What You Can Do If You’ve Been In An Accident With A Drunk Driver In Florida

Drunk driving puts everyone on the road at risk of severe injuries and even death. Drunk driving accidents are quite common. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in 2021, 5,065 drunk-driving-related traffic crashes occurred in Florida, resulting in 386 fatalities and 2,947 injuries. A drunk driving accident can result in substantial damages if you suffer severe injuries. Being injured in an accident with a drunk driver can, for example, result in significant medical expenses and lost wages. Apart from these economic damages, suffering severe injuries in a drunk driving accident can result in non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering.

Because we understand the effects injuries sustained in a drunk driving accident can have on a victim’s life, we have put together this guide detailing what you can do if you’ve been in an accident with a drunk driver in Florida.

File a Personal Injury Claim Against the Drunk Driver

Because drunk driving is illegal in Florida, the driver who hit you and injured you will most likely face criminal charges in a criminal court. However, you may not be awarded compensation for your injuries and damages through the criminal trial. That is why you should consider filing a personal injury claim, which is a type of civil claim, after suffering injuries in a drunk driving accident. In Florida, when a person suffers injuries in an accident because of a drunk driver, they have the right to file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver and recover compensation for their injuries and damages.

A qualified personal injury attorney can help you file a claim against the drunk driver who injured you. An attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Indeed, you have the right to handle your injury claim alone. However, it is best for you to retain an attorney.

What Can You Do if the Drunk Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?

According to the III, more than 20% of drivers in Florida do not have insurance. There are also those drivers who have inadequate insurance. If the drunk driver who hit you and injured you does not have insurance or has insufficient insurance, don’t worry because you have options.

If the drunk driver who injured you does not have insurance or has insufficient insurance, you can file an insurance claim with your insurance company if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

Suppose the drunk driver does not have insurance or has insufficient insurance, and you do not have UM/UIM coverage. In such a case, you may be able to file a claim against the bar or restaurant that served drinks to the driver. Under Florida law, if a bar or restaurant knowingly provides alcohol to an individual “habitually addicted” to alcohol, the bar or restaurant can be held liable for injuries caused by the intoxicated individual.

Contact Us for Legal Help

If you were injured in a drunk-driving-related accident, our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are here to help. We can help you hold the drunk driver accountable and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, and Fort Lauderdale areas.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.727.html