A drunk driving accident can lead to a whole host of devastating injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, and much more. If you were struck by a drunk driver and it resulted in a personal injury, then you could be entitled to receive compensation.
A drunk driver will face a number of consequences for choosing to drink and drive. They are intentionally putting their own life and other people’s lives at risk. In addition, they are violating their duty of care and also breaking traffic laws. The State of Florida has strict penalties for drivers who decide to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. If you are looking to hold a drunk driver accountable for your injuries, then you should reach out to one of our car accident lawyers today.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to recovering compensation for drunk driving accident victims in Venice and across the State of Florida. Our team of personal injury lawyers is highly trained to deal with road accidents ranging from reckless driving, distracted driving, driving under the influence (DUI), and many others.
If you call our office today, we will set up a free consultation in which a car accident lawyer will talk you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and help you to understand what to expect following a drunk driving accident in Venice.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and a personal injury lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve for your drunk driving accident case in Venice. Phone lines are open 24/7.
Definition of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Venice, FL.
A driver could be arrested for drinking and driving if they were found to be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while they were either under the influence of alcohol, a chemical substance as described in Florida Statute 877.111, or a controlled substance as listed in Chapter 893.
Florida Statute 316.193 also states that a driver can be convicted of a DUI if they have a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or had a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accidents in Venice, FL.
All personal injury claims must be filed within four years from the date that the car accident occurred, according to the statute of limitations in the State of Florida.
If someone you know was killed in a drunk driving accident, then you will have to file a wrongful death claim within two years from the date that the person died.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in Venice, FL.
You might be wondering how to choose the right car accident lawyer following a drunk driving accident in Venice. We understand that it is a hard decision to make, especially if you have suffered injuries, but we are here to make the process easier for you by listing the following questions:
- Does the car accident lawyer have experience in representing people who have been injured in drunk driving accidents?
- Does the car accident lawyer have experience in negotiating and litigating complex cases?
- Does the car accident lawyer have the time and energy to devote to your case?
- Does the car accident lawyer work on a contingency basis, or will you have to pay upfront fees?
- Does the car accident lawyer have a good reputation with their peers and good feedback from former clients?
The above-listed questions are only a few examples of what you should ask a car accident lawyer when you are considering them to represent your case. A drunk driving accident case is a complicated one, and it deserves the right amount of focus and attention. It is important that you hire a car accident lawyer that you can trust and that has your best interests at heart.
What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Venice, FL?
A car accident can be a frightening experience for everyone involved. It is completely understandable that you might feel overwhelmed by the process, especially if you sustained an injury. Our law firm highly recommends that you take the following steps to protect your legal rights and personal safety following a drunk driving accident:
- Remain at the location – You must remain at the place that the car accident occurred. However, if you are in a dangerous position or in the middle of traffic, then you should move to a safer place near the scene of the crash.
- Check for injuries – Your personal safety should always be the top priority. Check to see if you or anyone else involved suffered an injury, and then immediately call for an ambulance.
- Call the police – You are required to call the police to the location of the accident. They will investigate the case and file an official report of the crash (remember to request a copy for your own personal records).
- Gather evidence – It is always a good idea to do your own investigating and gather your own evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes taking pictures of the location, road marks, damage to vehicles, injuries, and more. In addition, get the contact details of any eyewitnesses to the crash.
- See the doctor – You should always visit the hospital and get a check-up as soon as possible following a car accident, even if you think that you survived the crash without a scratch. A doctor will be able to determine your medical condition and any injuries that you might have sustained.
- Hire a car accident lawyer – A drunk driving accident is not an easy case, and you will need a car accident lawyer with the necessary skills and resources to recover the compensation that you are owed. Call The Law Place today to set up a free consultation.
Types of Drunk Driving Accidents in Venice, FL.
Alcohol diminishes a driver’s ability to respond and react in a suitable manner on the road in Venice. The actions of a drunk driver are usually unpredictable, and it is important that you remain alert when you are behind the wheel. Here are some of the most common drunk driving accidents:
- Head-on collision – A drunk driver swerving into the opposite lane makes it difficult for other road users to react to their movements, and this can result in a head-on collision.
- Side-impact collision – A drunk driver who fails to stop at a red light or a stop sign can suddenly hit another vehicle from the side, which results in a side-impact collision.
- Rear-end collision – A drunk driver’s delayed responses will make it harder for them to stop in time, which can lead to a rear-end collision.
- Wrong-way collision – A drunk driver who turns the wrong way on a one-way street can end up in a wrong-way collision on the road or the freeway.
