If you or a loved one were injured in a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Anidjar & Levine provides free, no-obligation case reviews to help you understand your legal rights and options. Our Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident lawyers will explain how you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Don’t wait. Call today for your free consultation. A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can guide you and your family through the next steps, fighting for the financial recovery you deserve.
Recoverable Compensation After A Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident
The type of compensation available after a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident depends on whether you can step outside Florida’s no-fault system. By default, every driver can access limited coverage for medical bills and a portion of lost wages through their personal injury protection (PIP) policy.
However, if your injuries meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold or another exception applies, you may be able to pursue additional compensation from the drunk driver’s insurance provider.
Economic Losses
When injuries are severe, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers can help you seek compensation for the financial impact of the crash. This can include:
- Medical expenses: ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor appointments, and follow-up care
- Rehabilitation and therapy: physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehab needed to recover function
- Medical equipment: wheelchairs, crutches, braces, or other assistive devices
- Future medical costs: projected expenses for ongoing treatment, additional surgeries, or lifetime care
- Lost wages: income missed while recovering, including lost tips, bonuses, or overtime pay
- Loss of earning capacity: reduced ability to work or earn at your previous level due to long-term disability
- Property losses: repairs or replacement for your vehicle and damaged personal property (phones, laptops, car seats)
Non-Economic Losses
Beyond financial setbacks, many accident victims also experience life-changing effects that deserve recognition. You may be eligible to seek compensation for:
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of a limb or reduced mobility
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
By addressing both economic and non-economic losses, our team works to ensure that victims of drunk driving accidents pursue the maximum compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in the accident, our wrongful death lawyers can help your family seek compensation for the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills before death
- Loss of income
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Loss of household services
- Pain and suffering
If you have lost a loved one, please accept our condolences. We understand the heartache and hardships your family is facing and want to help. We know that money can never replace your loved one, but we can help you find time to grieve in peace and seek justice for your loss. Call us today, and we can explain how we can help.
Common Injuries In Drunk Driving Accidents
Because impaired drivers often travel at high speeds or make reckless maneuvers, the injuries from drunk driving accidents are frequently severe. Victims may suffer:
- Head and brain injuries, including concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can cause lasting cognitive or emotional challenges.
- Spinal cord injuries, sometimes leading to partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, may not be immediately obvious.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries, causing chronic pain and mobility issues.
- Severe lacerations, burns, or disfigurement from broken glass, airbags, or fire.
Even minor injuries can worsen without proper treatment. That’s why it’s critical to seek medical attention right away and follow through with care after a drunk driving crash.
How A Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Proves Negligence
To recover compensation after a drunk driving accident, your lawyer must establish that the other driver was legally negligent. This requires proving four key elements:
Duty Of Care: Legal Obligations
Every driver in Fort Lauderdale has a responsibility to drive safely, whether traveling on Sunrise Boulevard, Federal Highway (US-1), or I-95. This duty includes obeying traffic signals and avoiding impaired driving.
Breach Of Duty: Violating Traffic Law
A driver who chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking at a Las Olas Boulevard bar and speeds down Broward Boulevard while impaired clearly violates that duty.
Causation: Resulting Accident And Injuries
Your attorney must link the breach to the crash. For example, if a drunk driver ran a red light at the intersection of Andrews Avenue and Davie Boulevard, causing a collision, the connection between their impairment and the accident is clear.
Damages: Financial Hardships And Personal Losses
Finally, you must show that you suffered losses. This could involve presenting medical records from Broward Health Medical Center or pay stubs proving missed work due to your injuries.
Establishing Negligence With Evidence
To build a strong case, our attorneys conduct a thorough investigation, collecting and reviewing such evidence as the following:
- Police report, including the officer’s observations and citations issued
- Field sobriety test results
- Breathalyzer or blood test results
- Accident scene photos of the vehicles and your injuries
- Videos from dashcams, traffic cameras, or surveillance
- Witness statements
- Medical records, including your prognosis
- Cell phone records
- Driver’s past DUI records
In some cases, accident reconstruction specialists or medical experts may provide testimony to strengthen the insurance claim.
By carefully collecting, examining, and presenting this evidence, your lawyer works to demonstrate the drunk driver’s negligence and hold them accountable, giving you the best chance of securing fair compensation for your losses.
How A Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help You
After a drunk driving accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical treatment, lost time from work, and constant phone calls from insurance companies. A Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident lawyer can step in and handle these burdens for you so that you can focus on healing.
