Attorney Ned Ogueri
Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
After a crash involving suspected impaired driving, you may hear from police, prosecutors, and insurance companies at different times. Zeribe Law Offices can review the injury side of the matter and explain how the available evidence relates to a possible civil claim.
Criminal and civil cases serve different purposes
A DUI investigation addresses possible criminal conduct. A civil injury claim considers responsibility for the crash and the losses it caused. An arrest, charge, or test result may become relevant evidence. It does not establish the full value of a claim or replace proof of injury and loss. Keep the name of the investigating agency and note whether a criminal case number has been issued.
Bring both crash and injury records
Useful records may include the crash report, witness contacts, photographs, treatment documents, and any offer or release from an insurer. Keep a record of missed work and changes in what you can do at home. If you receive notice of a criminal court date or a request to sign a release, bring it to your consultation so we can review what it means for the civil matter.
Injury claims involving suspected impairment
Atlanta and Norcross crash reports may identify different investigating agencies depending on the location and circumstances. Start with the exact address or highway segment, time, crash report number, and the department that responded. If you received a separate reference for a criminal investigation, keep it alongside the crash file. The same event can produce multiple records, and the two reference numbers may lead to different offices. Give us both if available so we can distinguish what was reported about the collision from what was investigated afterward.
Evidence beyond the allegation of intoxication
A civil claim requires evidence about how the crash happened and the injuries that followed. A witness may describe a driver crossing a centerline, missing a signal, or striking a stopped vehicle. Those observations can be useful even if the witness never interacted with the driver. Preserve crash diagrams, photographs, witness contacts, and any available video. Keep a separate note of what the officer actually told you and what another person later speculated. Whether impairment can be shown and how it bears on responsibility depend on the evidence.
Police records and court developments
A crash report may be available before other records from an investigation. Keep the original report and supplements, and note the agency or court that provided them. If you receive notices from a prosecutor or victim-services office, retain the dates and any instructions. A criminal proceeding may progress on a different schedule from an insurance claim. Before waiting for a hearing or disposition, discuss whether any separate civil or insurance requirements need attention. A criminal outcome does not by itself decide the full civil claim.
Multiple passengers and insurance communications
A collision can involve several injured people, including passengers in the same vehicle. Insurers may request statements or authorizations at different times. Keep each communication in the affected person’s file and identify the company and claim number. If an insurer mentions policy limits or asks you to share information from another person’s claim, bring the written request for review. The number of people involved, the policies available, and the facts of the crash can all affect how a claim is evaluated.
Preserve the course of recovery
Initial treatment records help show the immediate injuries. Follow-up appointments, work restrictions, and rehabilitation notes can show what changed after the first visit. Record significant events such as a return to modified duties or a referral for additional care. Keep bills and insurance statements so different amounts can be understood in context. Family members may also help with transportation or household tasks during recovery. Record the practical changes, who provided assistance, and when it was needed without assuming that every effect can be valued the same way.
Written offers and releases
An insurer may discuss an offer while other parts of the case remain unresolved. Ask for the full terms in writing and preserve every page of any release you receive. Identify which parties and claims the document says it covers. Let us know if another policy, reimbursement claim, or future treatment issue has been raised. A proposed payment and the legal consequences of accepting it are separate matters to review. If a deadline accompanies the offer, give us the actual notice so we can discuss the timing.
Supporting a family after a fatal collision
A fatal crash can leave family members sorting through law enforcement notices, funeral arrangements, and competing requests for documents. Bring the available crash and court references and identify the family relationships and any estate paperwork already in place. The circumstances determine who may be able to act and what records they can obtain. Counsel can explain how potential wrongful death or estate issues relate to the collision. Keep a record of whom each insurer contacted and preserve the complete wording of any offer.
Early decisions about vehicle and insurance records
A vehicle may be towed, inspected, repaired, or declared a total loss while the investigation is still underway. Keep the towing and storage information, photographs, inspection notices, and estimates you already received. A vehicle’s condition and position may be relevant to understanding the impact independently of any impairment allegation. Keep the communications from your own insurer as well as those from other companies. If an adjuster asks for a recorded statement, a medical release, or permission to dispose of the vehicle, preserve the wording of the request. Tell counsel what steps have already been taken and which deadlines the company mentioned. This allows the consultation to address the immediate decisions alongside the larger claim.
Talk with Zeribe Law Offices
Call (770) 840-9098 to speak with Attorney Ned Ogueri. Our Norcross office serves clients in metro Atlanta and across Georgia.
Related information: Car Accidents.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Results may vary depending on the specific facts and circumstances of your case. Zeribe Law Offices handles these cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe no court costs or other case expenses. If we recover compensation, the written fee agreement explains how costs and expenses are handled.