How DUI Injury Claims Work When The Drunk Driver is a Minor

1. Intro

1.1. DUI Injury accidents sadly still happen in Georgia. Something no one wants.

1.2. Underage drinking continues to grow in popularity in Georgia. (see if there's any data - local or national)

1.3. Minors under the influence are responsible for many accidents. These come with serious legal questions

1.4. DUI accidents are expensive, and can come with many medical bills and expenses - someone has to pay

2. The Importance of Negligent Driving in These Types of Cases

2.1. Although the minor can get charged criminally, with personal injury cases, negligence still has to be determined.

2.2. It's possible for a person to drive drunk but not be responsible at all for a car accident

2.3. Georgia is a comparative negligence state (explain that), and a driver being impaired can add to their negligent contribution of an accident but may not make them entirely responsible.

2.4. Insurance companies determine who is entirely responsible for the accident, unless you hire a car accident lawyer

2.5. Alcohol Impairs Thinking, Impaired Thinking Results in Poor Driving Decisions, which would make a minor under the influence responsible.

3. The Trail of Negligence That Comes with Minors Driving Under the Influence

3.1. If responsible for the accident, the insurance company responsible for insuring the minor is going to have questions for their driver to see if liability can be placed elsewhere

3.2. The questions then becomes who served the alcohol and were they aware of the age, and knowledge that the minor would drive.

3.3. The case could potentially be against another party or insurance company.

4. If the Alcohol Was Served at a House Party....

4.1. Can a home owner, or other family be held liable for the accident?

4.2. Would the property insurance end up covering the cost of the accident?

4.3. What would make the home owners liable?

5. If the Alcohol Was Served at a Bar or Night Club....

5.1. Can the employees or owner be held liable for the accident?

5.2. Would the insurer of the business be held responsible for paying for the accident?

5.3. What would make these businesses liable?

6. If the Alcohol came from the minors home....

6.1. Can the parents be held liable for the accident?

6.2. What could make the parents responsible for the accident?

6.3. Would the property insurance company be held responsible for paying for the accident?

7. What is the Family Purpose Doctrine and How it Can Apply to a DUI Minor Accident Case

7.1. What exactly is the Family Purpose Doctrine?

7.2. If the parents are held liable - will the auto insurance company pay for the accident, or the property insurance, or from the parents assets?

8. Other Georgia Laws That Can Impact a DUI Minor Injjury Accident

8.1. O.C.G.A. § 51-1-18

8.2. Georgia's Dram Shop Statute

8.3. Alcohol level to be under the influence

8.4. What level of alcohol can make a teen or minor breaking the law while driving?

9. What Evidence is Used to Prove That Alcohol is Responsible for an Injury Accident? (Possibly move this section to an area that makes more sense)

9.1. Photographs

9.2. Police reports

9.3. Witness testimony

9.4. Can a criminal hearing/judgement be used?