Tampa Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer
A drunk driver can devastate countless lives when their reckless and illegal behavior results in death or serious injury to another person. Indeed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 13,000 people die in drunk driver-related accidents each year in the United States. And every single one of those deaths was preventable.
If you or someone in your family has been harmed by the actions of a drunk driver, you do not have to wait for the criminal justice system to act. The Tampa drunk driver accident lawyer at Anderson & Anderson can advise you on filing a personal injury lawsuit. Through a civil action you can recover the full measure of your losses caused by the drunk driver, including your medical bills, lost income, and compensation for your ongoing pain and suffering.
Drunk Driving Is Always Negligent
Florida has strict laws against driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. A first offense is generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor. When someone is injured or killed by a drunk driver, however, those charges may be bumped up to a felony. This means the drunk driver faces the prospect of multiple years in state prison.
Unlike the criminal justice system, the goal of a civil personal injury lawsuit is to obtain compensation for a victim’s losses or “damages.” While a criminal DUI conviction can make it much easier to prove a drunk driver’s negligence, it is not strictly necessary. Indeed, it is possible to seek and obtain compensation from a drunk driver even if they are never charged or convicted of a crime in connection with your accident.
Compensation for a drunk driver accident in Florida may include:
Economic Damages: Your measurable financial losses are considered economic damages. This covers your out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, as well as your loss of income due to taking time off from work to recover from the accident. Economic damages may also cover any property damage, such as the cost of replacing your car and its contents.
Non-Economic Damages: Losses that do not come with a price tag yet still exact a substantial cost are your non-economic damages. This is compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and overall loss of enjoyment of life due to the drunk driver’s careless actions.
Punitive Damages: Economic and non-economic damages are meant to compensate the victim. Punitive damages, in contrast, are a form of civil punishment meant to deter especially reckless conduct. Florida law does not allow for punitive damages in most personal injury cases. Drunk driver accidents are one of the exceptions.
Contact Anderson & Anderson Today
Florida’s no-fault insurance laws mean that many auto accident victims are required to seek compensation under their own policy unless they can prove the negligent driver’s actions resulted in serious injury or death. Unfortunately, drunk driver accidents often meet this threshold. So if you need legal advice or representation from an experienced Tampa drunk driver accident lawyer, call Anderson & Anderson today at 813-251-0072 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
