Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) indicates that any driver that has a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08 cannot operate a motor vehicle in the state of Florida legally. In fact, Florida Statutes §316.193 articulates the penalties for drivers in Florida that make the decision to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Those arrested and convicted can pay fines in the thousands of dollars and spend years in jail depending on the severity of the crime.
If you have suffered injuries in a car accident involving a drunk driver, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Consider hiring a Sarasota drunk driving accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to help you with your next legal steps.
Drunk Driving in the State of Florida
Any driver who operates a motor vehicle while intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol can receive a charge and conviction of a DUI (driving under the influence). If a driver receives this charge and a DUI conviction, the victim will know that the driver’s negligence directly caused the car accident. A victim of a drunk driving accident can file a lawsuit or insurance claim to receive compensation for their injuries and losses.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accidents lawyer serving Sarasota, call (844) 730-0233
Examples of DUI Car Accidents
People can consume alcoholic beverages in several different places leading to a DUI arrest, charge, and possible conviction. Depending on where the drunk driver consumed their alcohol, a victim may have more than one party that they can seek compensation from for their injuries and losses related to a drunk driving accident.
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Potential Parties Liable for Injuries and Losses Related to a Drunk Driving Accident Case
While the driver that made the decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated bears the liability regarding the car accident, there are other potential parties that may also remain partially liable for a victim’s injuries and losses.
The following are some different entities and parties that may bear responsibility for the losses and injuries of a car accident victim following a drunk driving accident:
Driver
Clearly, the driver who decided to operate a vehicle while intoxicated bears liability and responsibility for any injuries suffered due to his or her negligent decision. Along with receiving fines and possible jail time following a DUI conviction in the state of Florida, a drunk driver may also have to compensate a victim for any injuries and losses suffered as a result of the car accident.
Public Establishment
If a bar, restaurant, or another public establishment that serves alcohol continues to serve alcohol to a patron or customer that is either underage or known to be an alcoholic, they may also have a legal liability to compensate a victim of a drunk driving accident. Florida Statutes §768.125 codifies the “dram shop liability” law, which makes an establishment serving alcohol responsible for certain patrons and customers that leave an establishment and drive while intoxicated.
Social Hosts
Many people throw parties and social gatherings at their homes that include food and alcohol. If a private host serves alcohol to their guests, they may also receive penalties if one of their guests causes a car accident leaving the party.
Employers
Under a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior, employers remain responsible for the actions of their employees during the course of their employment. If an employee drinks alcohol and causes a car accident while working within the scope of his or her employment hours, the employer could remain liable to compensate a victim for any injuries or losses resulting from the drunk driving accident.
Negligent Entrustment
In some cases, the owner of a vehicle will allow another person to drive their vehicle. While this is a legally acceptable decision, if the owner of the vehicle knows that the person driving their vehicle has consumed alcohol or remains visibly intoxicated, the owner of the vehicle may also have liability with respect to any car accident-related to their vehicle and the driver they allowed to operate the vehicle while drunk.
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Statute of Limitations
The state of Florida has a strict statute of limitations codified under Florida Statutes §95.11. These laws indicate that a victim of a drunk driving accident in the state of Florida only has four years to file a personal injury claim in court. If you do not meet the deadline, then it is possible for you to lose your legal right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, injuries, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.
A Sarasota drunk driving accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you with your personal injury claim related to your drunk driving accident and help you determine your next steps so that you do not miss any statute of limitations deadlines. However, there can be exceptions to the deadlines based on your circumstances.
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Learn How a Sarasota Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help You Today
You may feel overwhelmed dealing with your injuries, medical bills, the inability to return to work, lost wages, property damage, and attempting to negotiate with insurance companies.
Learn how a Sarasota drunk driving accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, (844) 730-0233, can answer your questions regarding your car accident and help you understand how you may have a civil claim against a drunk driver, even if they received criminal charges for a DUI in the state of Florida. Our legal team can explain how our attorneys can help you receive compensation for your injuries, medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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