Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Florida: Get the Compensation You Deserve

Key Highlights

• In Florida, a DUI lawyer assists injury victims in recovering maximum damages for their injuries, including medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and future losses. 
• DUI accidents continue to be an ongoing public safety hazard in Florida, with thousands of DUI accidents occurring every year, resulting in hundreds of deaths. 
• Taking action early gives you the best chance of recovering the maximum amount of compensation and helps protect your rights from large insurance companies. 
• Alpha Law Group provides experienced representation of DUI accident victims throughout Florida, including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and more.

What Does a Best Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Do in Florida?

DUI cases in Florida are distinct from “regular” car accidents due to their more complex legal issues. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys will try to get the maximum return for their client, sometimes sending out adjusters and/or investigators, and attorneys within hours after an accident occurs. If you give a statement too soon after your accident or wait too long to obtain legal assistance, you run the risk of losing your ability to recover for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. There may be issues of DUI laws, dram shop liability, co-defendants, and concurrent criminal proceedings in drunk driving lawyer cases.

Alex J. Kompothecras is an attorney at Alpha Law Group who has helped many people in Florida recover from DUI accidents. Most clients are shocked to find out that even when it feels like the drunk driver caused the wreck, there are still times when that is contested (liability). So it is imperative to collect evidence as soon as possible to protect it. We need to get all the police reports, the blood-alcohol content (BAC) tests and surveillance videos and witness statements as fast as we can or we will have a very difficult time getting compensation for our client’s injuries.

At Alpha Law Group, we strive to help victims of DUI accidents successfully navigate the complexities of DUI law and combat the aggressive tactics of DUI insurance companies that put profit ahead of injured victims recovery. By acting quickly, victims of DUI accidents have a better chance of receiving complete compensation for medical expenses incurred and suffering endured as a result of the DUI accident.

What Is a Drunk Driving Accident in Florida?

DUI, DWI, or “drinking and driving” under Florida law is defined as operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement uses the breath, blood, and/or sobriety tests to determine if someone is impaired with regard to operating a vehicle; for most drivers, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is .08 or greater.

Whenever alcohol is involved, it increases the possibility of an accident occurring and increases the number of people who will suffer severe injuries from accidents caused by alcohol impairment, as well as possibly resulting in the permanent disabilities of some of those injured and leading to death for others. If you’re in Florida and need assistance from an attorney specializing in drunk driving accidents, DUI accidents, or auto accident cases, ask for the help of a qualified attorney.

How Drunk Driving Causes Accidents

Drunk driving leads to accidents due to he way in which both alcohol and drugs impair a person’s reaction time, judgment, and coordination, among other things. Just because a driver appears “fine,” does not mean that they are not impaired; mixing alcohol with prescription medication or marijuana can result in an increased level of impairment for a driver. Approximately one in three fatal traffic crashes in Florida involves impaired driving, either from alcohol, drugs or both.

These impaired driving incidents tend to occur later in the evening, on weekends, and during peak tourism seasons. The ramifications of an impaired driving accident will last a lifetime for the victims and their families.

Florida DUI Accidet Statistics: The Real Scope

Every year, thousands of accidents in Florida are caused by DUI (driving under the influence) related reasons. According to various studies, Florida averages more than 5,000 drunk driving crashes a year, resulting in thousands of injury cases and over 100 deaths due to drunk driving.

• In 2024, the number of alcohol-related or other car accidents grew to over 4,833, with 281 deaths and 2,849 injuries. 
• One-third of fatal traffic accident cases in Florida are due to impairment from alcohol and/or drugs. 
• In each of these cases, the statistics indicate that this poses ongoing challenges for public safety as it relates to families, workplaces, and communities throughout Florida. FHMSV.

These statistics indicate continuing problems with public safety across Florida. Thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths result from alcohol-related traffic accidents each year.

What to Do If You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver in Florida

Call 911 and Get Medical Help

The priority should be obtaining medical care for any injuries you sustained. Call 911 immediately regardless of the severity of the injury. Many injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, may not manifest symptoms initially; however, they can be very serious and have the potential to be fatal.

