Helping Victims of Florida Car Accidents
Each day, drunk driving accidents seriously injure or kill innocent people throughout South Florida and the surrounding area. If you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist, your life can be forever altered in a single moment due to the negligence of another. Feelings of grief, suffering, and loss attributed to such DUI accidents are escalated due to the fact that it’s an entirely avoidable and unnecessary tragedy.
DUI accidents can be some of the worst types of auto accidents because intoxicated drivers (whether drunk driving or driving while high) tend to take more risks, driving recklessly and making poor decisions, all of which can cost an innocent person their health, or worse — their life.
Car accidents attributed to DUIs are classified as criminal in nature because both drunk driving and driving while high are deemed illegal. People affected by these types of motor vehicle accidents can also bring a case to civil court in order to receive reimbursement for their past or future medical bills, lost wages, property damages, pain and suffering, and more. Sometimes, a civil case can even be brought against the particular establishment or party that supplied the substance to the driver of the vehicle which caused the accident.
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident related to any type of DUI in Fort Lauderdale or surrounding areas such as Miami or West Palm Beach, contact Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A. Our small, boutique law firm has many years of first-hand expertise in working with the victims of DUI accidents. Our Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident attorneys can provide you with the legal counsel you need to bring the driver attributed to the DUI to justice and hopefully collect the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured, don’t hesitate to get started on your case by calling our team at (954) 905-4600, or by contacting us online.
Drunk Driving Laws in Florida
Alcohol is known to impair a person’s judgment and motor functions, as well as cause people to make risky decisions, all of which are dangerous when a person is behind the wheel. Despite the fact that most people today understand that drunk driving is illegal and dangerous, nearly 30 people die in drunk driving accidents every day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the state of Florida, drivers can be charged with fines and jail time if they drive with a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or above.
The more DUIs a person has gotten, the more serious the consequences will be. For example, a first DUI offense would result in fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 but being convicted of three or more DUIs in 10 years is considered a third-degree felony and could result in long jail sentences.
While people injured in drunk driving accidents often file claims against the driver, there may be instances in which victims can hold bars, restaurants, and other establishments responsible through Florida’s Dram Shop Law. However, you can only hold an establishment responsible if you can prove alcohol was sold or given to an underage individual or an individual with a known alcohol addiction.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident related to any type of DUI, it’s vital that you speak with an experienced DUI accident attorney immediately. Every year, alcohol or other intoxicants are a massive contributing factor in several of our state’s accidents, resulting in thousands of injuries and deaths. When it comes to getting justice for your case, you not only are required to prove the negligence of the other driver, but you also have to prove that the driver who caused the accident was intoxicated.
Our attorneys have achieved multimillion-dollar verdict and settlements for countless individuals and families in Florida and can apply the same level of dedication to your case.
We’ve been able to help clients cover the costs of the following after drunk driving accidents that end in injury or death:
- Medical bills, including costs of hospitalization, surgery, medication, and more
- Aftercare costs like physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Lost income
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship or support
While drunk drivers may be charged with crimes, you won’t be able to recover anything unless you file a personal injury claim on your own. Our team can aid you in finding a knowledgeable and proficient attorney that’s ready to work with you, for you, and get the compensation you deserve.
