Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Columbus, GA

Over 55 Years of Personal Injury Litigation. A $12.5 Million Drunk Driving Result.

Drunk driving crashes are preventable. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired and someone is hurt, victims have the right to pursue financial compensation through a civil claim, separate from whatever criminal DUI charges the driver may face. At Loftin, Loftin & May, LLC, we’ve represented personal injury clients in Columbus, Georgia, and the surrounding region for over 55 years, and we bring that depth of experience to every drunk driving case we handle.

Our firm obtained a $12,500,000 settlement on behalf of an individual killed in a drunk driving accident. We understand what’s at stake in these cases and what it takes to pursue compensation for victims and their families.

If you or a family member was injured by a drunk driver, contact us for a free consultation. Our Columbus drunk driving accident attorneys are ready to review your case at no cost. Call (334) 310-0208 today.

Why Columbus Clients Choose Loftin, Loftin & May, LLC

Litigation experience matters in high-stakes personal injury cases, and our firm has a long track record in the Columbus, GA area. We’ve spent over five decades navigating Muscogee County courts, and our familiarity with local judges lets us build strategies that account for how cases actually move through the local system.

Our attorneys, F. Patrick Loftin, Dana M. May, and Jorja B. Loftin, are admitted to both the State Bar of Georgia and the Alabama State Bar. Jorja B. Loftin has been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars and received NAOPIA’s Top 10 Under 40 Personal Injury Lawyer recognition for the State of Alabama (2022). The firm also holds NTL Top 40 Under 40 and NTL Top 100 recognitions and earned a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rating for Highest Level of Professional Excellence (2018).

We don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach. We take time to understand what a successful outcome looks like for each client, then build a legal strategy around that goal.

How We Build a Drunk Driving Accident Case

A strong civil claim depends on evidence gathered quickly and handled correctly. We work with clients through every stage of the process, from the initial investigation through settlement negotiations or trial.

Evidence we gather and preserve can include:

• Police reports and arrest records from the night of the crash
• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results from breath, blood, or urine testing
• Field sobriety test records and officer observations
• Dashcam footage, traffic cameras, and surveillance video
• Witness statements and accident scene photographs

Under Georgia law, a driver who causes a crash while violating a safety statute such as the DUI statute can be found negligent per se. This doctrine means negligence is presumed, and the case shifts its focus to the nature and extent of your damages. Even before a criminal conviction is entered, law enforcement evidence gathered at the scene can support a civil lawsuit. We monitor criminal proceedings and can subpoena records to support your claim.

Insurance companies often move quickly after a crash, seeking recorded statements or extending early settlement offers before the full picture of your injuries and losses is clear. Contact us before speaking with the other driver’s insurer.

Damages Available in Georgia Drunk Driving Cases

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391) sets legal intoxication at a BAC of .08% or higher for most drivers, .04% for commercial drivers, and .02% for drivers under 21. When a crash results from a driver operating above these thresholds, victims may pursue several categories of compensation.

Economic Damages
Medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and anticipated future care costs are all recoverable. These losses are quantifiable and form the foundation of most personal injury claims.

Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium are recoverable alongside economic losses. These damages reflect the real impact the crash has had on your life and relationships.

Punitive Damages
Georgia generally caps punitive damages at $250,000. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, that cap is completely removed when the crash is caused by a driver operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs other than lawfully prescribed drugs taken in accordance with a prescription, meaning a jury may award any amount. This isn’t guaranteed in every case, but it’s a significant legal mechanism available in DUI crashes that doesn’t exist in most other personal injury contexts.

When a drunk driving crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Georgia also follows a modified comparative fault rule: if you’re found to be less than 50% at fault, you may still recover compensation, though any recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Georgia Dram Shop Liability: When a Bar or Host Shares Responsibility

The drunk driver isn’t always the only party with legal exposure. Georgia’s Dram Shop Liability Act permits victims to seek compensation from a business or individual who unlawfully provided alcohol to the at-fault driver before the crash.

To establish dram shop liability, it must be shown that the establishment or host willfully, knowingly, and unlawfully served alcohol to someone who was noticeably intoxicated, or to a driver under age 21, and that the provider knew, or reasonably should have known, that person would soon be driving. Bars and restaurants often carry insurance policies with higher coverage limits than individual drivers, which makes dram shop claims a meaningful avenue for recovery when the at-fault driver is underinsured.

Filing Deadlines for Columbus, GA Drunk Driving Claims

Georgia gives personal injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline running from the date of death. Missing either deadline will typically bar recovery entirely.

When a government entity is involved, the deadline can be significantly shorter, sometimes as few as six months. The sooner you contact a Columbus drunk driving accident attorney, the easier it is to preserve critical evidence and ensure every applicable deadline is identified and met.

Free Consultations for Columbus Drunk Driving Accident Victims

You don’t have to navigate the legal system while recovering from a serious crash. Loftin, Loftin & May, LLC offers free initial consultations for personal injury cases, so you can get straightforward answers about your rights before making any decisions.

Call (334) 310-0208 or schedule your free consultation online with a drunk driving accident attorney in Columbus, GA.