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People who are intoxicated while driving risk causing serious, maybe deadly injury to others as a result of their careless decisions. A victim’s family is devastated when a drunk driver collides with their loved one, as he or she can sustain severe injuries. Pedestrians are fortunate to survive a collision with a drunk driver. Injured victims of accidents are frequently forced to leave extended periods of work, resulting in a loss of income while their medical bills continue to accrue. The financial strain exacerbates the emotional distress associated with injury and recuperation.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident involving a drunk driver, Florida law allows you to seek compensation for damages relating to the auto accident and your loss. The attorneys at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki have decades of combined experience assisting victims of drunk driving accidents seek the compensation they deserve. Call us at (904) 398-1992 or fill out a quick form to schedule a free initial consultation with our aggressive drunk driving accident attorneys! ¡Hablamos español!
Drunk Driving Statistics in Florida
Drunk driving deaths have reduced by more than 30 percent in the United States during the past three decades[1]. Yet, about 30 individuals every day continue to die in drunk driving accidents. According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles drunk driving has declined in Florida in recent years[2].
How Does Florida's No-Fault Insurance Affect an Accident Caused by Drunk Driving?
Property damage liability (PDL) and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage must be at least $10,000 each for Florida citizens who register a motor vehicle, according to the state's no-fault insurance regulations[3].
When an accident happens, each driver files a claim with his or her own carrier to recoup accidentrelated damages. PIP coverage in Florida covers the following:
When the injuries sustained in a drunk driving accident are serious, it is not unusual for victims to swiftly surpass their PIP coverage limit. In these situations, plaintiffs must seek compensation for their damages with the assistance of a knowledgeable Florida personal injury attorney with experience in vehicle accidents and drunk driving incidents. Call us at (904) 398-1992 or fill out a quick form to schedule a free initial consultation with our aggressive drunk driving accident attorneys!
Florida Law Regarding Third Party Liability
In several incidents involving drunk driving in Florida, the intoxicated motorist is readily held accountable for damages. However, in rare instances, a third party or parties may share culpability with the driver. Some instances are when a third party is an employer, business, or host.
If an employee under the influence of alcohol causes an accident while using a corporate vehicle, a Florida court may hold the employer partly responsible for the resulting damages. Under Florida law[4], restaurants, bars, and other businesses that knowingly serve "a person habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages" or a minor under the age of 21 may be liable for damages if the person they served causes harm to another in a drunk driving accident after leaving their establishment. Those who offer alcohol to others in a social situation, such as a party or celebration, may be responsible for damages if they serve an alcoholic or a juvenile with knowledge.
Seeking Compensation for Your Damages
When you exhaust or surpass the limitations of your statutory PIP coverage, which extends to pedestrians, motorists, and children in your car, you can sue the drunk driver who caused you damage for further compensation. If a court in Florida finds in your favor, you may be awarded punitive and compensatory damages. Punitive damages are reserved for exceptional instances; thus, you should not anticipate them. Your attorney will provide you with information on the potential of punitive damages in your case.
Florida courts often award compensatory damages to compensate plaintiffs for economic and noneconomic losses linked to the accident and injuries in personal injury lawsuits. The most often granted compensatory damages include medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium.
Depending on your relationship with the deceased, if you lost a child or other family member in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death action. In a Florida wrongful death lawsuit, you may be able to collect some of the aforementioned damages as well as burial and funeral costs. Our skilled attorneys will advise you on what situations pertain to your family.
The Importance of Hiring an Attorney
Our Jacksonville drunk driving accident attorneys have spent years honing the skills necessary to assist you in achieving a favorable outcome in your case. These skills include guiding you through the legal process, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to accept a settlement offer, filing court-required paperwork on time, attending all pretrial conferences and hearings, and collecting your settlement or award.
Call Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki Today! The attorneys at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki have decades of combined experience assisting victims of drunk driving accidents seek the compensation they rightfully deserve. Call us at (904) 398-1992 or fill out a quick form to schedule a free initial consultation with our aggressive drunk driving accident attorneys! ¡Hablamos español!
[1] Drunk Driving Statistics and Resources, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving (last visited May 10, 2022).
[2] Traffic Crash Facts: Annual Report 2017. FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES. https://flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2017.pdf (last visited May 10, 2022).
[3] Florida Insurance Requirements. FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES. https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/ (last visited May 10, 2022).
[4] FLA. STAT. § 768.125
