Drunk Driving Accidents

"Driving under the influence," "driving while intoxicated," and "operating while intoxicated" are terms used for driving behavior related to alcohol or drugs.  Regardless of the terminology, we believe that drunk driving is the greatest risk on the highways today.  According to a 2006 study by the National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the United States can expect one drunk driving fatality every thirty minutes.  In 2006, 17,602 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents, meaning that 41% of all traffic fatalities were caused by drunk drivers (NHTSA).  A driver who chooses to operate a vehicle while intoxicated puts other drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians at-risk on the roads.  When we have clients who have been injured or lost loved ones in drunk driving accidents, we work to achieve financial compensation for their injuries or losses, medical bills, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and lost wages caused by time away from work.

Due to the severe effects of drunk driving, lawmakers are beginning to toughen drunk driving laws across the United States.  By way of example, Georgia enacted a new DUI law on July, 1, 2008, making punishments for driving under the influence much harsher for offenders.  Titled House Bill 336, the law more strictly punishes first-time offenders (they must undergo drug and alcohol evaluation) as well as repeat offenders (four counts of DUI within ten years results in a felony offense rather than just a misdemeanor). 

Despite these improvements to the criminal system for punishing a drunk driver, that same system does absolutely nothing for assisting or compensating the victim of a drunk driving accident.  At Murphy & Associates, we have won compensation for victims of alcohol-related automobile accidents throughout metro Atlanta.  If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driving accident, call us at 770-577-3020 for answers to your most pressing questions in a free consultation.  We will help you recover the maximum amount of compensation for your case, including compensation for punitive damages (intended to punish the drunk driver, the claim will reward you financially).  

James Murphy has been fighting insurance companies both in and out of the courtroom for  years.  His experience will help you recover for your injuries and get you back on your feet.  Murphy & Associates is located near the Douglas County Courthouse and has successfully represented seriously injured individuals throughout West Georgia, including clients in Douglasville, Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, Hiram, Bremen, Lithia Springs, Dallas, Tallapoosa, Carrollton, Douglas County, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, Paulding County, Haralson County, and Carroll County.

Web Resources for DUI Accidents:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

Bikers Against Drunk Drivers (BADD)

Blog for Drunk Driving Accidents

• Labor Day 2010 Weekend is Hear | Douglasville Accident Lawyer
• An Intern at the Governor’s Office was Involved in a DUI Auto Accident
• Drunk Driver Travels Wrong Way on I-85 Resulting in Fatal Car Accident
• DUI Car Accident on Interstate 20 in Douglas County
• Drunk Drivers Targeted in Douglas County | Douglasville Personal Injury Attorney
• Vehicular Homicide: 30 Year Sentence | | Douglasville Accident Attorney
• Three Car Accident Occurred in Albany, Georgia
• Georgia State Patrol Awarded H.E.A.T. Grant | Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation Lawyer | State of Georgia
• A Warning for Holiday Travel: Drinking and Driving
• Augusta Resident Involved in Three-Car Wreck | Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
• Two Injured in Effingham County, Georgia Car Accident | Georgia Accident Lawyer
• Cherokee County School Teacher Injured in Car Accident | Georgia Accident Lawyer
• Drunk driver responsible for crash that killed Mom and son
• New Georgia State Laws for Alcohol and Crime | Atlanta & Douglasville DUI Accident Lawyer
• Drunk Driver Sent 3 to Atlanta Hospitals After Car Accident | Atlanta DUI Accident Attorney
• Warner Robins Residents Involved in Serious Accident
• Driver Crashes into Building, Charged with DUI for Prescription Drugs
• Drunk Driving Accident on I-20 Injures Two, Driver Charged
• Powder Springs Woman Charged for Serving Alcohol to Minor Killed in Car Accident
• Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Bumper of Police Car in Lumpkin County

Library for Drunk Driving Accidents:

