The open road is as close as many people get to feeling true freedom. Unfortunately, many people in Georgia also never get closer to the risk of physical harm or even death than on the road. The speed and size of cars, trucks and other vehicles are always enough to cause trauma if something goes wrong.
Criminal charges in motor vehicle crashes are reserved for people who acted with malice, negligence or willful carelessness while causing the situation. One common reason for criminal charges after a car accident is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as they result in a state of mind that makes it impossible to drive responsibly.
A four-car accident in Eatonton resulted in several injuries and an elderly woman in critical condition. The accident occurred around twilight when a sport utility vehicle jumped the center line on the Georgia Route 24 Bypass in the city, sideswiping another large passenger vehicle and causing it to spin out into the other lane before being hit by a car. The SUV then hit another vehicle, which overturned on the highway’s side.
The driver of the SUV, a 21-year-old man from Decatur, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. He also faces charges of causing serious injury with a vehicle. After situations like these, civil charges may be filed by the victims of car accidents and their families if they require financial compensation to recover or help with their medical expenses.
An attorney can help victims of car accidents work out their options for claiming damages. Negotiation, mediation and jury verdicts are all possibilities under Georgia law.