This Sunday, our Atlanta Falcons will take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. In the 51 seasons the Falcons have been in existence, this will only be the second time that they have appeared in the Super Bowl, with their 1996 appearance against the Denver Broncos ending in a 34-19 loss.
In light of this history, you can be certain that a significant number of people in the Atlanta area will be attending parties and going to bars and restaurants this Sunday to watch the big game. Furthermore, perhaps more than any other sporting event, Super Bowl Sunday is strongly associated with party food and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In fact, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has taken the step of signing an executive order allowing bars to stay open until 2:30 a.m. this Sunday, an action which is in stark contrast to the way that other cities handle Super Bowl appearances for their teams.
All of the factors combine to result in a situation where there almost certainly be more drunk drivers on the road than usual this Sunday. Law enforcement authorities shares this view, with Live5news.com quoting the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety being as saying “You will see our presence and you can expect that you might come upon a sobriety checkpoint.”
Drunk Drivers Can Usually be Held Liable after an Accident
Drunk drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in a serious accidents and put everyone on the road at risk, including motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Fortunately for victims, Georgia law entitles people who are injured by the negligence of others to recover for their losses. Additionally, under a legal doctrine known as “negligence per se,” the fact that a driver was drunk at the time of an accident is likely sufficient to establish liability, which means that victims do not need to show any other facts in order to recover compensation for their losses.
Some of the losses that are commonly recovered by victims after a DUI accident include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Property damage
As a victim, it is important to keep in mind that the assistance of a lawyer can help you even if your case is not going to court. An attorney will represent you in settlement negotiations with the insurance company and make sure that you get the compensation to which you are legally entitled.
Contact Slappey & Sadd, LLC Today to Speak with an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney
Drunk drivers should be held liable for the injuries and damage they inflict upon others. At Slappey & Sadd, our Atlanta car accident lawyers are committed to helping people injured by the negligence and recklessness of others. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 404-255-6677 or contact us online.