Lakeland DUI Accident Lawyer
Drunk drivers pose an extreme threat to all motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and statistics reveal that DUI laws have not gone far enough to deter them. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that there are around 135 alcohol confirmed crashes every year in Polk County, causing 16 fatalities and injuring another 85 people. Entire families suffer losses because of one driver’s poor judgment.
Florida law does provide you with legal options if you were hurt or lost a loved one in a DUI accident, but the claims process can be challenging when you’re trying to recover. You can rely on our lawyers at The Pawlowski // Mastrilli Law Group to take on the legal burdens, from filing your claim to going to court as necessary to protect your rights. Please contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a Lakeland DUI accident lawyer, and check out some important information about the relevant laws.
Your Rights as the Victim of a Drunk Driving Crash
It’s a crime for a motorist to operate a vehicle when impaired or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. A conviction could lead to jail time, fines, a driver’s license suspension, and many other penalties. None of these sanctions works in your favor if you were injured in a DUI crash, but you do have legal remedies through the civil law system.
Your first step after a car accident, including one involving a drunk driver, is to file a claim with the motorist’s insurance company. In some cases, you’ll be able to negotiate a fair settlement to resolve your claim. At times, the insurer will not agree to a reasonable amount, so you’ll need to initiate litigation in court. Our team at The Pawlowski // Mastrilli Law Group will navigate the entire process to get the highest monetary damages available under Florida law.
Types of Damages in DUI Accidents
The concept of damages is intended to compensate you for the losses you sustain as the victim of a crash. The point is to put you in the same position you’d be if the collision never happened, to the extent that it’s possible to do so. In a DUI accident, you may be able to recover for:
- Economic damages, including your medical costs, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses; and,
- Non-economic damages, which are more subjective in nature. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and diminished quality of life are examples.
Contact a Lakeland DUI Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Claim
Even if negligence seems clear in a drunk driving crash, you can expect to encounter obstacles when trying to get the compensation you deserve under Florida law. You put your rights at risk if you try to represent yourself, so allow our team at The Pawlowski // Mastrilli Law Group to enforce your rights and seek all available remedies. For more information about our legal services, please call 863-285-3746 or fill out an online form to set up a no-cost consultation today.
