A Hidden Danger: DUI Drivers

As a lawyer representing people in car accident cases, I have noticed that most car accidents occur as a result of simple negligence. Someone is simply not being careful, is going too fast or just not paying attention on the roadway.

However, with the growing number of bars and restaurants we are seeing in Douglasville, we have to be aware of the fact that there are more drivers on our roads who are drinking and driving.

"Driving under the influence", or "Driving while intoxicated", is the term for alcohol-related driving behavior. It is responsible for nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in this country. Many of these impaired drivers are repeat offenders and can cause a heavy burden of death and/or injury to themselves and to innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

When drunk drivers cause wrecks, Georgia juries can return large verdicts showing that such conduct is unacceptable, even if the actual injury is relatively small. Such verdicts are routinely affirmed by our appellate courts. In Craig v. Holsey, 264 Ga. App. 344 (2004), the jury returned a verdict of $8,801.40 in actual damages and $200,000.00 in punitive damages. On appeal, the large punitive damages award was upheld. In another case, based upon medical bills of only $643.00, the jury returned a verdict for actual damages of $3,000.00 and for punitive damages in the amount of $300,000.00. Langlois v. Wolford , 246 Ga App. 209 (2000).