The average hit by drunk driver settlement in Georgia ranges from $25,000 to $3,500,000, depending on the severity of injuries and circumstances involved. Getting hit by a drunk driver can result in significantly higher compensation than typical car accidents due to the reckless nature of impaired driving.
Several key factors influence these settlement amounts:
- Severity of injuries sustained
- Insurance coverage available
- Degree of fault and liability
- Medical expenses and ongoing treatment needs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering endured
Being hit by a drunk driver creates both physical trauma and financial hardship that no victim should face alone. The accident in Georgia leaves you dealing with mounting medical bills, lost income, and insurance companies that may try to minimize your claim. Without proper legal representation, you risk accepting far less than the fair settlement you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Our experienced team at Brauns Law has secured substantial settlements for clients, including:
- $3,500,000: Woman rear-ended by ambulance driver who wasn’t paying attention, requiring neck surgery and losing her pharmacy technician job
- $1,025,000: Hit-and-run settlement providing justice and financial stability for a widow after tragic loss
- $650,000: Combined settlement for mother and daughter hit head-on when opposing vehicle crossed median
Our Duluth car accident attorney provides personalized representation to help you secure maximum compensation for your drunk driving injuries.
We also offer a car accident settlement calculator to help estimate your potential compensation. This tool considers injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and other factors specific to drunk driving accident settlement cases in Georgia.
Disclaimer: The results generated by this car accident settlement calculator are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or professional evaluation.
Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Our experienced team is available today for a free consultation to discuss your drunk driving accident case and potential compensation.
I Got Hit by a Drunk Driver, What Am I Entitled to?
When you’re hit by a drunk driver in Georgia, you’re entitled to comprehensive compensation including economic damages for measurable losses, non-economic damages for pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages to punish the intoxicated driver’s reckless behavior.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages cover all quantifiable financial losses resulting from your drunk driving accident in Georgia. These damages aim to restore your financial position to what it would have been without the collision.
💡 Economic damages in drunk driving cases often exceed those in regular accidents due to the severity of injuries typically sustained when drunk drivers operate vehicles recklessly.
Typical economic damages include:
- Medical expenses (emergency room, surgery, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Transportation costs for medical appointments
- Home modifications for disability accommodations
- Future medical care and treatment costs
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses that don’t have a specific dollar value but significantly impact your quality of life. The trauma of being involved in a drunk driving accident often results in substantial non-economic damages.
Accident involving a drunk driver cases frequently warrant higher non-economic damage awards due to the preventable nature of impaired driving incidents.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life activities
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for spouses
- Mental anguish and PTSD
3. Punitive Damages for a DUI
Punitive damages punish the at-fault drunk driver for their reckless behavior and deter future drunk driving incidents. Georgia courts may award punitive damages when the defendant’s conduct shows willful misconduct or conscious indifference to safety.
Punitive damages are specifically designed to hold drunk drivers accountable for choosing to drive under the influence and endangering innocent lives on Georgia roadways.
Factors supporting punitive damages include:
- Blood alcohol content above legal limit
- Previous DUI convictions
- Excessive speeding while intoxicated
- Fleeing the accident scene
- Driving with suspended license due to prior DUI
Drunk Driver Settlement Amounts by Type
Settlement amounts for accidents involving drunk drivers vary significantly based on collision type, injury severity, and available insurance coverage. The following ranges reflect typical settlements for drunk driving accidents in Georgia across different accident scenarios.
| Accident Type | Settlement Range | Common Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-End Collision | $5,000 to $3.5 million | Whiplash, back injuries, herniated discs |
| Head-On Collision | $75,000 to $650,000 | Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, wrongful death |
| Side-Impact/T-Bone | $50,000 – $1,000,000 | Broken bones, internal injuries, organ damage |
| Pedestrian Strike | $10,000 to $500,000 | Multiple fractures, severe trauma, fatalities |
Rear-Ended by Drunk Driver Settlement
The average rear-ended by drunk driver settlement amount in Georgia ranges from $5,000 to $3.5 million, though settlement amounts can vary widely based on injury severity and long-term medical needs. Rear-end collisions caused by drunk drivers often result in significant compensation due to the impaired driver’s inability to brake or react appropriately.
