Steps Florida Residents Can Take After Being Injured in a DUI Accident
When it comes to drinking and driving in the United States, the statistics are startling. Drunk drivers are far more likely to cause car accidents than non-impaired drivers, with over 10,000 people dying in alcohol-related crashes per year. Impaired driving costs the American people almost $50 billion per year in property damage and even more in health care costs. If you are in a car accident caused by the actions of a drunk driver, you are entitled to compensation for injuries you suffer as a result. Here is a short guide to personal injury suits and drunk driving.
How Does Drinking Affect Driving?
As a depressant, alcohol can severely affect a person’s ability to safely operate their vehicle, day or night. Drinking slows down a person’s reaction time, meaning that it can take too long to react to objects in the road, traffic lights, and other hazards that drivers have to deal with. The more they ingest, the more likely they are to speed, swerve, and drive on the wrong side of the road. To double up the danger, alcohol can give a person the false belief that they are okay to drive when they are not. This reduction in good judgment is just another way a drunk driver puts others on the road at risk.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Suits
If a drunk driver causes an accident, they can be held liable for their negligent actions. In addition to damage to the other vehicle, the drunk driver can also be held liable for medical bills, future necessary treatments or therapy, lost wages, and other costs related to the accident. Sadly, sometimes these accidents can result in loss of life. The victim’s family can then file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover medical and burial costs and compensation for the loss of their loved one. These are two different lawsuits with different damage categories, so be sure to talk to a personal injury attorney to help guide you through the process.
After The Accident
The first thing to do is to make sure that everyone is okay, and to contact emergency health services should anyone need immediate help. Then, call the police to inform them of the accident and allow them to question the other driver and passengers and take an incident report. If the other driver has been drinking, the police will perform roadside sobriety tests and take them into custody if it is necessary. Take pictures of the damage with your phone and let your insurance company know that you were in an accident. In the following days seek medical attention to make sure you haven’t suffered any lingering injuries in the crash. Some physical damage may take hours or days to manifest, and could be dangerous if left untreated. Head and spinal cord injuries and internal bleeding can be deadly if you don’t get proper treatment. Then, be sure to seek legal help. The aftermath of a car crash can be a traumatic and chaotic time, so seeking the knowledge of a personal injury attorney is vital. They can guide you through the process of recovery and represent your rights at every stage along the way.
Contact A Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Personal Injury Case in Florida Today!
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a drunk driver in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured in DUI accidents in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach, Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Sarasota and St Lucie counties. Call 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, and Plantation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.