Drunk Driving Accidents
According to USA Today, 17.4 percent of Floridians drink excessively. This means that they drink four or more drinks at one occasion for women (five or more drinks for men) or that they drink eight or more drinks throughout the week (15 for men). This does not include the person who rarely drinks, yet decides to party for the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve without a plan for how to get home after drinking. If someone has crashed into you or a loved one while driving drunk you need to hold them liable for the injuries you sustained. A Stuart drunk driving accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you get the best compensation possible.
The Outcome of Drunk Driving Crashes
WUSF Public Radio reported that Florida saw 814 deaths as a result of drunk drivers in 2018. While the number is a slight decrease from the 841 deaths in 2017, it is evident that drunk driving remains a problem within our state. Those who do survive a drunk driving crash may initially feel fortunate to have simply survived the scene instead of being part of such tragic statistics, but anyone who suffers injuries in a car crash will still experience financial and emotional burdens. Survivors of a drunk driving crash are faced with costs such as:
- Medical treatment;
- Anticipated medical costs into the future;
- Lost wages from missing work due to injuries;
- Psychological distress; and
- Property damage.
Insurance Claims
Victim’s in a crash should not have to bear the responsibility for paying such expenses. That is why it is crucial you submit insurance claims. If you are a Florida resident you are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which should cover at least a portion of your medical expenses. Beyond that, it will be necessary to seek compensation from the drunk driver’s insurance policy.
A qualified drunk driving attorney can guide you through all of the steps including proving the at-fault party, collecting medical bills and evidence of damages sustained, and how to properly submit a claim. Insurance companies will often try to avoid paying and may even offer an initial settlement that is less money than you deserve in attempts to resolve the case quickly. It is important to accurately assess what your case is worth so that you do not settle for an offer too quickly and fail to receive the financial compensation you will need to cover you into the future.
Contact Us At Sholtes Law Today
Drunk driving crashes are entirely preventable, which can be infuriating for victims whose lives are turned inside out as a result of someone else’s reckless decision to drink and get behind the wheel. We understand the struggles you face in your recovery and want to help you avoid the additional stress of the legal case. Let the qualified Stuart drunk driving accident attorneys at Sholtes Law, PLLC advocate on your behalf. Call us at 855-534-2509 or contact us to set up a free consultation today.
