What Happens If You’ve Caused Injuries While Driving Under The Influence
A DUI accident in Georgia resulting in injuries isn’t just another traffic violation or misdemeanor offense. Under Georgia law, it’s a criminal offense with significant potential consequences that can affect multiple areas of your life, from your freedom to your reputation. But a charge doesn’t mean the outcome is set in stone.
If you’ve found yourself in this complex legal situation, it’s important to know your rights, the potential penalties, and how an experienced DUI attorney in Savannah, GA could make a difference in your case.
What Are the Criminal Penalties for DUI Accidents in Georgia?
A DUI charge in Georgia is serious enough on its own, but when someone else is injured as a result, the consequences escalate quickly.
These types of charges often carry steep penalties given the significant risk of harm, and if convicted, you may face a combination of criminal and administrative consequences. Some of the penalties you might encounter include:
- Jail time: If convicted, you may be ordered to serve time behind bars. The severity of the injuries caused can make a big difference in sentencing. For example, DUI accidents involving minor injuries may carry lighter penalties, whereas catastrophic injury cases often result in prison sentences.
- Fines: Financial penalties for DUI-related injury charges in Georgia can cost you thousands of dollars. However, additional civil liabilities reaching into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars may apply in cases involving catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord damage or head trauma.
- License suspension or revocation: License suspension is common after DUI arrests, and cases involving injury may result in even longer periods of suspension. Losing your ability to drive can disrupt many aspects of life, from work to daily responsibilities.
- Felony charges: While some DUI charges are misdemeanors, DUI cases involving injuries can result in felony charges depending on the severity of the injuries and whether prior offenses exist. A felony conviction has long-term implications, including difficulty finding work or housing.
- Probation: As part of your sentence, you may be placed on probation, which often includes strict conditions. Violating these terms can lead to additional penalties.
Factors such as prior convictions, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the accident, and the circumstances of the incident all play a role in determining the penalties you might face.
For cases like these, Georgia courts tend to approach sentencing with a focus on public safety. This means the legal system often acts aggressively to deter similar incidents in the future. With so much at stake, it’s essential to have a strong approach to defending yourself and preserving your rights.
How Can a DUI Attorney Help?
Working with someone who understands DUI and criminal defense cases inside and out could make a significant difference in various ways. Here’s how having an experienced DUI offense lawyer could help mitigate consequences that affect your rights, freedoms, and future:
- Exploring your legal options: Many people assume their case is hopeless after a DUI arrest. However, every case has specific details, evidence, and potential defenses that could influence the outcome. An attorney may explain your options, from negotiating reduced charges to challenging aspects of the case, such as how evidence was obtained.
- Protecting your rights: Mistakes during the arrest process, improper evidence collection, or missteps in legal procedures can impact DUI cases. A focused defense provides an opportunity to ensure those factors are examined and that your rights are respected.
- Reducing the impact of penalties: Even if a conviction isn’t avoidable, an experienced attorney can help with strategies to reduce the severity of penalties. From arguing for alternative sentencing like treatment programs to negotiating plea deals, the goal is often to minimize the long-term impact on your life.
- Providing clarity during a stressful time: Legal processes can leave you feeling lost and unsure where to turn. Having someone who can break things down clearly and support your decisions can go a long way toward reducing confusion and helping you plan.
Being charged with a DUI-related injury accident is undoubtedly serious, but it isn’t the end of the road. Understanding your legal options and working with a professional ready to act in your defense helps shift the focus toward what matters most—your future.
DUI Accidents in Georgia FAQs
Is jail time mandatory for DUI cases involving injuries?
Not all DUI cases result in mandatory jail time, though it’s more common for cases involving injuries. The extent of the injuries, your past driving record, and other factors will impact sentencing.
Can I lose my license even if I haven’t been convicted yet?
After a DUI arrest in Georgia, your driving privileges can be suspended administratively, even before your case is resolved. This is tied to refusing or failing a required chemical test such as a breathalyzer.
What should I do if I’ve already been arrested for DUI?
It’s important to avoid making assumptions about your case and to preserve evidence immediately. Reaching out to a DUI attorney quickly can help you protect your rights and keep track of timelines for court appearances or license appeals.
Will this charge stay on my criminal record forever?
A DUI conviction likely will remain on your criminal record permanently. In most cases, Georgia law doesn’t allow DUI charges to be expunged or removed, underscoring the importance of addressing your case carefully from the start.
Can I negotiate the charges down even if the accident involved injuries?
Negotiating charges down depends on the facts of the case, including whether evidence is disputable, the impact of injuries, and the strength of the prosecution’s case. While no guarantees can be made, an attorney may advise on your chances.
Have You Caused a DUI Accident that Involved Injuries? Contact Atlantic Law Firm Today For Comprehensive and Compassionate Legal Support.
Being charged with causing injuries while driving under the influence is a life-changing moment, but it doesn’t have to define your future. Your decisions now could have a lasting impact on what comes next.
Evaluating your options, understanding the stakes, and taking timely action can make a significant difference. Whether protecting your ability to drive, reducing penalties, or contesting the charges entirely, a skilled defense lawyer in Georgia allows you to protect your rights and freedoms.
Are you ready to take the next steps toward protecting your future? Contact Atlantic Law Firm at (912) 209-9000 or online to learn more about your legal options.