MIAMI DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYER
Drunk driving car accidents often lead to severe injuries or, worse, death. All drivers have the legal duty to promote roadway safety. Drunk driving violates this established rule.
Drunk drivers contribute to the increasing number of car accident fatalities. Drunk driving accidents cost a fortune, especially if you sustain a serious injury from the accident.
Drunk driving accident lawyers are professionals who are adept in the laws surrounding drunk driving accidents. Suppose you or your loved one suffer from the carelessness of an intoxicated driver.
In such cases, you will need the help of an attorney. This is where a drunk driving accident lawyer at The Soffer Firm comes into play.
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HOW HIRING A MIAMI DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP YOU
Drunk driving cases are often hard to resolve since there are known defenses the at-fault driver can use to avoid responsibility. Hiring a drunk driving lawyer can help you present your side of the accident.
A drunk driving accident attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your case. They can help you hold the careless driver liable for the accident his negligence caused.
As stated above, an accident caused by a drunk driver can result in devastating injuries. These injuries can be expensive to treat. A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your sustained injuries. They can negotiate with the insurance company so you can get the highest compensation possible.
Drunk driving attorneys will evaluate your case thoroughly to determine the best strategy you can use. They will help you get through your case while you focus on your recovery.
WHAT IS MY DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?
Drunk driving accidents differ from one another. Because of this, it can be hard to provide an exact amount to determine the worth of your case. Your lawyer will need to take a good look at several aspects before they can give a rough estimate.
Factors such as the severity of the personal injuries sustained and the at-fault driver’s criminal history will come into play. The at-fault driver’s insurance policy will also need to be considered.
In a nutshell, a car accident caused by an intoxicated driver can be complicated. This type of case will need thorough research and investigation to ensure that you will receive fair compensation in the end.
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT STATISTICS
An organization aiming to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking published a report showing the number of drunk driving fatalities in 2018. According to the organization, the United States impaired driving fatalities have decreased by at least 52% since 1982.
The statistic published by the said organization shows the state with the most occurrence of alcohol-related crashes. The graph shows that Texas reported the most numbers in 2018. The state reported 1,439 drunk driving accidents leading the chart.
This is followed by California and Florida, which reported 1,069 and 814, respectively.
- Texas: 1,439
- California: 1,069
- Florida: 814
- North Carolina: 421
- Georgia: 375
The same organization also published a report showing the number of underage drunk driving accidents fatalities.
The chart shows that out of the 814 reported drunk driving fatalities in 2018, 68 of these accidents are from underaged drivers. The graph below shows the amount of underage intoxicated driving incidents per state.
- Texas: 155
- California: 113
- Florida: 68
- North Carolina: 38
- Georgia: 30
FLORIDA'S DRUNK DRIVING LAW
Drunk driving accidents are persistent in certain parts of Florida, particularly in Miami. Impaired drivers are running down the road without a clear head. A motorist driving drunk or under the influence of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited in Florida.
An impaired driver is more likely to cause a car crash. This is because they have compromised roadway judgment. They are more likely to create poor choices leading to devastating accidents.
The state of Florida criminalizes drivers who drive with a blood-alcohol level of 0.8 and above. The drunk driver may face fines of up to $2,000 for first-time offenders. The punishment progresses for each conviction.
Florida law established a set of regulations to minimize the occurrence of such accidents. Florida Statute 768.72 states the defendant is liable for punitive damages if they cause serious injuries to the victim.
For example, suppose a victim sustained traumatic brain injuries from an accident caused by a drunk driver. Then the at-fault driver can be awarded punitive damages for gross negligence.
Under Florida statute 775.089, the defendant has the legal duty to pay the victim for any damages he caused. This is called Restitution. The law states that a defendant is liable for the direct or indirect damages caused by an accident.
The law also requires the defendant to cover the victim’s medical bills. Both medical and psychological care, if the accident affected the mental health of the victim.
The state of Florida also places liability on alcohol vendors. Under Florida’s dram shop law or Florida Statute 768.125, alcohol distributors who sell alcoholic drinks to minors or people with known alcoholic addiction can be held liable for the accident.
However, Florida’s dram shop laws are limited only to the above condition. If the seller sold alcoholic beverages to appropriate customers, then they are free from any liabilities.
These Florida Statutes were made to uphold the safety of all motorists. All drivers have the legal duty to support and promote highway safety.
Hiring an experienced Miami drunk driving accident lawyer can improve your chance of winning your case. Insurance companies may low-ball the amount of your compensation. A drunk driving accident attorney can help prevent this from happening.
TYPES OF DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT CASES OUR MIAMI PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM HANDLES
Our Miami Law Firm can help you with the following cases of drunk driving accidents.
