DUI Accident Victims

There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel of car while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately the Office for Victims of Crimes estimates that up to 30% of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lives. If you have sustained serious DUI-related injuries you should know that Florida law includes extensive provisions for victims of drunk-driving accidents. 

Who is liable and can you press criminal charges?
In some circumstances Florida’s Dram Shop Act, which creates a liability for the bars or other liquor-selling establishments responsible for supplying the alcohol to the drunk-driver, may apply to your case. By speaking with a professional DUI attorney, you can help determine which parties are legally liable for your claims and what you can do to receive punitive damages.

Drunk driving is a crime, and as such, a drunk driver can be criminally charged for their actions. As a victim, you may be entitled to receive state victim assistance or eligible for other compensation programs. This becomes especially important if the drunk-driver does not have liability insurance. 

If the driver does have insurance it is possible that their insurance company will try to contact you to protect their own assets and limit their liability. By refusing to speak with them personally and directing all conversations to occur through your lawyer you can potentially avoid any actions that may lessen the amount of damages you are entitled to.

A personal injury attorney can guide you through this long and often complex process, ensuring multiple claims, insurance adjustments, and all of the extenuating circumstances that affect your case are addressed in court.

How to cope in the aftermath of a car accident.
Recovering from a severe car accident can be a long and frustrating process. Medical bills, time away from work, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and/or permanent disability are just a few of the possible realities you may be facing.

While you begin to recover from your accident, both physically and emotionally, it is important to remember there are people on your side. The trauma you may have experienced during your accident can lead to depression, anxiety, or other emotional conditions as a result of the crash. Psychological counseling and support groups are a few of the resources available to victims of drunk-driving accidents and can be a critical part of your healing process.

If you have been the victim of a drunk-driving accident, you can speak with an experienced DUI attorney minutes after completing our short questionnaire.