Augusta is home for us. As a local, client-centered firm, we advocate for our Aiken-Augusta neighbors until they receive fair compensation for their damages—and we’ll do the same for you.
Contact M. Austin Jackson for a free consultation and let our team guide you through this challenging time.
Reach out for a free consultation today. Fill out the form, or call 706-981-9286 to share your story and explore your legal options.
If your life has been turned upside down by an accident with a drunk driver in Georgia or South Carolina, M. Austin Jackson is here to support you.
As you navigate your recovery, our experienced drunk driving accident lawyers can take the weight of managing a legal claim off your shoulders. Our professional team pursues justice for drunk driving accident victims throughout Augusta—and we do it with care and compassion for victims and their families.
As your trusted advocate, we’ll guide you through the legal process so you feel heard and empowered during this tough time. M. Austin Jackson is on your side from beginning to end, helping you and your loved ones receive fair compensation.
Reach out and schedule a free consultation today.
We understand the challenges our clients are facing, and we know how to secure results on their behalf.
We charge our clients nothing until we secure them a financial recovery.
Not only is our practice based in Augusta, GA, but so are we. We live right where our clients are.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident, reach out to us today for a free consultation.
Drunk drivers who cause accidents aren’t always held accountable. Even a drunk driving conviction in Augusta doesn’t guarantee a drunk motorist will be held liable for the vehicle damages, medical costs, and pain and suffering they’ve caused.
Georgia and South Carolina are both at-fault states for motor vehicle accidents. If a drunk driver caused your accident, you have the right to file a civil claim and use it to pursue fair compensation following your accident. You may also be able to hold others accountable for your damages.
Contacting a skilled Augusta car accident lawyer is an important first step. You’ll want to be thorough in what you cite in your personal injury claim. As your attorney, M. Austin Jackson will help you determine what you can request in damages, which may include compensation for:
While a successful claim can’t undo the damages of your accident, it can help make the road to recovery much smoother—for you and your loved ones.
In Augusta and the surrounding areas, several factors determine whether you have a valid drunk driving accident claim.
As outlined in Georgia Code § 51-1-40, liquor retailers and social hosts are legally responsible for injuries caused by intoxicated individuals. Georgia’s Dram Shop Law allows innocent third parties to bring civil claims against sellers or hosts who provide alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals who then cause harm. (South Carolina has a body of common law that operates in a similar way to Georgia’s Dram Shop Law.)
Here’s an example:
Example: Ben and his friends are watching a game at a local bar. After multiple drinks, Ben becomes visibly intoxicated. He stumbles up to the bar, car keys in hand, and the bartender serves him another drink. Twenty minutes later, Ben swerves off the road and hits Michael, who’s out for a run. Michael can sue Ben for causing the accident and sue the local bar for serving Ben alcohol.
If your situation sounds similar to any of this scenario, M. Austin Jackson can help. Our local Aiken-Augusta law firm carefully evaluates your claim and takes the time to explain your options in plain language. Together, we’ll determine the right path forward for you.
Many people say the hours and days following a drunk driving accident are a blur. But this is the time when legal action is most critical, especially if you’ve suffered serious injuries or significant damages.
A trusted, client-focused attorney can bring clarity to your situation, helping you navigate the legal process and representing your best interests. Recovering from your injuries is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to add dealing with insurance companies and interpreting complex ‘legalese’ to your plate.
M. Austin Jackson is your Augusta neighbor and advocate. Our personalized, local approach is what sets our firm apart from national firms. When you work with M. Austin Jackson, we’re in this together. We leverage our years of personal injury expertise to make sure you’re taking all the right actions in your case to maximize recovery.
Since 2013, M. Austin Jackson has been helping his injured neighbors throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Austin Jackson is an Augusta native with a passion for serving his injured neighbors across Georgia and South Carolina. Since 2013, he’s focused his practice on personal injury litigation and recovered millions in damages, including settlements for accidents involving drunk drivers.
Austin is a community advocate who believes in fair representation and giving every client the attention they deserve. Every time you work with our firm, you’ll work directly with Austin to pursue justice and just compensation.
Since 2013, M. Austin Jackson has been helping his injured neighbors throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
In the minutes following an accident with a drunk driver, you should:
If you or your passengers have been injured, seek medical treatment immediately. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s still a good idea to be evaluated.
This is especially important if you suspect the other driver is intoxicated. The police will file an accident report and investigate, conducting a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test. The evidence they collect will help show the other driver’s intoxication and strengthen your case.
As you are able, document the accident scene by taking photos of damages from all angles. Collect contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
Get their name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information.