Stay Safe and Document the Scene

If you have the ability to safely leave the roadway, move yourself and your vehicle to a place that is safe, activate your hazard lights, and take pictures of all vehicles, license plates, injuries, and conditions of the roadway where the accident occurred.

Gather Witness Information

It is always best practice to collect names and phone numbers of witnesses. Their testimony may be very useful for your claim after the accident.

Work with Law Enforcement

Police officers will conduct sobriety tests on the at-fault party and create a report of any impaired state of that individual, which your lawyer will utilize when your civil case goes into litigation.

Notify Your Insurance Company

You must inform your insurance company about the incident, but do not admit that you were at fault or make any assumptions regarding how the crash happened. Allow your attorney to negotiate the settlement on your behalf.

Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Florida Early

Insurers are typically very quick to respond, so getting a qualified attorney onboard early on in the process allows for the greatest opportunity to preserve evidence and obtain the highest possible settlements.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases in Drunk Driving Accidents

Criminal DUI Charges

In Florida, the State brings criminal charges against individuals for DUI to punish illegal behavior. The penalties for a DUI conviction can include fines, loss of driving privileges, the requirement to install an ignition interlock device in your car, the necessity to complete community service, and incarceration (when aggravated circumstances such as injury or death are involved).

In addition to being charged with DUI, the drunk driver is also at risk for being sued civilly by the victim, giving rise to two separate and independent legal actions against them.

Civil Personal Injury Claims

The criminal justice system punishes an offender in criminal cases. A civil claim (or drunk driver lawsuit) in a drunk driving accident is intended to recover your losses, including:

• Medical bills 
• Lost wages/lost ability to earn 
• Damage to property 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional pain and suffering

To prove your civil case, your Lawyer will need to demonstrate that the drunk driver acted irresponsibly (or grossly negligently) and that their impairment was the cause of your injuries.

Can You Sue a Bar, Restaurant, or Social Host in Florida?

Florida’s dram shop liability laws allow a drunk driving accident law firm to hold third parties accountable for serving alcohol to an intoxicated individual, but the scope of liability under Florida’s dram shop law is more limited than many other states. Therefore, establishing liability in Florida under this statute can be much more difficult than in many other states.

In order to be held responsible for the injuries of the victim, you need to prove:

• The business provided alcohol to a minor or an individual who has a drinking problem. 
• The intoxication of the patron caused the accident that resulted in the injury of the victim.

To prove this, you will need to gather substantial evidence to establish the direct connection between the overserving of the patron and the accident. This includes: surveillance videos, receipts, and witness statements.

Does Insurance Cover Drunk Driving Accidents in Florida?

There is a chance that your injury will be covered by the drunk driver’s liability insurance. However, there are also limits to what type of coverage exists under a liability insurance policy, and thus a policy may not adequately cover all your life-long damages resulting from this accident.

While insurance companies often use aggressive defense strategies for drunk driving accidents, such cases often require you to seek an experienced drunk driving accident attorneys who is familiar with Florida law to help you in pursuing recovery for your damages.

How Much Is My Drunk Driving Accident Claim Worth?

There is no “average” settlement amount since all cases are different. Some of the variables that will affect your value include:

• The severity of your injury and your future medical treatment 
• You’re lost wages and your potential ability to earn money in the future 
• The strength of the evidence supporting liability against the driver who caused your accident 
• The amount of available insurance coverage

DUI accidents typically result in severe injuries; there is a wide range of potential settlement amounts in Florida. Only a qualified DUI attorney can review the specifics of your situation and give you a true estimate of what your settlement will be.

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Crashes

Injuries and damages caused by intoxicated driving can be very serious and life-changing. Examples of Types of Serious Injuries and Damages include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Broken bones and fractures 
• Internal injuries 
• Amputations 
• Chronic pain and emotional trauma

All of these can result in the need for Surgery, Extended Physical Therapy, Ongoing Medical Care, and Long-Term Treatment/Supervision. The amount of financial recovery your attorney can seek on your behalf would be directly related to the extent of these injuries or damages.