Types of Drunk Driving Injuries in Venice, FL.
Drunk driving accidents can result in injuries that range from minor bruises to serious life-altering injuries. The extent of an injury will depend on the severity of the impact and the circumstances of the crash. Some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Burns.
- Broken bones.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Compensation for a Drunk Driving Accident in Venice, FL.
You might be feeling overwhelmed by the financial pressure after a drunk driving accident, and you will need only the best car accident attorneys to take on your case and recover the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and other related damages. There are two different types of compensation that are available in car accidents: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical bills – If you suffered an injury, then you can receive compensation to cover your hospitalization, doctor’s visits, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost income – If you are unable to work due to your injuries, then you can receive compensation to cover your lost income and future earning potential.
- Property damage – If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged, then you can receive compensation to cover the costs to repair or replace them.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering – If you are suffering from physical pain, mental trauma, or emotional anguish, then you can receive compensation to cover your loss of enjoyment of life or a reduced quality of life since the drunk driving accident.
- Wrongful death – If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, then you can file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation to cover funeral expenses, medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
- Loss of consortium – If you were killed in a drunk driving accident, then your surviving family members can receive compensation to cover funeral expenses, medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
Other Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident in Venice, FL.
The drunk driver is usually the one to blame for a car accident, but there might also be other parties who contributed to causing the crash. The car accident attorneys at The Law Place will help you to figure out what parties can be held liable for your injuries and other damages. Other parties might include:
- A bartender or an alcohol-related business – Florida’s dram shop law states that a company’s liability is covered in a drunk driving accident case. It also states that a restaurant, bar, or hotel can only be held responsible for a drunk driver causing an accident if they were aware that the person has a drinking problem or that they were knowingly serving alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
- An adult giving alcohol to a person under the age of 21 – If an adult is drinking at a private place, then they are the ones responsible for making sure that they do not drink and drive and that they arrive home safely. However, if an adult gives alcohol to a person under the age of 21 and the underage drinker ends up injuring someone in an accident, then the adult who served them alcohol can be held liable.
How to Recognize a Drunk Driver on the Road in Venice, FL.
It is important that you take all of the necessary precautions to prevent an alcohol-related car accident. If you notice a driver who you think might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, then do not hesitate to pick up your phone and call the police. Your action just might save someone else’s life on the road. However, it is not always easy to tell whether someone has been drinking, so you should keep an eye out for signs like:
- Swerving – A drunk driver usually does not stay in their own lane. If you spot someone swerving in and out of their lane, then you can assume that they might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Ignoring traffic signs – A drunk driver can have a hard time reading simple traffic signs, or they might even deliberately choose to ignore the signs. Some of the most common traffic infractions include failing to signal, driving the wrong way, running a red light or stop sign, speeding, and more.
- Driving too fast or too slow – A drunk driver is usually aware that they might have been drinking too much, so they will drive slowly in an attempt to be cautious. In other cases, a driver might not be aware of how fast they are actually going.
- Tailgating – A drunk driver might find it hard to estimate the distance between other vehicles on the road due to alcohol affecting their depth perception.
- Wide turns – A drunk driver tends to have poor judgment, lack of spatial awareness, and problems with depth perception that can lead to high speed or wide turns.
What Will Happen to the Drunk Driver in Venice, FL?
If the police officers find evidence to prove that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time that the car accident occurred, then they will have to face the consequences. The State of Florida has very strict laws on drunk driving, which means that a drunk driver will have to pay large fines, spend some time in jail, and deal with many other penalties.
It is also worth noting that the outcome of the drunk driver’s criminal case will not affect your personal injury claim. You might still be able to recover compensation even if the judge declares that the drunk driver is not guilty.
Contact The Law Place Today in Venice, FL.
If you were involved in a drunk driving accident due to the negligence of another driver, then you could be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries and other losses in Venice. It is not easy to get back on your feet following a drunk driving accident, and our team of car accident lawyers wants to help you achieve justice for your case.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in managing drunk driving accident cases and helping clients to recover the compensation that they are owed in Venice and throughout the State of Florida. Our team of car accident attorneys has won hundreds of personal injury claims over the years, and we know that we can succeed with yours too.
If you are looking for the best personal injury lawyers in town, then you have come to the right place. Our law firm will work hard to investigate your case, gather facts and information, speak to eyewitnesses, build a strong personal injury claim and negotiate with the insurance companies involved to secure the compensation that you deserve following your drunk driving accident in Venice.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and a personal injury lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve for your drunk driving accident case in Venice. Phone lines are open 24/7.