• Speeding, Bad Weather, and DUI: Main Causes of Auto Collisions   
  Description: Over the years of representing motorists injured in automobile accidents, we have observed three major factors that contribute to accidents: high speed, bad weather, and driving under the influence. If you have been involved in an auto accident and have questions of liability and/or negligence, please contact our firm at (770) 577-3020. We offer of a free consultation with no obligation.
• Three Air Lifted to Atlanta Hospitals Following Car Accident Caused by Drunk Driver | Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer   
  Description: Athens-Clarke area police have confirmed that Sunday night's car accident on U.S. Highway 78 that sent three people to Atlanta area hospitals was caused by a drunk driver, according to Roger Nielsen of the Athens Banner-Herald online. Drunk driving accident victims and their families often have many questions regarding their rights, what to do after their accidents, and how to find the medical treatment they need. For more information on how to receive medical care with little or no health insurance, feel free to call our office at 770-577-3020.
• Driver Charged With DUI After Taking Prescription Drugs and Crashing into Building   
  Description: After an SUV crashed into a building in Albany, Georgia, Sunday evening, the woman driver was cited for DUI (driving under the influence), according to Jim Wallace of the WALB News website. If you have been injured by a driver who was cited with DUI, please feel free to call our office at 770-577-3020 for free answers to any questions you may have.
• Drunk Driver Charged for I-20 Wrong Way Accident That Injured Two   
  Description: A DUI accident in North Augusta, South Carolina, resulted in the woman driver turning herself in to authorities, according to the WJBF News Channel 6 website based in Georgia. The site reports that 45-year-old Julie Pfinnig Lafon has been accused of driving the wrong way on Interstate 20 (I-20) while intoxicated on January 31, 2009. Our law firm handles drunk driving accident cases that resulted in injury to innocent victims, and we hope for the fast and full recovery of the injured in this accident. If you have been injured in car accident caused by a drunk driver, feel free to call us at Murphy & Associates for a free consultation with an experienced Georgia DUI accident lawyer. We will answer all of your questions for free and evaluate your unique situation. 770-577-3020.
• Powder Springs Woman Charged for Serving Alcohol to Minor Killed in Car Accident   
  Description: The 11 Alive website reports that Kecia Whitfield, 43, has been arrested for serving alcoholic beverages to 16-year-old Garrett Reed during a party at her home on January 25, 2009, the date of Reed's fatal car crash. Drunk driving accidents are serious matters. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident and has questions for an experienced DUI accident attorney, please feel free to call us. We will answer your questions regarding liability, your rights, and other important issues for free. 770-577-3020.
• Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Bumper of Police Car in Lumpkin County   
  Description: A Lumpkin County police officer's cruiser was rear-ended last week in a crash caused by a potentially drunk driver, according to Matt Aiken of The Dahlonega Nugget online. Our law firm handles drunk driving accidents (DUI accident cases), and we represent clients who have suffered injuries due to auto accidents caused by drunk drivers. If you have been injured due to a drunk driving accident, please feel free to call us at 770-577-3020. We will answer all of your questions for free.
• University of Georgia Student Found Passed Out in Running Car   
  Description: Falling asleep at the wheel and driving drunk, two of the most dangerous activities on the roads, leave many people booked on charges of DUI or reckless driving, but what happens if someone is guilty of both at once? An Athens police officer helped to answer that question Sunday after finding a 20-year-old student from the University of Georgia passed out in her vehicle while it was still running. Our law firm handles DUI accidents (drunk driving accidents), and we stress the importance of finding a designated driver if you have been drinking and need transportation. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, please feel free to call us with any questions you may have, and we will consult with you for free. 770-577-3020.
• Middle Georgia's 3 Fatalities Linked to DUI, Say Officials   
  Description: Of the 20 fatalities that occurred over the New Year's travel period in Georgia, three of them took place in the middle of the state, according to Liz Fabian of the Macon.com website. All three of those fatal accidents were most likely alcohol-related, says Fabian. Our law firm handles DUI accident cases. If you know someone who is planning to drive while under the influence of alcohol, make sure you find a designated driver for him or her. If you have lost a loved one or been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, please feel free to call us for free answers to any questions you may have. 770-577-3020.
