One of the most catastrophic causes of car crashes is drunk driving, mainly because it’s a completely avoidable situation. What’s more, the damage can ripple across multiple generations of a family if one of their loved ones is hit by a drunk driver, leaving the others to sift through the physical, financial, and emotional aftermath.
Fortunately, there’s a seasoned drunk driving accident attorney who can empathetically guide you through every step of the legal process: David I. Fuchs, Accident & Injury Lawyer, P.A. For over 30 years, this accomplished negotiator has been helping victims of drunk driving get the compensation they deserve in court.
If you were involved in a drunk driving crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, you’ll need a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident lawyer who has both the courtroom experience and intricate knowledge of Florida DUI laws to help you win and increase the value of the settlement you’re after, and David I. Fuchs is the man for the job.
Florida’s DUI Laws Explained
Florida law states that drivers can get charged with a DUI if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.8% or higher, which is the legal limit, or if they’re in “actual physical control” of a vehicle while under the influence. Anyone who caused a DUI wreck will face criminal charges as well as a personal injury lawsuit.
We will use any DUI evidence collected at the scene of the accident to support your case. For example, if the person who caused your drunk driving wreck was arrested or issued a ticket, our Fort Lauderdale attorneys will obtain that information from the police.
Accidents Where a Drunk Driver Caused the Death of Another Driver
In car collisions where one driver’s impairment costs another person their life, we recommend that the surviving family members and loved ones work to preserve their rights under the law, and consider seeking restitution from the negligent driver. Although monetary compensation cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, it can go a long way towards helping with the economic fallout of a tragic DUI accident—funeral expenses, hospital bills, and pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
It is not necessary for the person who was driving drunk to have been apprehended or charged with a DUI in order to sue for damages or personal injury claims. Anyone driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher is in violation of the state’s drunk driving statutes, and can be considered a negligent, or even dangerous driver. Signs of impairment, such as weaving between lanes, or random stopping, are enough for law enforcement officials to pull a driver over, even if their blood alcohol content is below the legal limit. Any legal violation of the state’s DUI laws can help an injured person or someone who has suffered a loss make their case against an impaired driver.
Because drunk drivers tend to have slower reflexes, and cannot react quickly to avoid a collision, these car accidents are more dangerous, and often result in serious injuries. Typical injuries sustained in a drunk driving crash include whiplash, bone fractures or breaks, cuts and bruises, burns, and traumatic brain injury. Any of these injuries could lead to long-term suffering, or even a drastic change in quality of life, and victims can seek financial compensation to cover the expenses these changes may incur. If a DUI accident results in the death of an innocent victim, family members can sue for wrongful death, and restitution for their suffering.
If you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, the Florida car accident lawyers at David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. can help. Contact David Fuchs for a free consultation today.
I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver–Can I Sue?
If you were hit by a drunk driver or if an impaired motorist totaled your car, you can legally sue the other drivers for damages if your injuries are significant and your expenses exceed what your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will cover.
If you were rear-ended by a drunk driver, you may be legally allowed to sue for damages, but it will depend on the severity of your injuries and damage to your car. Only an experienced DUI accident lawyer will be able to prove that the at-fault driver’s reckless behavior incurred significant damages that meet the Florida requirements for filing a drunk driving lawsuit.
Time Limit for Filing Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuits
Florida’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in the wake of drunk driving accidents is four years. This means that from the date of your accident until its four-year anniversary, you can file a lawsuit. Any cases filed after this time window closes will be immediately dismissed, though. This time limit might seem strict, but a dedicated Fort Lauderdale lawyer could help someone keep their case on track after a drunk driving crash.
If You or a Family Member Was Injured or Suffered Death as a Result of a Drunk Driver in Fort Lauderdale, Our Attorneys Can Help
Victims of drunk driving will tell you just how taxing these accidents can be. In addition to working through the difficult emotions that follow, medical bills and a lack of steady income can quickly throw victims into a financial crisis.
However, David I. Fuchs understands this peril well, and for over three decades has been committed to restoring a sense of peace and justice to his clients’ lives, both in and out of the courtroom. To learn more about how a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving car accident lawyer can help you with your case, reach out to us today.
