All drivers on the road have a duty of care that they are expected to uphold to keep other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians as safe as possible and prevent car accidents. However, when a driver drinks or takes drugs and then drives, they are dismissing this duty and are putting everyone’s lives at risk.
This is especially true for truck drivers. Because of the much larger size and weight of trucks, plus any added cargo they may be carrying, accidents involving trucks almost always result in more destruction than accidents involving smaller vehicles. Many truck accidents end up being fatal, and the survivors are often left suffering from debilitating and serious injuries which can completely change their lives.
Because of the undeniable danger caused by truck drivers who operate their vehicle under the influence, it’s crucial that you get the justice you deserve if you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Port Charlotte, Florida. If the accident was not your fault, then you could be entitled to thousands in compensation.
To give yourself the best chance at winning your personal injury lawsuit, you’ll need the help of an experienced and skilled truck accident lawyer. Our accident attorneys at The Law Place have over 75 years of combined experience in helping clients just like you and dealing with the Florida legal system, so if you choose to work with us, you’ll know that you’ll be working with some of the best.
To discuss your case with us in detail, contact The Law Place today and schedule a free consultation at (941) 444-4444!
What is a DUI?
Drinking and driving is not actually a crime in Florida. However, it is illegal to drive after you have reached a certain level of impairment caused by alcohol or drugs. This is then known as driving under the influence or committing a DUI.
Under state law, drivers will be considered to be driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content or breath alcohol content is 0.08% or higher. This is because it’s determined that they are a danger to others if they decide to drive after having consumed this much alcohol.
When a driver has consumed too much alcohol or any drugs, they could experience the following:
- Slower reaction times.
- Poor concentration.
- Reduction in coordination.
- Impaired vision.
- Inhibited judgment.
Because of the above effects, if a truck driver drives under the influence, they vastly increase the possibility of causing an accident. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck DUI crash, then you should contact The Law Place. The accident likely was not your fault, and so you could be entitled to compensation. To receive professional legal advice based on your specific case, schedule a free consultation with one of our Port Charlotte personal injury lawyers today!
DUI Laws for Minors in Florida
In the state of Florida, there is a zero-tolerance policy for minors who have been caught in possession of alcohol and driving under the influence. Under Florida law, a minor is classed as someone who is under 21 years old.
There are different DUI laws for minors. For people under 21, it is illegal to operate a vehicle if they have a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or above, an incredibly narrow threshold. If a minor is arrested for a DUI, then they will receive an automatic driver’s license suspension for up to six years.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day.
Injuries Often Sustained in DUI Truck Accidents
As with any other motor vehicle accident, a truck accident can result in severe injuries for everybody involved. However, because of how large trucks are and the combined weight of the truck and cargo, the severity of injuries is often intensified.
Some of the most common injuries caused by DUI truck accidents are listed below:
- Lacerations, cuts, bruises, soreness, and burns.
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Traumatic brain and head injuries.
- Back and spinal cord injuries.
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash.
- Internal bleeding.
- Internal organ damage.
- Wrongful death.
Truck accidents may also leave accident victims suffering from trauma and great emotional distress.
If you have been involved in a DUI truck accident in Port Charlotte and experienced any injuries or losses, then you should get in touch with The Law Place and schedule a free consultation as soon as possible. Regardless of how minor or devastating you think the impacts of the accident were, you could be entitled to compensation.
Our personal injury attorneys will work with you to determine who was at fault for the accident and fight tirelessly for the compensation and justice that you deserve. So call us now and arrange a free consultation with our reputable lawyers!
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Florida’s Comparative Fault Law
Florida has a comparative fault law, which can be found under Florida Statute 768.81. This law means that any party involved in a truck or car accident could be assigned a percentage of fault based on the specific circumstances of the incident. This means that, even if you were a victim of a DUI truck accident, you could still be determined to have been partially at fault if you acted in a way that led to or exaggerated the crash.
For example, suppose you were on your phone just before the accident. In that case, a Port Charlotte court could declare you to be 20% at fault for the accident, as you were also driving negligently and potentially could have prevented the crash if you’d been paying adequate attention to the road. While you’d still be able to file an accident claim if you’re deemed to be less than 50% at fault, the final settlement you receive will be reduced by 20% if you win compensation.