These accidents frequently cause lasting spinal injuries that require ongoing treatment and rehabilitation, substantially increasing the potential settlement amount beyond initial medical expenses.
Head-On Collision
The average head-on collision settlement amount is between $75,000 and $650,000, representing some of the most catastrophic drunk driving accidents on Georgia roads. When drunk driver hits another vehicle head-on, the combined impact speeds often result in life-threatening injuries or fatalities.
Head-on collisions caused by drunk drivers often occur when impaired drivers cross centerlines or drive the wrong way, creating devastating accidents with severe injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
T-Bone Accident Caused by Drunk Driver
T-bone or side-impact accidents caused by drunk drivers typically result in settlements ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000. The force of impact against the side of a vehicle leaves occupants vulnerable to serious injuries due to the lack of structural protection.
Injuries from T-bone crashes may include internal bleeding, fractured ribs, pelvic trauma, and organ damage, especially if the struck vehicle was hit at high speed. Compensation reflects the severity and long-term impact of such injuries.
Pedestrian Hit by Drunk Driver Settlement
Settlements for pedestrians struck by drunk drivers in Georgia generally range from $10,000 to $500,000, though catastrophic cases may exceed this. Pedestrians are completely unprotected in these collisions, making the injuries especially severe.
Common outcomes include compound fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and fatalities. Courts and insurance companies often view these cases seriously, particularly when driver impairment is involved, leading to higher compensation for victims or their families.
Contact our experienced legal team online to discuss your specific drunk driving accident settlement and learn how we will help maximize your compensation.
Factors That Influence Settlement Amounts in Georgia
Multiple factors determine the final settlement amount in drunk driving accident case situations, with some elements carrying more weight than others in negotiations. Knowing these factors helps victims and their families prepare realistic expectations for their accident case compensation.
Severity of Injuries
Injury severity directly correlates with settlement value in drunk driving cases, as more serious injuries require extensive medical treatment and longer recovery periods. Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and permanent disabilities typically result in settlements exceeding $500,000.
Comprehensive medical documentation from specialists strengthens your case and helps justify higher settlement demands based on long-term treatment needs and quality of life impacts.
Liability and Fault Determination
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning your settlement may be reduced if you share fault for the accident. However, drunk driving accident victims rarely bear significant responsibility when an intoxicated driver causes the collision.
Clear liability against the at-fault driver strengthens your position in settlement negotiations and may influence the settlement amount by eliminating disputes about responsibility for the crash.
Insurance Coverage Available
The drunk driver’s insurance coverage limits significantly influence the settlement amount available for compensation. Georgia’s minimum liability coverage often proves insufficient for serious drunk driving accident claim situations.
⚖️ When settlement amounts exceed the drunk driver’s policy limits, additional coverage sources like underinsured motorist protection become essential for securing full compensation.
Location of the Accident
Georgia car accident settlements can vary by county and jurisdiction, with urban areas like Atlanta typically seeing higher settlement amounts than rural regions. Local jury verdicts and case precedents also influence the settlement negotiations in your specific area.
Criminal Charges and Convictions
When the at-fault drunk driver faces criminal DUI charges, a conviction strengthens your civil case and may increase settlement leverage. Criminal convictions provide strong evidence of negligence and liability in drunk driving accident case situations.
Additional reading: personal injury settlement amounts examples
Who Can You Sue After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver?
Multiple parties may bear financial responsibility for your injuries when you’re involved in a drunk driving accident, expanding your options for securing full compensation beyond the impaired driver’s insurance limits.
- The Drunk Driver: Primary liability rests with the intoxicated driver who chose to operate a vehicle while impaired, violating Georgia law and endangering other motorists.
- Bars or Restaurants (Dram Shop Liability): Establishments that served alcohol to the drunk driver when visibly intoxicated may face liability under Georgia’s dram shop laws for continuing to serve alcohol.
- Social Hosts: Private individuals who provided alcohol at parties or gatherings may bear responsibility if they served alcohol to someone they knew was intoxicated and would be driving.
- Employers: When the driver was on the job or driving a company vehicle, the employer may face vicarious liability for the employee’s actions during work hours.
- Vehicle Owners: If the driver was driving someone else’s vehicle with permission, the vehicle owner’s insurance may provide additional coverage for your damages.