Your attorney manages all the paperwork required to pursue your claim, from filing with your personal injury protection (PIP) carrier to preparing a liability claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. They also handle all communications with the insurance adjusters and opposing counsel, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your payout. This service includes determining the full extent of your losses and negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement, or taking your case to trial.
Having a dedicated Fort Lauderdale attorney by your side ensures that your rights are protected and that you have an advocate fighting for your financial recovery.
Time Limits On Filing A Drunk Driving Injury Accident Lawsuit In Florida
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years from the date of your injuries to file a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit with the Broward County Courts against the drunk driver who caused the car crash.
Time is critical after a drunk driving accident. The sooner you involve a lawyer, the faster we can begin gathering evidence before it’s lost or becomes harder to obtain. Having the ability to take your case to court, if necessary, gives us stronger leverage in negotiations with the insurance company. Often, the mere possibility of a lawsuit encourages insurers to offer a fair settlement rather than risk a trial.
Call the Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident lawyers at Anidjar & Levine today to take the first step toward protecting your rights.
Why Choose Anidjar & Levine?
Since our founding in 2005, Anidjar & Levine has built a reputation for putting clients first. We know that an accident can turn your life upside down, which is why we go beyond traditional legal services to provide support when you need it most. From day one, we make ourselves accessible. Our lawyers even list their personal cell phone numbers on their business cards so that you can reach us directly with questions or concerns.
We don’t just fight for your rights in the courtroom; we come to you, whether you’re at home or in the hospital, and we help connect you with top medical providers to support your recovery. Throughout your case, we’ll keep you updated, explain your options, and advocate tirelessly for you and your family.
Our services begin with a free case consultation, and with our contingency-fee structure, you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Our Client Reviews Attest To Our Commitment
Our past clients have left testimonials of their experiences with us. They consist of comments like the following:
- “The Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine went above and beyond all expectations in providing me with top notch service and follow through in successfully settling my case for me, and negotiating my medical bills.” — Adam S.
- “Prompt and courteous answers to questions. Great communication from everyone involved with your case. Phenomenal case results. “ — Jos I.
The Effects Of Alcohol On Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), once a person’s blood alcohol level (BAC) reaches the legal limit, it significantly impacts driving. Typical effects include:
- Short-term memory loss
- Inability to concentrate
- Inability to control speed
- Poor judgment
- Loss of self-control
BAC can continue to rise even after the person stops drinking, which can lead to more serious effects, like poor muscle control, slowed thinking, and reduced reaction time. These symptoms can be devastating when operating a vehicle, even at slow speeds.
Florida Drunk Driving Statistics
In 2023, Florida reported 6,026 impairment-involved crashes, per Florida Highway and Safety Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) statistics. Of those crashes, there were 898 fatal crashes.
Impaired driving is a serious issue in Florida and poses a threat to everyone on the road.
But drunk driving is no accident; it is a choice that comes at a high cost. Our Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident attorneys want to hold drunk drivers accountable for their negligence and get justice in your case.
Next Steps After A Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident
Taking the right actions after a drunk driving accident can make a significant difference in both your recovery and your legal case.
Report The Accident
Call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or 911 immediately and provide a detailed account of what happened, including any signs of impaired driving you observed.
Law enforcement officers can administer sobriety tests and include their findings in the crash report, key information in proving negligence. If you were unable to file a report at the scene, you can still do so later.
Seek And Follow Through With Medical Care
Follow through with all treatments, from surgeries to rehabilitation and follow-up appointments. Not only is this vital for your health, but medical records also serve as crucial evidence linking your injuries to the accident.
Preserve Evidence
Take photos of the accident scene and your visible injuries, gather witness contact information, and keep documentation related to your crash. This evidence will strengthen your claim.
Avoid Insurance Pitfalls
Insurance companies often aim to limit payouts. Do not provide statements, accept blame, or accept a settlement before speaking with an attorney.
Consult Our Attorneys
Our attorneys know how to navigate these complex accident claims. We will investigate thoroughly, build an evidence-backed personal injury claim, and fight for fair compensation so you can focus on healing.
Discuss Your Case With A Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer In Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you were seriously injured in a drunk driving accident in South Florida, you deserve justice. A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from Anidjar & Levine can help you pursue accountability and fight for the compensation you need to cover medical costs and move forward.
From your first call, we make the process simple. We offer free case consultations. Don’t wait to get the support you need; reach out today for our legal help.
We Can Help.