• Alcohol-Related Car Accident Kills Laurens County Man in Rentz, Georgia   
  Description: A Thursday evening car accident killed a 34-year-old man from Laurens County, Georgia, when his vehicle crashed into a power pole, according to Amy Leigh Womack of the Macon.com website. According to Georgia State Patrol troopers, alcohol was involved in the Laurens County car accident. Our law firm handles DUI accident cases and fatal accident cases throughout the state of Georgia, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jermaine Wright.
• Friend Shoots Paintballs at Car in Attempt to Prevent DUI   
  Description: A new attempt at preventing drunk driving sent a man from Washington state to jail, according to the 11 Alive news website. Police from Kennewick, Washington, arrested Shawn Wallace, 41, after responding to reports of the man shooting paintballs at a neighbor's vehicle on Tuesday evening, December 30. Though our law firm does not encourage such an unusual attempt at preventing others from driving drunk, we do assert that drunk driving must be prevented. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a drunk driver, please feel free to call us with any questions you may have, and we will consult with you for free. 770-577-3020.
• Canton Area DUI Accident Kills One, Injures One   
  Description: A DUI accident near Canton, Georgia, killed one teenage girl and sent another to the hospital shortly after midnight Friday evening, according to Paul Crawley of the 11 Alive News website. Our law firm handles DUI accident and wrongful death cases such as this, and we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of both teenage girls. We represent clients who have faced the indescribable trauma of losing loved ones in DUI accidents, and our thoughts are with you at this most difficult time.
• DUI Driver Kills One, Injures Five in Bleckley County Accident   
  Description: Five were injured and one killed by a DUI driver in a two-car crash in Bleckley County, Georgia, Sunday morning, December 14, according to Becky Purser of the Macon.com news website. Our law firm handles DUI accident cases and wrongful death cases. We represent clients who have faced the indescribable trauma of losing loved ones in accidents caused by DUI drivers, and we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rivera Garcia.
• Apparent Drunk Driver Runs Over Himself with His Vehicle   
  Description: A recent police chase in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ended when the 21-year-old apparent drunk driver who was fleeing the Sante Fe police ran over himself with his vehicle, according to the 11 Alive website. Our law firm handles drunk driving accidents. While injuries in this incident only inflicted the drunk driver himself, many DUI accidents result in injuries to innocent victims. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, please feel free to call us with any questions you may have. We offer a free consultation. 770-577-3020.
• Aiken Resident Killed in Richmond County I-20 Accident, Alcohol Suspected to be a Factor   
  Description: Aiken resident Jessie Aaron Petoskey, 29, died after an Interstate 20 accident in Richmond County on Friday, October 31, according to Adam Folk of the Augusta Chronicle online. According to Weaver and chief deputy coroner Mark Bowen, alcohol may have contributed to the cause of the crash. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Jessie Patoskey. We represent clients who have been through the indescribable trauma of losing a loved one or being injured in a DUI accident or other type of auto accidents. If you have suffered injury or loss as a result of a car wreck, please feel free to call us with any questions you may have. We will consult with you for free and handle your case with compassion and professionalism should you choose to work with us. 770-577-3020.
• Julio Cate and Jairo Curruchich, of Marietta, Killed in Roswell Accident on 92   
  Description: Julio Cesar Cate and Jaro Efrain Curruchich, 24, were both killed Sunday morning, November 2, in a Roswell area car accident, according to the 11 Alive news website. We offer deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and injured. We represent clients who have been through the devastating experience of a DUI Accident or fatal accident case. If you have lost a loved one or been injured as a result of an accident, please feel free to call us with your questions. We will consult with you for free. 770-577-3020.
• Lula, Georgia, Resident Killed in Accident with DUI Driver   
