DUI Wreck Inside Covered Bridge in Athens, Georgia

A historic covered bridge at Watson Mill Bridge State Park was damaged on Saturday, February 23, 2019, after an allegedly drunk driver ran his truck into it. The bridge is over 100 years old and spans the South Fork River between Oglethorpe and Madison counties, near Carlton, GA. It is the oldest covered bridge in the state and is one of only 20 remaining in all of Georgia.

As a result of the accident, traffic has been closed on the bridge. The wreck occurred at about 5:45 p.m. that Saturday and police are still investigating the crime. Structural engineers will assess the damage done to the bridge before allowing traffic to resume.

Property damage is often a part of a case of driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia and can be the subject of a separate civil lawsuit. With the help of an experienced Cobb County DUI attorney, you can defend your criminal case and understand the risks you face as part of a civil lawsuit.

Separate Civil Action for Damages

If during the course of a person's alleged drunk driving incident, he or she causes damage to property, that person may be subject to a separate civil lawsuit for the damages caused. The types of damages that can be caused to property as the result of a person's intoxicated driving can vary greatly:

• damage to road signs,
• damage to other vehicles in a car accident,
• damage to historic covered bridges,
• yard damage,
• personal injury damages, or
• a wrongful death action (if a person is killed as a result of the accident).

These issues are serious and may be impacted by a finding of guilty at the criminal level.

How Your Criminal Case Applies

If you are found guilty in court of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, that conviction can be used against you in a civil action to prove the intoxication elements of the allegations you face there. It is crucial that you understand the potential ramifications of a conviction or guilty plea.

If you work with an experienced attorney, you can know the risks and benefits involved in a possible plea or in taking the case to trial. Dismissed charges cannot be used against you as definitive proof of intoxication, and this could greatly help you in your civil case.

Defending Your Criminal Case

With the help of your knowledgeable attorney, you can present different defenses that can lessen the charges against you or possibly lead to dismissal.

• Challenge the accuracy of breath test results.
• Challenge the results of field sobriety tests.
• File a suppression motion for improperly obtained evidence.
• Argue that refusal did not occur or that the implied consent warning was improperly given.
• Fight against any additional charges stemming from the alleged DUI.

Consult a Cobb County DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care about has been charged with DUI, an experienced Cobb County DUI attorney has the years of experience needed to defend your case and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.