DUI Accident Lawyer Duluth, GA
If you were hit by a drunk driver in Duluth, Georgia, the physical and financial consequences can be severe. Serious injuries, hospitalization, lost income, and the confusion of dealing with an insurance company that is looking to minimize what it pays you is overwhelming even when you’re not hurt. We know the added layers that a DUI traffic collision has, and what makes them often more complicated to litigate than “regular” accidents. Georgia law specifically addresses the conduct of impaired drivers in the civil context, and it creates real avenues for meaningful recovery that victims do not always know exist.
Our Duluth, GA DUI accident lawyer represents people who have been injured by impaired drivers throughout Gwinnett County. Founded in 1996 and backed by 66 years of combined attorney experience, our firm has spent nearly three decades pursuing compensation for injured Georgians. If you were hurt in a drunk driving collision, contact us to discuss your case at no cost.
Why Choose Burrow & Associates for DUI Accident Cases in Duluth, GA?
Local Knowledge of Gwinnett County Courts and Georgia Civil Law
A civil claim against a drunk driver in Georgia operates on a different legal track than the criminal prosecution of that driver. The criminal case is the state’s concern. Your civil claim is yours alone, and it requires its own investigation, evidence gathering, and strategy. Our attorneys have handled personal injury cases in Duluth, GA and throughout Gwinnett County for years. We understand how these cases proceed in local courts, how Georgia’s negligence per se doctrine applies to DUI accidents, and how to hold both the driver and, in some cases, third parties accountable for what happened to you.
Michael F. Burrow has been with Burrow & Associates since 2007. He earned his Juris Doctorate cum laude from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Burrow spent 14 years conducting biomedical research on federally funded programs in collaboration with Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia, and served as Vice President of Operations for DocuSys, Inc., a medical technology company. That analytical background shapes how he approaches complex injury cases, including those where liability extends beyond the at-fault driver to insurers or third-party alcohol providers.
A Proven Record of Results for Injured Clients
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across Georgia, including a $1,000,000 result in an insurance bad faith case, $885,000 in a wrongful death matter, and $560,000 in an auto accident case. When insurance carriers act in bad faith or attempt to underpay a legitimate claim, we know how to respond. We also understand that a personal injury settlement must account for the full scope of a client’s losses, not only the bills that have already arrived.
No Upfront Fees. No Costs Unless We Win.
DUI accident cases at Burrow & Associates are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no retainer fees and no legal costs of any kind unless we secure a recovery for you. While you are focused on treatment and recovery, we handle the legal work.
Recognized in the Georgia Legal Community
Burrow & Associates is listed on Martindale-Hubbell and recognized through Super Lawyers, and maintains involvement consistent with the standards of the National Trial Lawyers. The firm’s nearly three decades of practice have established it as a recognized personal injury practice throughout the Atlanta metro area.
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“The attorneys at Burrow and associates were compassionate, effective, and a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend their services. They took great care of me after my car accident.” — Jack Methe
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Types of DUI Accident Cases We Handle in Duluth
DUI accident claims in Georgia are not all the same. Who is liable, what insurance applies, and how the facts of the crash affect the claim varies from case to case. We handle the full range.
- Drunk driver collisions. When an impaired driver causes a crash, their auto liability insurance is the first avenue for recovery. Under Georgia’s negligence per se doctrine, a driver cited for DUI is automatically considered negligent in the civil case. We build the claim to pursue full compensation for your injuries.
- Wrongful death. When a family member is killed by a drunk driver, the surviving family may pursue both survival damages and wrongful death damages under Georgia law. These are among the most serious cases we handle, and we approach them accordingly.
- Dram shop and third-party liability. If the at-fault driver was overserved at a bar, restaurant, or by a private host before the crash, Georgia’s Dram Shop Act may allow your claim to extend beyond the driver. We investigate the full circumstances to identify every responsible party.
- Catastrophic injuries. Drunk driving accidents frequently result in severe harm, including spinal cord injuries, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. These cases require a careful and thorough approach to calculating long-term damages.
- Hit-and-run accidents. When an impaired driver flees the scene, uninsured motorist coverage under your own policy may provide a path to recovery. We identify every available source of compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be immediately located.
- Multi-vehicle DUI crashes. Some drunk driving accidents involve more than two vehicles or multiple injured parties. We handle the liability analysis and insurance coordination in complex, multi-party situations.
Georgia Legal Requirements for DUI Accident Cases
Understanding how Georgia law applies to your civil claim after a drunk driving crash is essential, particularly before you speak with any insurance adjuster.
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391, it is illegal in Georgia to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and older, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. When a driver violates this statute and causes a crash, Georgia’s negligence per se doctrine applies. In plain terms, the violation of the DUI law is treated as automatic negligence in the civil case. You do not need to prove the driver was careless in the ordinary sense. You need to demonstrate that the violation caused your injuries and establish the extent of your damages.
Georgia also has a Dram Shop Act under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-40, which can extend liability to a bar, restaurant, or social host who knowingly served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or an underage drinker who they knew would be driving. This is a separate and concurrent claim from the one against the driver, and it can be critically important when the driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient to compensate you fully. Understanding blood alcohol concentration and how it is established in a civil case matters here, because the evidence from the criminal investigation, including breathalyzer results and police reports, can be used directly in your civil claim.
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-11-7 applies to drunk driving civil cases as it does to all personal injury claims. Your recovery is reduced in proportion to your own share of fault and barred entirely if you are found 50% or more responsible. Insurance carriers sometimes argue that a victim bears partial fault to reduce their exposure.
The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. However, in DUI cases, that period may be tolled while criminal prosecution of the driver is pending, for up to six years. Do not assume you have extra time. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible. For reference on Georgia’s official traffic safety laws, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety maintains a comprehensive guide to the relevant DUI statutes.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Duluth DUI Accident?
Georgia law permits victims of drunk driving accidents to pursue several categories of compensation, and in these cases the available recovery can be broader than in a standard negligence claim.
Economic damages cover the verifiable financial losses caused by your injuries. Current and future medical expenses are recoverable in full, including emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment. Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity are compensable if your injuries have affected your ability to work. Out-of-pocket expenses tied directly to your accident and recovery round out this category. In serious cases involving permanent disability or disfigurement, future economic losses can be substantial.
Non-economic damages address the losses that do not appear on a bill but are very real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the lasting psychological impact of a traumatic accident are all recognized under Georgia law. There is no statutory cap on non-economic damages in Georgia personal injury cases, which is significant.
Punitive damages are frequently available in drunk driving cases. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, punitive damages are intended to punish conduct that is reckless, willful, or wanton. Courts have held that driving while intoxicated satisfies that standard. Georgia law also permits the jury to consider a driver’s prior DUI history when deciding whether and how much to award in punitive damages, which can significantly increase the value of a case.
Contact Burrow & Associates
If you or a member of your family were injured by a drunk driver in Duluth or anywhere in Gwinnett County, Burrow & Associates is prepared to evaluate your case. There are no upfront fees and no costs of any kind unless we recover compensation for you. Consultations are free, and we make every effort to respond the same day.
Contact us to speak with our Duluth DUI accident attorney about your claim.