  Description: Rachel Reece, 19, of Lula, Georgia, was killed after an accident Wednesday night (October 8) involving a DUI driver. Driver Timmy Mills of Baldwin, 40, was charged with DUI after striking Reece’s vehicle at the intersection of Old Cornelia Highway and Mud Creek Road. Our law firm handles wrongful death and DUI accident cases. If you have any questions regarding an accident in which you were injured or lost a loved one, please feel free to call us at 770-577-3020. We will consult with you for free.
• Falcons Player Lawyer Milloy Arrested on DUI Charges   
  Description: Atlanta Falcons player Lawyer Milloy was arrested on DUI and speeding charges early Monday morning after the game against Tampa Bay. According to Chris Sweigart of 11Alive.com, the starting safety was booked at the Gwinnett County Detention Center and released on $1,641.00 bond hours later. Our law firm handles car accident cases. If you have been involved in a car accident in which another driver was at fault due to speeding, DUI, or any other reason, call us at 770-577-3020 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.
• Suspects in Dalton Car Accident Leave One Man Dead at the Scene   
  Description: The Dalton Police Department is still investigating a one-car accident that occurred Friday evening around 11:00pm and left one man dead on the scene. According to www.InjuryBoard.com, the driver and a second passenger of a Ford Explorer SUV fled the scene after the vehicle left the roadway on the Hamilton Connector and slammed into a tree. Passenger Rene Olvera Resendiz was pronounced dead on the scene. Our law firm handles car accident and fatal accident cases such as this. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident in which another driver was at fault, call 770-577-3020 for a free consultation.
• DUI Driver Found Guilty of Murder for Fatal I-75 Accident   
  Description: A drunk driver was found guilty of murder Wednesday (July 30) at a trial for a car accident that occurred on I-75 last summer. In the accident, Raymond Joseph Garner of Andersonville, Kentucky, crashed into another vehicle while going 90 miles per hour and never applying the break. As a result, other cars were involved, and the crash killed an 8-year-old boy, a pregnant woman, and her unborn child. Garner had consumed beer, wine, and valium just before driving the day of the accident and was sipping wine in his vehicle before the crash. Our law firm handles wrongful death and fatal accident cases such as this. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident due to a drunk or reckless driver, call us at 770-577-3020 for a free consultation.
• Metro Atlanta Police Officer Arrested and Charged with DUI in Sandy Springs Accident   
  Description: Sergeant Vernon Sands of the Sandy Springs Police Department was arrested Saturday night (July 26) after being charged with driving under the influence when he crashed his vehicle. After his single-car accident in metro Atlanta’s Rockdale County, Sands was placed on administrative leave from his position in the operations division of the police department. Our law firm handles car accident cases. If you have been injured in a car accident by a drunk driver, call us at 770-577-3020 for a free consultation.

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Web Resources for Drunk Driving Accidents:

• Alcoholics Anonymous

  Description:

  Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

• Cherokee County School Teacher Injured in Head-On Collision | Car Accident Attorney

  Description: In Cherokee County, Georgia, an auto accident occurred when a vehicle crashed into another vehicle head-on. According to the Cherokee County Sheriffs Deputies, Nickolas Miller, twenty two years of age and an Acworth, Georgia resident, was arrested for crashing his vehicle into another vehicle head-on. The victim of this car accident, a Cherokee County school teacher, Deborah Walton, fifty six years of age, received severe injuries. Drunk driving accident victims and their families often have many questions regarding their rights, such as, what to do after an accident, and how to find the medical treatment they need if they don’t have health insurance. For more information on how to receive medical care with little or no health insurance, feel free to call our office at 770-577-3020.

• Students Against Destructive Decisions

  Description: The site focuses on teenagers and drunk driving (among other abuse issues) and provides links to program information, statistics, and press releases on the topic.

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving

  Description: Drunk driving statistics, information about programs for underage drinkers and services available to victims, and other DUI information is available here.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Impaired Driving Division

  Description: The NHTSA Impaired Driving Division works to prevent injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving (DUI) and other substance abuse.

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