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Largest Trucking
Verdict In U.S. History

At Butler Prather LLP, our Georgia trucking accident attorneys hold trucking companies accountable when their carelessness results in catastrophic and fatal collisions.

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Atlanta DUI Truck Accident Attorney

Driving under the influence is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous for any drivers, but the danger increases tremendously when truck drivers use drugs or alcohol behind the wheel. DUI accidents are more likely to cause property damage, severe injuries, and death. Truck drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely while following all applicable industry regulations and laws regarding rest, hours of service, and proper conduct behind the wheel.

When truck drivers drive their vehicles under the influence, they risk extreme and even fatal harm to other drivers. They will more than likely incur criminal charges in addition to facing civil actions from injured victims.

Georgia DUI Penalties

The team at Butler Prather LLP believes in holding irresponsible drivers accountable for the damages and injuries they cause. Truck drivers who engage in DUI in the state of Georgia face the state’s punishments:

  • Fines. A DUI conviction will entail fines that increase with each subsequent conviction, from up to $1,000 for a first offense to as much as $5,000 for a third or fourth conviction.
  • Jail time. Any DUI conviction – even a first offense – can incur a jail sentence of up to one year. For third or fourth convictions, convicted individuals can face up to five years in state prison.
  • License suspension or revocation. A first-time DUI conviction can incur a license suspension for up to one year. Subsequent convictions can increase the suspension period up to five years, or a judge may decide permanent revocation is the only means of deterring an individual from driving under the influence in the future. In some cases, convicted individuals can apply for hardship reinstatement after a set period.
  • Community service. Georgia state law stipulates that first, second, and third DUI convictions entail 40 hours of community service.
  • Probation. After receiving a DUI conviction, the convicted individual may be on probation for an extended time, and any violation of the terms of probation could land the individual in jail.
  • Substance abuse education. If a judge suspects that a convicted individual may benefit from substance abuse treatment, he or she may sentence the convicted individual to attend DUI education courses or enter a substance abuse treatment center.

Police officers will pull over suspected drunk drivers and administer a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test to determine whether or not the suspect is under the influence of alcohol. While the legal limit for blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% for most drivers, for commercial drivers the limit is only .04%. Additionally, having a BAC reading over .15% increases the aforementioned penalties for a DUI conviction, even a first offense.

Building a Case

If you or a loved one suffered injuries or other damages due to a DUI trucking accident in Atlanta or anywhere else in Georgia, it’s crucial to know where to turn for help and what options you have available for recovering compensation. Truck accidents are dangerous and often leave severe or fatal wounds on those involved.

The right Georgia truck accident attorney can help injured plaintiffs recover compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damages, and lost income. Additionally, some judges may feel inclined to award punitive damages for grossly negligent behavior. As the name implies, punitive damages exist to punish individuals who commit dangerous or negligent acts and to deter them or others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.

The team of Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Butler Prather LLP understands the complexities involved in representing victims of DUI truck accidents, so reach out to our team if you’d like to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. We’ll examine the details of your situation and let you know what kind of compensation you might expect from a lawsuit.