Summary
- Working with a drunk driving accident lawyer can help you successfully make a claim for fair compensation.
- Drunk drivers can cause car accidents that leave behind tremendous harm.
- The victims of drunk driving accidents suffer from physical pain, medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and other damages.
- If you are a victim of a drunk driving accident, you have a right to compensation for the harm caused by the drunk driver.
Cars and other vehicles are large, dangerous machines, and operating one on public roads is a serious responsibility. Unfortunately, some drivers don’t live up to the trust placed in them and put everyone else in danger by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As drunk driving accident lawyers, our team at WHG is familiar with what an impaired driver’s actions can cost other road users.
Drunk drivers can cause horrific car accidents, leaving victims seriously injured, emotionally traumatized, and struggling to pay medical bills and vehicle repair costs. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk driving accident, you deserve compensation for your losses.
The legal system can be complicated, and insurance companies don’t always want to cooperate. The drunk driving accident lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia are here to help. We know how to file effective claims, negotiate with insurance companies, and get you the justice you’re owed.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us online or call us at (800) 320-4357.
Florida’s Drunk Driving Laws
The state of Florida defines drunk driving as the crime of Driving Under the Influence, or DUI. Anyone “driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle” with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.08% can be punishable by a variety of penalties, depending on several factors.
- First DUI convictions are punishable by fines between $500 and $1,000 and up to six months in prison.
- If there was a minor in the vehicle or a BAC above 0.15%, the fines are increased from $1,000 to $2,000, with up to nine months in prison.
- Second DUI convictions are punishable by fines between $1,000 and $2,000 and up to nine months in prison. They also require an interlock ignition device on all of the offender’s vehicles.
- If there was a minor in the vehicle or a BAC above 0.15% for the second DUI conviction, offenders face fines between $2,000 and $4,000 and up to a year in prison.
These criminal penalties demonstrate just how seriously driving under the influence is taken. However, that’s not the only form of justice available for victims of drunk driving. You’re also owed compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional damages caused by the accident.
Drunk Driving Statistics
In the United States, drunk driving kills over 13,000 people a year, and over 30% of all traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver.
These car accident statistics are actually an improvement from decades ago. Generally, we have made progress in combating drunk driving injuries and deaths. Unfortunately, there’s still a long way for us to go.
How to Spot a Drunk Driver
Learning to spot a drunk driver on the road can be a crucial way to protect yourself and your passengers. Some common signs include:
- Drifting in and out of traffic lanes
- Tailgating
- Staying under or over the speed limit
- Swerving
- Stopping for no reason
If you encounter an erratic driver on the road, and you suspect they may be drunk driving, it’s best to keep your distance. It’s not proof they’re drunk driving, but even if there’s another explanation for their behavior, they’re still putting other drivers in danger. Steer clear.
Compensation for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving often causes very serious car accidents, leaving victims with devastating injuries, wrecked vehicles, and other damages. Meanwhile, you may be unable to cover those expenses due to being temporarily out of work.
If you were in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation for damages including:
- Medical expenses: The costs associated with treating your car accident injuries, from hospital bills to medication to at-home care
- Lost wages: The earnings you were unable to make due to missing work after the accident
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain and discomfort you endured from your injury
- Property damage: Vehicle repairs and the costs of replacing other damaged property
- Disability settlements: Large payments to compensate for causing long-term or permanent disability
- Punitive damages: Additional penalties designed to punish severely negligent behavior, like drunk driving
- And more
A drunk driving accident lawyer can help you understand the level of compensation you’re owed. Additionally, they have the skill set to present an effective claim supporting your case.
How a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Drunk drivers can cause a lot of damage, and their victims deserve justice. A drunk driving accident lawyer can offer you guidance throughout the personal injury claims process so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.
A drunk driving accident lawyer can help by:
- Assessing your case and estimating your damages
- Anticipating and managing the complexities of Florida’s legal system
- Investigating and obtaining evidence of the other driver’s impairment
- Negotiating with the drunk driver’s insurance company for fair compensation
- Representing your drunk driving accident lawsuit in court
The help of a skilled and experienced drunk driving accident lawyer can be a valuable resource. Besides seeking compensation, a personal injury attorney who specializes in drunk driving accident claims can protect your rights.
Choose Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia For Your Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been in an accident caused by a driver, you may be suffering from significant physical, emotional, or financial damages they’ve caused. Consequently, you deserve to be compensated fairly so that you can recover and move on. The personal injury lawyers of WHG will champion your claim to maximize your compensation.
At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we have decades of combined experience in handling drunk driving accident claims. Our exceptional record of results demonstrates our abilities and our commitment to our clients. Give us a call at (800) 320-4357 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a drunk driving accident?
If you’re involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, your first steps may be crucial. Specifically, in the immediate aftermath of the accident, you should:
- Seek medical attention instead of brushing off your injuries
- Call the police
- Take photos of the scene of the crash, the vehicles involved, and any injuries
- Get contact information from any witnesses
- Get in touch with an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer
Following that, you should keep up with any medical treatments your doctor recommends.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim for a drunk driving accident?
The Florida statute of limitations for personal injury claims gives potential plaintiffs a period of two years after the accident that caused their injuries to bring a claim. However, if your injuries do not manifest immediately, you may have a bit more time. If you have questions about how the statute of limitations applies to your case, get in touch with a drunk driving accident lawyer for more information.
If the drunk driver who hit me was operating under the legal limit, do I still have grounds for a drunk driving accident claim?
Civil claims require the injured party to show that the party who caused their injuries was behaving negligently, not criminally. Basically, driving under the influence of alcohol is still reckless, even if your BAC is under 0.08. Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction times long before that point.
