# What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident? | Van Sant Law **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Economic Damages: The Bills You Can Add Up 2. Non-Economic Damages 3. Punitive Damages May Be Awarded in Certain Cases 4. How a Drunk Driving Claim Actually Works 5. Why the Drunk Driver's Criminal Case Isn't Enough 6. Learn More About Damages Available After You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver After a drunk driving accident, you can typically recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Most people underestimate the value of their claim. You can avoid the risk of leaving money on the table by seeking legal representation from an experienced [Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/car-accident-lawyer/drunk-driving/). Van Sant Law can walk you through which of these apply to your situation and how much your claim may actually be worth. Our attorneys take the time to consider more than the ER visit and the dented car. We evaluate the losses that come with months of physical therapy, missed paychecks, and the long-term impact on your ability to work. A drunk driving crash is different from an ordinary accident because someone made a deliberate choice, and Georgia law gives you room to hold them accountable for it. ## Economic Damages: The Bills You Can Add Up Economic damages are the financial damages you can prove on paper, like medical expenses and missed paychecks. After a crash caused by a drunk driver, these usually include: - **Medical expenses**: Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits - **Lost wages**: The money you didn’t receive because you couldn’t work due to your injuries - **Loss of earning capacity**: The money you’ll lose if your injuries keep you from doing the same work - **Property damage**: Vehicle repair bills or the value of a totaled car The [Atlanta car accident lawyers](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/car-accident-lawyer/) at Van Sant Law gather the documentation that backs each of these up, from medical records to vehicle damage reports, so nothing gets overlooked when we calculate what you’re owed. For a free legal consultation, call [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) ## Non-Economic Damages Some of the worst parts of a drunk driving accident never show up on a bill. Pain that lingers. Sleep that won’t come. The knot in your stomach every time you get back behind the wheel. These are non-economic damages, and they’re just as real as the medical costs. They cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment in things you used to do without a second thought. Putting a dollar figure on them takes experience, because there’s no invoice to point to. The [Atlanta personal injury lawyers](https://www.vansantlaw.com/) at Van Sant Law know how to show what these losses actually mean for your day-to-day life, so the insurance companies can’t wave them off as minor. ## Punitive Damages May Be Awarded in Certain Cases Most accident claims are about paying you back for what you lost. Punitive damages are different. They exist to punish the drunk driver for the decision to get behind the wheel impaired and to send a message that impaired driving carries consequences. Georgia allows punitive damages in cases involving conduct that shows a reckless disregard for the safety of others, and drunk driving often fits that description. These damages aren’t automatic, and they aren’t available in every case. A lawyer at Van Sant Law can look at the facts of your crash and tell you honestly whether punitive damages are on the table. [Click to contact](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) our personal injury lawyers today ## How a Drunk Driving Claim Actually Works The claim process can feel like a maze when you’ve never been through it. Here’s the basic path in plain terms: - First, we investigate. That means gathering the police report, medical records, and vehicle damage reports, and often the results of the driver’s [blood alcohol content (BAC)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22689-blood-alcohol-content-bac) test. - Then, we deal with the insurance companies, who are rarely in a hurry to pay what a claim is worth. - If they won’t offer a fair number, we’re prepared to file a civil lawsuit and even take legal action in court if negotiations break down. Through all of it, Van Sant Law handles the back and forth so you can focus on healing instead of paperwork and phone calls. Complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) now ## Why the Drunk Driver’s Criminal Case Isn’t Enough A lot of people assume that if the drunk driver gets charged and convicted, their own losses are covered. They aren’t. The criminal case punishes the driver. It doesn’t put a dime in your pocket for your medical bills or lost wages. Recovering your losses takes a separate civil claim, and the two run on different tracks. A criminal conviction can help your civil case as evidence, but it doesn’t replace it. The team at Van Sant Law pursues the civil side, which is the one focused on getting you compensated for the long-term costs the crash left behind. ## Learn More About Damages Available After You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver You didn’t ask for any of this. Someone else made a choice, and now you’re the one counting medical bills and watching the missed paychecks add up. That’s a heavy spot to be in, and deciding whether to call a lawyer while you’re still hurting is its own kind of pressure. Our focus is holding the insurer accountable so you’re not left paying for someone else’s decision. Van Sant Law has served Georgia injury victims since 2008 and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars, backed by decades of combined experience. We work on a contingency fee, so there’s no cost up front and no fee unless we win. Call when you’re ready. We’ll listen, explain where you stand, and help you protect your rights. Make the Right Call today. 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/faqs/what-damages-can-i-recover-after-a-drunk-driving-accident/