Minimum GA Insurance Coverage
Georgia requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage to legally operate vehicles on state roadways. The current minimum requirements include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
According to the Georgia Department of Revenue, these minimum coverage amounts often prove inadequate for serious drunk driving accident settlement cases involving significant injuries or property damage.
💡 Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage becomes critical when the at-fault drunk driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages, providing additional protection for drunk driving accident victims.
This optional coverage pays for your injuries when the drunk driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage limits, ensuring you receive compensation even when the responsible party cannot pay adequate damages.
Should You Accept the First Settlement Offer?
Accepting a first settlement offer is binding and prevents you from seeking additional compensation later, even if you discover more serious injuries or higher medical costs than initially anticipated.
Insurance companies typically make lowball initial offers hoping drunk driving accident victims will accept quick settlements without knowing the full extent of their damages. These early offers rarely account for future medical needs, ongoing rehabilitation costs, or long-term impacts on earning capacity and quality of life.
Our personal injury attorney will evaluate whether the settlement offer fairly compensates for all your damages, including future medical expenses and lost income potential. Our legal team reviews medical records, consults with medical experts, and calculates total lifetime costs before advising clients on settlement decisions.
Steps to Take After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
Taking proper steps after your drunk driving accident in Georgia protects your legal rights and helps maximize the settlement value of your case through proper documentation and evidence preservation.
- Seek immediate medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as some drunk driving accident injuries don’t manifest symptoms immediately
- Document the accident scene with photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries before vehicles are moved
- Obtain police reports and ensure officers document signs of driver impairment, including field sobriety test results and breathalyzer readings
- Contact our legal team for guidance specific to drunk driving cases and protection of your rights during insurance negotiations
- Preserve all medical records and documentation related to your treatment, as comprehensive medical evidence strengthens your accident settlement in Georgia
- Avoid discussing fault with insurance adjusters or signing documents without legal representation, as these statements can impact your final settlement
- Track all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and transportation costs for treatment appointments
Hypothetical Scenario for a DUI Case
A victim was stopped at a red light when an intoxicated driver rear-ended their vehicle at 45 mph, having consumed alcohol at a local bar where staff continued serving despite visible intoxication. The impact caused herniated discs requiring surgery, three months of lost work, and ongoing physical therapy needs.
The victim used a settlement calculator estimating $75,000 compensation, but their personal injury attorney identified additional factors including the bar’s dram shop liability and the driver’s previous DUI conviction. Through thorough investigation and expert medical testimony, the attorney negotiated a $285,000 settlement covering all current and future damages.
This case demonstrates how legal representation can secure a fair settlement significantly exceeding initial estimates by identifying all liable parties and accurately calculating long-term damages in drunk driving accident claim situations.
Need Legal Help to Pursue a DUI Settlement in Georgia?
Dealing with the drunk driver’s insurance company while recovering from serious injuries creates additional stress during an already difficult time. Our experienced team understands the complexities of drunk driving cases and fights to ensure victims of drunk driving accidents receive full compensation for their injuries and losses.
We handle all aspects of your case while you focus on healing, from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to filing lawsuits when settlement cannot be reached through negotiations.
Contact us online or call at (678) 329-9169 for your free consultation to discuss your drunk driving accident case and learn how we will help secure the compensation you deserve.
FAQs
What if the drunk driver doesn’t have enough insurance?
When you exceed the drunk driver’s insurance limits, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can provide additional compensation, or you may pursue other liable parties like bars that over-served alcohol.
How long do I have to file a drunk driver lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law requires filing personal injury lawsuits within two years of the accident date, though it’s essential to begin the legal process immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Will my settlement be reduced if I was partially at fault?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule where your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault, but drunk driving accident victims rarely bear significant responsibility for these preventable crashes.
Can I still sue if the drunk driver wasn’t charged with a DUI?
Yes. Even if the at-fault driver wasn’t criminally charged or convicted of DUI, you can still pursue a civil personal injury claim. Civil liability requires a lower burden of proof, and strong evidence of impairment—such as witness statements, erratic driving, or open container evidence—can support your case.
What if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car?
You may still be entitled to compensation. Injured passengers can file claims against the at-fault drunk driver’s insurance, even if they were in the same vehicle. However, Georgia’s comparative fault laws may reduce your compensation if you knowingly got into a car with an intoxicated driver.