- Rear-end crash: Drunk drivers may have a hard time estimating the distance between two cars. Because of this, they might abruptly stop causing rear-end crashes. Drunk drivers also have delayed response time which makes it hard for them to prevent avoidable collisions.
- Head-on collision: Drowsy drivers may have a hard time navigating the traffic. If the driver falls asleep while driving, they may collide with the car in front of them.
- T-bone crash: A drunk driver may have a hard time comprehending traffic signals and stop lights. Because of this, they might collide with a car while crossing an intersection. When a vehicle hits the side of another vehicle, it is called a T-bone crash.
- Wrong-way crash: Drivers who are too intoxicated may not notice the signs on the side of the road. Often, they turn to a one-way street which can cause an unfortunate car crash.
- Sideswipe collision: A sideswipe collision happened when a driver collided with another motorist driving in the same direction. If a drunk driver unexpectedly swerved towards the other motorist, it could cause a sideswipe collision.
SIGNS THAT A DRUNK DRIVER CAUSED YOUR MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provided the following signs of a Drunk driver causing the accident.
- Delayed reaction time when leaving a traffic light or stop sign
- Weaving between the lanes
- Driving at an unusually slow speed
- Having a hard time focusing and a limited short-term memory
- Impaired hand-eye coordination
- Impaired judgment of distance and timing
Florida law enforcement uses a breathalyzer to identify and confirm the blood alcohol content of a motorist. Knowing these signs of a drunk driver is still helpful to prevent unwanted car accidents.
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT CAUSES LIFE-ALTERING INJURIES TO THE VICTIM
Intoxicated driving accidents may cause severe or life-altering injuries. Some of the most common injuries sustained by vehicular accident victims are as follows:
- Head and Brain injuries: These are injuries caused by an extreme blunt force trauma to the head or neck. This could lead to a broken skull or a traumatic brain injury.
- Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury can lead to total body paralysis. If only some part of the spine is damaged, a victim may suffer partial body paralysis.
- Fractures: Broken bones are common injuries sustained in a collision. Depending on the severity of the fracture, this injury may take some time to heal.
- Internal organ damages: Because of the crash’s impact, some motorists suffer from internal organ damages. This is severe because some organs cannot heal themselves.
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT CAUSES LIFE-ALTERING INJURIES TO THE VICTIM
Intoxicated driving accidents may cause severe or life-altering injuries. Some of the most common injuries sustained by vehicular accident victims are as follows:
- Head and Brain injuries: These are injuries caused by an extreme blunt force trauma to the head or neck. This could lead to a broken skull or a traumatic brain injury.
- Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury can lead to total body paralysis. If only some part of the spine is damaged, a victim may suffer partial body paralysis.
- Fractures: Broken bones are common injuries sustained in a collision. Depending on the severity of the fracture, this injury may take some time to heal.
- Internal organ damages: Because of the crash’s impact, some motorists suffer from internal organ damages. This is severe because some organs cannot heal themselves.
WHO SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR MY MIAMI DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT?
The liability in a drunk driving accident always falls upon the drunk drivers. If they are proven to have a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.8 or above, they are liable for the accident. However, under Florida dram shop law, the alcohol beverage store selling to underage drivers and individuals with known alcohol addiction can also be held liable.
COMPENSATION AVAILABLE TO MIAMI DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT VICTIMS
A car accident victim may receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. The defendant has the legal responsibility to finance the victim’s medical expenses and lost wages. The defendant will also need to assist if the victim suffers from emotional distress caused by an accident.
Car insurance companies may downplay your situation. They do this to prevent spending a lot of money to cover your damages. This is why letting your lawyer speak with the car insurance company is always the best move.
WHY CHOOSE THE SOFFER FIRM FOR YOUR DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT CASE?
At The Soffer Firm, we provide the best quality of assistance to our clients. We lead our clients to the best course of action for their cases. Our entire legal team emphasizes building a solid attorney-client relationship.
We can help you:
- Evaluate your case and provide astute legal advice. We will look at every aspect and devise the best defense strategy.
- Gather solid evidence to support your side. We will collect strong witness testimonials that can help you win your case.
- Communicate with insurance companies to make sure that you will get the best compensation.
Our legal team prioritizes client confidentiality. Because of this, you can be assured that all confidential or sensitive information will be handled promptly. We offer a free consultation for your first visit.
TALK TO OUR SKILLED AND AGGRESSIVE MIAMI DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY
Getting involved in an auto accident is troubling enough. Drunk driving further complicates things. Suppose you or a family member is victimized in such an accident. In such cases, you will need the help of an experienced drunk driving accident attorney.
Call us now at (786) 788-7344. You may also fill out our online contact form. Remember, you should act fast in a drunk driving accident. This can make a massive difference in the outcome of your case.