# Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer | Available 24/7 **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Fighting for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents Throughout Georgia 2. Georgia Drunk Driving Laws 3. How Alcohol Impairs Your Driving 4. How to Prove Liability Against a Drunk Driver 5. Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents 6. Georgia Dram Shop & Social Host Liability 7. What Compensation Can You Recover? 8. Why Choose Van Sant Law? [![David M. Van Sant, Owner and Attorney at Van Sant Law](https://www.vansantlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/david-m-van-sant-headshot-5.jpeg)](https://www.vansantlaw.com/team/david-m-van-sant/) Reviewed By [David M. Van Sant](https://www.vansantlaw.com/team/david-m-van-sant/) Owner, Attorney Last Reviewed: March 2026 ## Fighting for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents Throughout Georgia Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in all 50 states. Any driver in Georgia who is intoxicated or has a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater can be arrested for drunk driving. However, despite laws prohibiting drunk driving, people still do it every day, putting themselves, their passengers, and other drivers in danger. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, you understand the devastation that arises when you realize that the crash, injury, or death could have easily been prevented. Although no amount of compensation can bring back a family member or heal your injuries, holding the other party liable for your condition can help you to obtain the financial means necessary to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the crash.  [Van Sant Law, LLC](https://www.vansantlaw.com/about/) is the drunk driving accident lawyer Atlanta victims and their loved ones trust for compassionate representation and strong advocacy. For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer serving Atlanta, call [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) ## Georgia Drunk Driving Laws Under Georgia law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of: - **0.08% or higher** for drivers over 21 years old - **0.04% or higher** for commercial vehicle drivers - **0.02% or higher** for drivers under 21 Driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia is a criminal offense with serious penalties including fines, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education programs. However, even if the drunk driver is facing criminal charges, **you must still pursue a separate civil claim** to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) ## How Alcohol Impairs Your Driving Alcohol affects the brain’s ability to function, significantly impairing critical motor skills needed for safe driving. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect: - **Reaction time:** Alcohol slows your brain’s processing speed, delaying your response to hazards. - **Judgment:** Drunk drivers are more likely to make dangerous decisions, such as speeding or running red lights. - **Coordination and balance:** Alcohol weakens muscle coordination, making it harder to steer or control the vehicle. - **Vision:** Impaired drivers often experience blurred vision or difficulty focusing. - **Concentration:** Alcohol reduces the driver’s ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously. When drivers get behind the wheel intoxicated, they risk causing high-speed collisions, head-on crashes, or pedestrian accidents—often with tragic consequences. [Click to contact](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) our Car Accident Lawyers in Atlanta today ## How to Prove Liability Against a Drunk Driver To succeed in a civil lawsuit, you must prove that the drunk driver was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. In Georgia, negligence involves showing: 1. **Duty of care:** The driver had a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely. 2. **Breach of duty:** Driving while intoxicated is a clear breach of that duty. 3. **Causation:** The breach led to the accident and your injuries. 4. **Damages:** You suffered measurable losses such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. **Our Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyers will gather key evidence such as:** - Police accident reports and DUI arrest records - BAC test results and field sobriety test footage - Eyewitness testimony - Traffic camera or dash cam footage - Accident reconstruction expert reports We also pursue punitive damages in DUI accident cases. These are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are meant to punish the drunk driver and deter future misconduct. Complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) now ## Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents While any type of car crash can be devastating and cause permanent injuries or death, a drunk driving accident is particularly detrimental to those involved, as drunk drivers are often unable to react quickly enough to swerve or avoid crashing into another vehicle at the last moment. **Drunk driving incidents often cause severe injuries such as:** - [Soft tissue damage](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/soft-tissue-injury-lawyer/) - [Bone fractures](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/broken-bones-injury-lawyer/) - Amputation - Scarring or disfigurement - [Brain injuries](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/brain-injury-lawyer/) - [Burn injuries](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/burn-injury-lawyer/) - [Spinal cord injuries](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer/) - [Death](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/wrongful-death-lawyer/) Injuries sustained in drunk driving crashes can range from mild to severe, but many can cause significant pain and lifelong complications for victims. In some cases, an individual may be permanently disfigured, [paralyzed](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/paralysis-injury-lawyer/), or hurt in a way that will limit his or her ability to work. ## Georgia Dram Shop & Social Host Liability In some cases, drunk drivers aren’t the only parties responsible. Georgia law allows injury victims to pursue claims against **bars, restaurants, or social hosts** that served alcohol to the intoxicated driver under certain conditions. **Under Georgia’s Dram Shop Act, a business may be held liable if:** - They knowingly served alcohol to someone who was **visibly intoxicated**, and - They knew that person would be driving shortly thereafter. Similarly, **social hosts** (such as someone throwing a party) may be liable if they served alcohol to a **minor** who then caused a crash. These laws are complex and often require swift legal action to preserve evidence and prove knowledge or intent. At Van Sant Law, we explore every avenue of liability to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available. ## What Compensation Can You Recover? Victims of drunk driving accidents in Atlanta may be entitled to compensation for: - **Medical expenses:** Past and future hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication - **Lost wages:** Income lost due to time away from work - **Loss of earning capacity:** If your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or career - **Pain and suffering:** Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, and reduced quality of life - **Property damage:** Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle - [**Wrongful death**](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/wrongful-death-lawyer/)**damages:** If you lost a loved one, you may recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more Van Sant Law fights for full compensation and works with experts to assess the true value of your claim. ## Why Choose Van Sant Law? - **Experience You Can Trust:** We have successfully represented countless victims of drunk driving accidents throughout Georgia. - **Focused Representation:** Our firm specializes in personal injury law. We know how to navigate the complexities of DUI-related injury cases. - **Aggressive Advocacy:** We’re not afraid to take your case to trial if it means securing justice. - **Client-Centered Approach:** We treat clients like family and provide consistent updates and support throughout the legal process. - **No Upfront Fees:** We work on a **contingency fee basis**, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call or text [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) or complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) --- Source: https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/car-accident-lawyer/drunk-driving/