To do this, you’ll want to contact the law enforcement agency that responded to your accident. In the report, you’ll find details related to the accident and damages, the other driver’s intoxication level, and other important information about the scene that will support your claim.
As soon as you’re able, contact a drunk driving accident lawyer. Your attorney will help you understand your rights and potential options for compensation.
Our firm knows these steps can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with injuries or worried about damage to your vehicle. The attorneys at M. Austin Jackson are here to guide you through it all, making sure you’re taking the right actions toward a positive outcome in your case.
Sometimes, victims of a DUI accident are fortunate enough to walk away with minor injuries. But other accidents can cause more serious injuries that change lives. Even if your injuries seem minor, you’ll want to monitor your body closely in the hours and days following your accident.
Injuries from drunk driving accidents can include:
After reporting your accident to law enforcement, you’ll want to contact your insurance company. When they ask for relevant details about the accident, you should let them know the other driver was intoxicated. This is when the police report will come in handy—an insurance company may be more likely to settle a claim if there’s proof their insured driver was intoxicated.
Even if your insurance company is helpful and kind, you’ll still want to be mindful of the information you share. And remember, you are not legally obligated to speak to the other driver’s insurance company.
Before accepting a settlement or negotiating with an insurer, you should consider requesting legal assistance. Having a trusted attorney to speak to the insurance companies on your behalf is often the best option.
The experienced and approachable attorneys at M. Austin Jackson are trained negotiators who advocate for a positive outcome in your settlement. We fight tirelessly for car accident victims and their families, with a focus on care and respect for those who’ve been injured.
awarded to a car accident victim with neck and shoulder injuries
awarded to a car crash victim with debilitating concussion and constant migraines
awarded to a car crash victim with injuries limiting mobility
awarded to a car accident victim with spinal fractures and facial scarring
M. Austin Jackson has seen all types of drunk driving accidents, including:
No matter the circumstances, we’re here to help you pick up the pieces. Our local Augusta firm will make you feel like a priority every time you interact with our team, thoroughly answering your questions and addressing your needs. We give you the peace of mind of knowing your rights are protected as you start the road to recovery.
Contact M. Austin Jackson, an Augusta law firm with a reputation for helping those injured after being hit by drunk drivers in Georgia and South Carolina get back on their feet. We have deep roots in this community, and we’re completely dedicated to helping our neighbors receive justice and fair compensation, and start on the road to recovery.
First, you should dial 911 and seek medical treatment for your injuries. After first responders are on the scene, file an accident report with the responding law enforcement agency.
If you’re able, document the accident scene by taking photos and collecting contact information from witnesses, or have an uninjured passenger gather evidence. Then request a copy of the police report. You’ll need the information in this report to build your case for recovering damages.
You should also contact an experienced drunk driving accident attorney who can guide you through the legal process.
If you suspect the other driver was intoxicated, you’ll want to report it when you call the police. The responding officers can then conduct a field sobriety test or give the driver a breathalyzer test to measure their blood alcohol content (BAC). If any witnesses on the scene saw the driver behaving recklessly, you’ll also want to gather their contact information. Eyewitness reports can help corroborate the information included in the police report to strengthen your case.
After a drunk driving accident, you can seek compensation for monetary damages, including:
Victims can also claim non-monetary damages like pain and suffering, loss of quality of life due to injuries, and psychological impacts. Ultimately, your claim will depend on the extent of your injuries, your insurance coverage, and your attorney’s ability to negotiate the settlement amount.
Auto accident claims in Georgia must be filed in a civil court within two years of an accident. In South Carolina, victims have three years to file a claim after their accident. Beyond this time frame, victims forfeit their ability to pursue financial compensation.
We recommend contacting a personal injury attorney before speaking with the insurance company. Your attorney can help ensure all interactions are handled carefully so you maximize your chance of getting the best settlement for your case.
If a drunk driver was overserved at a bar or restaurant before causing an accident, the establishment that served the alcohol can be held liable under Georgia’s Dram Shop Act. According to Georgia Code section 51-1-40, the establishment can be held liable if they served alcohol to someone noticeably intoxicated or underage, and if they knew the person would be driving soon after consuming alcohol. South Carolina also has statutes which address bars and restaurants being held responsible when an employee over serves alcohol to a patron.
As a victim, you may be able to hold the establishment and the driver responsible for their actions.
You can file a wrongful death claim if you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident in Georgia and South Carolina. The surviving spouse, non-adult children of the deceased, surviving parents, or the designated representative of the deceased individual’s estate can file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims seek financial recovery for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the death.