People who recklessly choose to operate a powered vehicle while impaired by alcohol have a much greater capacity to cause accidents, injuries, and death. While accidents involving drunk drivers have decreased in Florida, it remains a pressing public health concern.
Impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of road traffic fatalities nationwide, claiming just over 10,500 lives each year according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If a drunk driver has hurt you or a family member, the personal injury attorneys at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, will do everything in their power to help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our team for a free consultation about your case at (844) 730-0233 today.
Compensation from Criminal, Civil, and Punitive Action Against Drunk Drivers
If a drunk driver hits you with a blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) reading of .08 percent in Florida, you are considered the victim of a criminal act. As such, the at-fault party may face criminal charges, along with civil proceedings, and punitive costs.
Criminal Charges
Florida law takes a harsh stance against DUI offenders, often enforcing jail sentences, hefty fines, license suspensions, and more. The charges will vary depending on the offender’s circumstances and the severity of the accident and injuries. In addition to the criminal charges, drunk drivers can be sued in civil court, providing a means for injured victims to seek compensation for their losses through civil proceedings.
Civil Proceedings
Compensatory damages in civil proceedings are intended to cover specific losses that can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
An Orlando drunk driving accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursues compensation on your behalf in civil proceedings.
Other Possible Sources of Recovery
While a driver convicted of a DUI offense is generally liable to pay for damages, there are other possible avenues to seek compensation. For example, you could be entitled to damage awards through Florida’s Crimes Compensation Act, a fund established to help people injured by criminal activity such as drunk driving.
Further, laws in Florida apply to establishments such as restaurants or bars. They could be held liable for your injuries if they serve a person under the age of 21 or habitually addicted to alcohol, who then causes serious harm to others by drunk driving.
Finally, when a commercial driver is convicted of a DUI offense while on the job, it is possible, depending on the circumstances of the collision, that multiple parties could be held liable, including the negligent driver’s employer.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, will carefully consider your circumstances and determine which insurance coverage is most suitable for your financial awards.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving lawyer serving Orlando, call (844) 730-0233
Providing Clarity in Complex Legal Proceedings
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol adversely affects driver ability, causing slower reaction times, trouble controlling speed, reduced coordination, difficulty steering, and loss of judgment. As such, accidents involving impaired drivers tend to result in more severe injuries.
Victims’ lives are suddenly thrown into turmoil in the wake of a drunk driver’s negligent and selfish actions. What follows is a period of pain, anxiety, financial pressure for victims and their families, and injuries that can have a lifelong impact.
An Orlando drunk driving accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process. Providing advice about the most suitable course of legal action for your particular needs based on a thorough understanding of the legal issues present in such cases and applying them to your unique situation is typically achieved by:
- Carefully investigating the cause of your accident.
- Collecting evidence necessary to support your claim from police reports, witness statements, medical records, and proof of lost income.
- Identifying responsible parties.
- Proving liability.
- Determine possible sources of recovery.
- Calculating your needs for a full recovery.
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Reviewing settlement offers.
In the event of wrongful death, we can assist surviving family members to seek damages for mental and emotional pain, medical and funeral expenses, loss of consortium, lost wages, and other benefits.
In civil cases involving lawsuits against drunk drivers, the statute of limitations generally refers to the time a person has from the accident date to begin legal proceedings against the at-fault party. Florida law permits four years to file an action. However, it can be beneficial to your case to act sooner rather than later to allow your Orlando drunk driving accident lawyer to preserve and gather vital evidence to prove your case.
Orlando Drunk Driving Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Legal Representation with a Focus on Your Needs
The lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC are committed to seeking justice for their clients and their families. If you are a victim of an accident caused through reckless actions and negligence like drunk driving, we are here to help.
When another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you should not be left to carry the burden alone. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only charge when you receive a settlement. Our initial consultation is free, reach us at (844) 730-0233 today.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
