
When individuals choose to drive after drinking alcohol, they can be responsible for any accidents that they cause. If drunk driving accidents involve personal injuries or property damages, the drivers may be liable or financially responsible for those injuries and other losses.
You may not know what to do after a drunk driving accident. You can count on a Lehigh Acres car accident lawyer from our law firm to fully explain your rights and options after a drunk driving accident that has injured you or a loved one.
Insurance Coverage for Parties Injured in Car Accidents
Florida Statutes § 627.7407 recognizes that all drivers must maintain a minimum level of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. PIP policies provide limited compensation for medical expenses and lost wages following an accident, no matter who is at fault for causing the accident.
If you suffer severe injuries that meet specific definitions under Florida law, however, you may have a claim against the insurance policies covering those who are at fault for the accident, such as the drunk driver. You then can seek a variety of damages from the driver or other responsible parties in order to fully cover your losses.
Damages That You May Recover After a Lehigh Acres Drunk Driving Accident
You may be eligible for compensatory economic and non-economic damages if you sustain injuries in a drunk driving accident. In some cases, you may even qualify for punitive damages. Every case is different, and the amount of damages can depend on how serious your injuries are.
Economic Damages
Economic damages relate to direct monetary losses that you experience as a result of an accident. Common economic damages in drunk driving accidents may include:
- Medical bills
- Costs of rehabilitation and home health care
- Lost current and future income
- Repairs to or replacement of your vehicle
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages do not relate to a specific economic loss, like medical bills, but are another form of compensation for which you may qualify. Non-economic damages might include compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental or emotional trauma
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Losses to quality of life
Ways That Our Law Firm Can Help You with Your Drunk Driving Accident Case
We handle all aspects of your drunk driving accident case from start to finish. For instance, we will:
- Investigate the circumstances that led to your accident
- Determine who is potentially at fault for your accident
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Document your injuries and other accident-related losses
- Communicate with the insurance company about your case
In addition, we can handle some of the more routine tasks that come with any sort of motor vehicle accident so that you can focus on your medical needs. These tasks might include:
- Arranging to get your car fixed
- Making appointments for you to get medical care
- Giving you updates about your case
- Ensuring that you understand every stage of your proceedings
Affordable and Comprehensive Legal Services for Injury Victims
Our goal is to make our quality legal services available for all victims of drunk driving accidents and their families. We offer everyone a free initial consultation about their case. The consultation process allows us to understand what happened during your accident and what injuries you have suffered as a result.
Next, if you choose to hire our law firm, you pay us nothing up front. We will get to work right away on your case without you having to pay us money out of pocket. We know that you may have extensive and unexpected expenses right now, and we will not add to your financial concerns.
Ultimately, you pay us for our legal services out of any settlement or damages award that you receive in your case. You pay us nothing until you get your case resolved and receive compensation for injuries and other losses.
Potentially Liable Parties in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
In most cases, injured parties look to the drunk driver for liability after a drunk driving accident. However, the drunk driver is not always the only party who may be responsible for the accident and your resulting losses.
For instance, if the drunk driver was working for another person or company at the time of the accident, the employer might be liable for the accident. Typically, employers are responsible for the acts of their employees while on the job. Similarly, if the drunk driver was a government employee, a city, town, or state might share responsibility as the employer.
Parents of a minor drunk driver could be liable if their child causes an accident that injures others. Additionally, under Florida Statutes § 768.125, any liquor store, bar, or other establishment that gives alcohol to a minor or a person with a known addiction to alcohol might be liable if the person later drives and causes an accident.
Deadlines for Filing Your Lehigh Acres Drunk Driving Accident Case in Court
Florida places strict deadlines on the ability of injury victims to file their personal injury cases in court.
If you miss this filing deadline or statute of limitations, you likely will lose all opportunities to get compensation for your injuries. Getting legal advice about this deadline is important to protect your legal rights after a drunk driving accident.
Work with a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney at Our Law Firm
Connect with our drunk driving accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today and learn more about your options for legal recourse after a drunk driving accident.
Call us today to get a free consultation about your case. Allow us to help you through the aftermath of a Lee County drunk driving accident in which you or your loved one has suffered injuries.