Drivers who decide to get behind the wheel after drinking completely disregard the safety of others. When these drivers crash into innocent victims, they deserve to face the consequences of their actions.
If you were harmed by a drunk driver in Atlanta, Georgia, a car accident lawyer from Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys can fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (678) 661-5635 for your free case review.
How Common Are Drunk Driving Accidents in Atlanta?
| Metric / Trend | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 (Prelim.) | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crashes (Atlanta) | – | 28,278 | ~27,000 – 30,000 | Georgia DOT |
| Traffic Fatalities (Georgia statewide) | 1,797 | 1,674 | Not finalized | GOHS |
| % Change in Fatalities vs. Prior Year | – | ↓ ~7% | Too early to determine | |
| Atlanta DUI-Related Fatalities Estimate | Dozens | Dozens | Expected similar level | Based on trends; official counts pending final data release |
| National Traffic Fatality Trend | ~42,795 | ~42,514 est. | Holding steady or slight decline | NHTSA |
Drunk driving remains a serious problem on Atlanta’s roads, putting countless innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk every day. In 2023 alone, Atlanta saw over 28,000 motor vehicle crashes, and while not all involved alcohol, officials estimate that hundreds of these wrecks were caused by drivers under the influence. Sadly, dozens of lives are lost each year in the city due to alcohol-impaired driving, and many more victims suffer devastating injuries, medical bills, and lasting trauma. Early reports from 2024 indicate that crash numbers remain high, underscoring the ongoing threat that drunk drivers pose in Atlanta. These alarming statistics make it clear that drivers who choose to drink and drive not only break the law, they shatter lives. If a drunk driver in Atlanta has harmed you, you deserve to hold them accountable and pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Total motor vehicle crashes in Atlanta for 2023 and preliminary estimates for 2024. While 2023 saw 28,278 crashes, 2024 figures are projected between 27,000 and 30,000, pending final data release. Source: Georgia Department of Transportation Crash Data Portal
How an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Can Help After a Drunk Driving Accident
Our founding attorney, Stephen Hasner, has nearly 25 years of experience in personal injury law. Combined, our lawyers have more than 80 years of personal injury experience we leverage to fight for our clients. We have the skills and resources necessary to aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured by a drunk driver in Atlanta, GA, you can expect us to:
- Identify all parties who are responsible for your damages
- Collect strong evidence to prove fault
- Determine all possible avenues of financial recovery
- Identify the full extent of damages you suffered
- Negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf
- Recover the compensation you deserve
Contact our law office today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your drunk driving collision with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer.
Georgia’s Drunk Driving Laws
Under O.C.G.A. §40-6-391(a)(1), a person can be charged with the criminal offense of driving under the influence of alcohol if their consumption made it “less safe” for them to operate a motor vehicle.
Impairment is assumed when the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level is at certain points:
- 0.02% – Drivers under the age of 21
- 0.04% – Commercial motor drivers
- 0.08% – All other drivers
Drunk drivers face stiff penalties in Georgia.
What Are the Penalties for a DUI in Georgia?
Georgia’s impaired driving laws impose strict penalties, including:
- First offense – Criminal penalties include up to one year in jail, a fine of between $300 and $1,000, 40 hours of community service, and a license suspension of up to one year.
- Second offense within five years of the first offense – Criminal penalties include up to one year in jail and a mandatory minimum of two days in jail, a fine of between $600 and $1,000, a minimum of 30 days of community service, a mandatory clinical evaluation, and a license suspension of up to three years.
- Third offense within five years of the second offense – Criminal penalties include up to one year in jail and a mandatory minimum of 15 days in jail, a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000, a minimum of 30 days of community service, a mandatory clinical evaluation, and a license suspension of up to five years.
Additionally, the court can order a driver to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle for second and subsequent offenses. License plates are also seized if a driver is convicted of a second or subsequent DUI within five years.
Underage drivers who are convicted of impaired driving must delay obtaining their graduated license for one year.
What Are the Dangers of Drunk Driving?
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 353 people died in crashes that involved a driver with a BAC of 0.08% or higher in 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, nationwide, 29 people die every day in drunk driving crashes.
The CDC reports that at a BAC of 0.08% or higher, drivers can suffer the following effects:
- Impaired perception that makes it difficult to recognize hazards or how far away other drivers are
- Delayed reaction time
- Impaired hearing
- Impaired concentration
- Short-term memory loss
- Difficulty controlling speed
- Reduced information processing capability
- Impaired judgment and reasoning
- Impaired self-control
The higher the driver’s BAC, the more pronounced the effects of alcohol are on their driving capability.
What To Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Atlanta, GA
If you were involved in a drunk driving accident, consider taking the following steps to protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek prompt medical attention
- Cooperate with authorities
- Obtain a copy of your Georgia Highway Patrol report
- Keep all original medical records, receipts, invoices, and other documentation of the damages you have suffered as a result of the accident
- Provide your Atlanta personal injury lawyer with any photos or other evidence you have of the accident
Reach out to a caring Atlanta DUI accident lawyer for help with your case.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer at Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help
If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving crash, turn to the capable drunk driving accident attorneys at Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for help. Our lawyers will work tirelessly to help you hold the reckless drunk driver responsible for the harm they have caused you.
We will demand fair compensation for the lost wages, property damage, pain, and medical expenses you have incurred. Contact us today to get started with your free case review.
Drunk Driving Accident Resources
What You Need to Know About Georgia’s DUI Laws and Penalties
DUI Driver Hits Atlanta Firetruck on I-85; Firefighters Safe, Traffic Resumes Following Incident
Additional DUI Resources
Georgia Transportation Data Reference Guide
Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities in Georgia
Georgia Traffic Safety Facts2023, Preliminary Data
Areas We Serve in Atanta, GA
Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead ,Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West End, East Atlanta Village, Little Five Points, Grant Park, Atlantic Station, Cabbagetown, Edgewood, Ormewood Park, West Midtown (Home Park), Paces / West Paces Ferry – Northside, Vinings, Buckhead Forest, Peachtree Heights, Peachtree Hills, Peachtree Park, Garden Hills, Chastain Park, Argonne Forest, Arden-Habersham, Brandon, Cross Creek , Kingswood, North Buckhead, Randall Mill, Ridgedale , Tuxedo Park