This law can be hard to understand and predict if you’re filing your lawsuit by yourself, which is one of the many reasons why we recommend that anyone in your position hires a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. An attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and provide you with important and reliable advice and knowledge. In addition, by working with the accident lawyers at The Law Place, you will be giving yourself the best chance at winning your lawsuit, so don’t hesitate to contact us and book a free consultation!
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Damages Commonly Awarded After a DUI Truck Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
Victims of truck accidents often suffer from not just with the physical injuries and emotional trauma caused directly by the crash but also with a staggering amount of financial losses. These losses are usually because of medical bills, property repairs, lost wages, and more.
A personal injury lawyer will help you claim the compensation that you deserve to cover these losses. Once you begin working with an attorney, they’ll establish who the negligent party is and assess the number of losses you’ve endured and how much compensation you could be owed.
Below are the damages that The Law Place often recover compensation for:
- Medical bills – If you were seriously injured in the accident and required medical attention for these injuries, then you deserve compensation to cover any medical expenses you incurred. This includes related expenses, such as prescriptions, travel to and from appointments, surgeries, and more.
- Property damage – If you had to pay to repair your vehicle after it was damaged in the accident, then you should be reimbursed for the costs.
- Lost wages – If the injuries left you unable to attend work for a period of time, then the wages you lost and are predicted to lose could be covered by compensation.
- Permanent disfigurement or disability – If the accident left you suffering from a permanent disfigurement and/or disability, then you deserve compensation.
- Pain and suffering – If you’ve suffered from emotional distress and your quality of life has been reduced due to the accident, then you may be entitled to compensation. This is often difficult to prove in court, so it’s important you have the help and representation of a skilled accident attorney.
- Wrongful death – If you lost a loved one in a DUI truck accident in Florida, then you could be owed compensation for funeral costs and loss of consortium.
We understand that no amount of money can heal the injuries and trauma that you’ve sustained, but it can help you manage the financial burdens you’ve been left with and can serve as proof that some justice has been served.
So if you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Port Charlotte or elsewhere in Florida, then contact The Law Place today and begin your journey to justice.
Why You Need a Florida Trucking Attorney on Your Side
If the truck driver is involved in the accident drives for a large trucking company, it’s especially crucial that you have an accident attorney on your side when filing your lawsuit. The company will have likely dealt with multiple accidents involving their vehicles and drivers before, meaning they’ll probably already have procedures in place to protect themselves and their drivers. They may have their own legal representatives and insurance companies, who could be collecting evidence to reduce the severity of your claim right now. They will fight to ensure they pay out as little as possible.
In order to counteract the efforts of the trucking company, you’ll need an experienced accident lawyer on your side. The attorneys at The Law Place are fully capable of supporting you through the legal process, building a solid case, and representing you in court. We will fight tirelessly to get the justice that you deserve, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Much Will My Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many people are reluctant at first to hire a personal injury attorney because they’re concerned that quality legal representation will be too expensive, especially when they’re already struggling with the financial burdens caused by the truck accident.
However, if you choose to work with our law firm, you can rest easy knowing you have nothing to fear. At The Law Place, the truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, also known as a no-win-no-fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay us anything if your case is unsuccessful. Furthermore, even if your case is successful, we will only subtract our legal fees from the settlement you receive, meaning that you won’t pay us anything out of your own pocket.
And, because The State Bar Association monitors all the contingency work that we undertake, you can trust that we will be completely transparent with you about our legal fees.
Contact The Law Place Today
Devastating DUI truck accidents occur much too often in Port Charlotte, Florida, and the victims and their families are often left unfairly suffering, even if the accident wasn’t their fault. So if you have been involved in a DUI truck accident in the past four years, then The Law Place can help you seek the justice that you deserve.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys have an abundance of experience, and so you know that you can trust their professional opinion and advice they give you. Our team will work diligently on your behalf and use all of their knowledge and resources to build a strong, solid case.
We will fight tirelessly to secure the compensation and justice that you deserve, so don’t hesitate to contact us today! For more information specific to your case, then contact us to schedule a free consultation so you can speak to a reputable and skilled lawyer.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call us today at (941) 444-4444!