initial impact but died two weeks later at a local hospital.
Though a complete investigation has not yet been conducted, initial reports offered by police officials indicate that one of the drivers failed to stay within his lane and veered into oncoming traffic, colliding nearly head-on with the other vehicle. It is not yet known exactly how fast the vehicle that crossed lanes was moving or exactly why authorities suspect alcohol was a factor, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents is Different Than Civil Liability
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal action against the driver, the determination of the criminal court is different than any civil case that may be brought against the driver. In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail or probation. Sometimes monetary fines and restitution are imposed on the guilty party.
However, the outcome of a criminal matter is often not relevant to a civil matter that could be brought against the person committing the wrongful act. A person who drives drunk commits a crime, but if that person also injures or kills another person while driving drunk, he or she may face civil liability in addition to criminal charges. In a civil case, a person’s actions are not judged on whether they were illegal, but instead on whether they constituted negligence, reckless or malicious behavior, or other fault. If those actions are found to constitute fault, and if those actions caused injury to another person, then the wrongful actor may be held liable to the injured party for the payment of money to compensate for the injuries and other damages caused.
How a Georgia Auto Wreck Attorney Can Help
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
If the actions causing injury are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Georgia. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