Case Study: Holding a Drunk Driver Accountable in Florida

By Attorney Alex J. Kompothecras, Alpha Law Group

A Florida man reached out to the Alpha Law Group after he suffered severe injuries as a result of a drunken driving accident on I-95 near Miami. The insurance company for the driver at fault argued that the victim “did not apply his brakes in time” and therefore shifted the blame from the drunken driver to the victim and immediately denied responsibility. Furthermore, the victim’s medical bills were delayed from payment, and the insurance company questioned the severity of the victim’s injuries.

Alpha Law Group’s main goals were to identify all responsible parties, preserve any evidence, and prove that the negligence of the drunken driver was the direct cause of the accident. To do this, the Alpha Law Group quickly obtained the police report, blood alcohol test results, and surveillance video from adjacent businesses to support the claim of the driver’s intoxication. The investigation revealed that the driver’s blood alcohol concentration was .15 percent, which is almost twice the legal limit, as well as a prior DUI conviction, which showed evidence of a pattern of reckless behavior on the part of the driver.

Additionally, the Alpha Law Group obtained accident reconstructionists to establish a direct correlation between the driver’s intoxication and the crash. The results of their investigations determined that even if the vehicle was traveling at a slower speed, the driver would have been able to avoid the collision if he had not been intoxicated.

Result:

The insurance company agreed that they were responsible for our client’s losses after examining all of the information. As a result, our client settled their case and received complete compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses and suffering, completing all these payments without needing to endure a lengthy trial.

This case illustrates the value of acting promptly, preserving evidence and working with an experienced Florida DUI attorney to achieve justice for victims of DUI accidents.

Why Choose Alpha Law Group for Your Case

The lawyers at Alpha Law Group are experienced and committed to drunk driving accident cases in Florida. Here are some examples of our approach:

• We have extensive Florida drunk driving accident lawyers experience: We understand the law applicable to Florida and how Florida’s courts deal with DUI cases. 
• We have access to the best medical and economic experts available: This allows us to fully and accurately assess your loss. 
• We are trial-ready: We prepare each case as if it will go to trial. 
• You will have a legal strategy designed specifically for you: Every decision we make is based on your unique needs and circumstance. 
• We do not charge any fees until we recover compensation for you: You do not have to pay us anything until we recover compensation for you.

In cases where your life has been irrevocably altered due to a drunk driver, experience is the key ingredient of success, especially when a serious injury or wrongful death has occurred.

Conclusion

A lawyer who specializes in drunk driving accidents in Florida is extremely beneficial in helping those affected by such accidents receive the maximum damages possible from their injuries and the effects of their injuries over time. With so many DUI accidents and fatalities each year in Florida, obtaining a lawyer early in the process will ensure that proof of the accident is still available, that all rights of the victim are secured, and that the victim receives the maximum amount of compensation available to him/her.

Alpha Law Group is capable of providing Florida DUI accident victims with experience, a tailored approach to each client’s case, and a strong desire to obtain justice for them. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, don’t wait; call (941)-304-1500 today for a free consultation and get clear answers about your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if you get in an accident while drunk?

If you are a victim of an accident involving an intoxicated driver, you can bring a civil suit against the drunk driver for any injuries or damages that they caused to you. The police should charge the intoxicated driver with a crime.

2. Can you sue a drunk driver in Florida?

Yes, if you are injured in an accident with an intoxicated driver, you can file a civil personal injury lawsuit against that driver to recover the money you lost because of their negligent conduct.

3. Why drunk driving is dangerous?

Drinking alcohol slows an individual’s response time, leads to impaired decision-making ability, and causes a decrease in physical control. Therefore, the chances of a driver causing an accident and or injuring others increase significantly while driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

4. How drunk driving affects families?

Families are affected by DUI accidents both financially, emotionally and physically by loss of income, continued care needs due to chronic incapacitation, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and disrupted lives.

5. What damages can a DUI accident lawyer recover?

An attorney can seek previous and future medical expenses resulting from your accident, wages lost because of your accident, rehabilitation, and the pain and suffering associated with your accident and any other damages directly related to your accident.