In Atlanta, traffic congestion can lead to serious accidents. This is because there are more cars on the road, presenting more opportunities for collisions.
Most traffic violations are misdemeanors, and if you are convicted, punishment can include fines, community service and probation. Felonies, however, carry a much more significant penalty of jail time. Learn more about traffic-related cases in Atlanta.
Hit-and-Run
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense. The law requires drivers to stop and exchange information and render aid to anyone injured in the crash. Drivers who fail to comply with the law can face felony charges, resulting in imprisonment of up to five years.
A knowledgeable Atlanta hit-and-run lawyer could help you avoid jail time and license suspension if charged with this crime. An experienced traffic defense attorney could also review your case and work to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed.
Even if police are unable to identify the driver, a knowledgeable Atlanta hit-and-run accident attorney could file a civil lawsuit against him or her to hold them accountable for your injuries and losses. This can include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, and other related damages. The at-fault driver may also be held liable for punitive damages. Often, this can be accomplished through the driver’s insurance company.
Speeding
Drivers are obligated to obey the road’s posted speed limit at all times. When they do not, they may be issued a traffic ticket. Speeding-related crashes account for a significant percentage of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Georgia. In 2021 alone, speeding was a factor in 29% of all fatal crashes.
When a driver receives a traffic ticket, he or she often chooses to pay the fine and move on. However, doing so is a mistake. A conviction of a speeding offense will result in points on the driver’s record and could significantly increase automobile insurance premiums.
An experienced Atlanta traffic lawyer can help a client fight a speeding ticket. Depending on the circumstances, he or she may be able to get the case dismissed. An attorney can also work to have the charge reduced to a non-reporting violation such as a city ordinance or county ordinance. This will avoid the issuance of points to the driver’s record in the state where he or she is licensed.
Drunk Driving
A traffic accident involving a drunk driver is a horrific experience. The resulting injuries can be life-changing and a victim may need extensive medical treatment. This can put a lot of stress on a family, and bill collectors may begin to call.
A DUI conviction can have a significant impact on a person’s life. It can result in years in jail, thousands of dollars in fines, and a lengthy driver’s license suspension. A knowledgeable and tenacious Atlanta DUI lawyer can help.
In Georgia, if the at-fault driver pays a traffic ticket or mails it in to the court prior to a hearing, this is deemed an admission of guilt. This can be helpful evidence in a personal injury car accident case where the injured party is seeking compensation for damages. These damages may include loss of income, medical expenses, property damage and emotional trauma. In some cases, victims may seek punitive damages as a means of punishing the driver and deterring them from driving under the influence in the future.
Driver’s License Suspension
Throughout the country, people who cannot afford to pay their fines and fees for traffic offenses experience disproportionate punishments, including driver’s license suspension. These suspensions violate the principles of due process and equal protection of the law.
Most moving violations are misdemeanors, which can result in a fine and/or jail time, depending on the judge’s discretion. Felonies are much more serious, and the maximum penalty for these types of crimes includes a prison sentence of up to one year, substantial fines, community service, and/or other penalties that may be deemed appropriate by the sentencing judge.
If you are dealing with a traffic ticket case in Atlanta, you should contact a lawyer familiar with city traffic court and the judges, and who has experience handling these cases. A qualified attorney could help you resolve your case, possibly with no points added to your record and no impact on your insurance. Call to set up a consultation today.