Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Have you or a family member been hurt in a crash caused by someone’s careless choice to drink and drive? These situations often bring stress, anger, and concerns about what lies ahead.
At The Leach Firm, P.A., we understand the weight you carry right now and want to share information that may help you through this challenging period. Our team works to guide those injured by intoxicated drivers, fighting for fair compensation to ease the financial and emotional burdens that follow these collisions.
The Devastating Impact of Drunk Driving Accidents
Daily life can flip upside down when another person decides to drive under the influence of alcohol. Serious injuries lost wages, or even the untimely death of a loved one can shatter a family’s sense of security. Surviving individuals may face a long road of medical treatments and physical discomfort.
The heartbreak extends well beyond physical injuries. Many survivors wrestle with emotional effects—from sleepless nights to persistent worries about future stability. When a drunk driver’s actions change your life in an instant, you deserve caring legal support that respects your needs.
How The Leach Firm, P.A. Can Help
Our personal injury attorneys have devoted years to assisting clients hurt by drunk drivers throughout Florida and Georgia. We handle every aspect of the legal process so you can place your primary focus on your health, family, or mourning. Our firm’s approach aims to ease your burden while we strive to gather supporting evidence and build a strong case.
We assess all circumstances surrounding the crash. That includes reviewing police evidence, traffic camera footage, or testimony from those who witnessed the events. Our goal is to help you pursue proper payment for medical costs, missed paychecks, and other losses that may extend well into the future.
Below are a few key ways we support injured individuals seeking compensation:
- Gathering thorough documentation of your physical injuries and accident details
- Dealing with insurance carriers and complicated legal paperwork on your behalf
- Collaborating with local support services to locate vehicle repair shops or medical providers
- Pursuing the highest possible amount to assist with your financial and emotional healing
By allowing us to take on these responsibilities, you are free to attend medical appointments, focus on daily life, and give yourself time to heal.
Damages and Compensation Available to Drunk Driving Accident Victims
A variety of damages may be owed to victims of a drunk driving accident. These include amounts linked to medical care, property damage, and intangible losses such as pain and suffering. We frequently see claims involving high costs for hospital stays, medications, and follow-up procedures. The recovery process can also affect your ability to earn wages or return to past work duties.
Two main categories often come into play: compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages help with economic setbacks like medical expenses or lost income, and may also address non-economic harms like emotional turmoil. Punitive damages, on the other hand, serve as a means to penalize gross misconduct or a remarkable lack of regard for others’ safety, including reckless drunk driving behavior.
Potential Damages Overview
| Type of Damage | Examples |
| Medical Costs | Emergency treatment, hospital stays, rehabilitation, future therapy |
| Lost Earnings | Wages missed during recovery, reduced ability to work |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical discomfort, emotional anguish, reduced quality of life |
| Punitive Damages | Potentially awarded if the driver’s behavior was especially reckless |
Punitive damages are not guaranteed in every drunk driving case. However, if the driver’s conduct showed extreme disregard for the well-being of others, courts at times grant these additional sums to underscore the seriousness of such recklessness.
Establishing Liability in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
Bringing a successful claim typically requires showing that the driver’s impaired state caused or substantially contributed to your injuries. We often rely on police documentation, witness statements, blood alcohol results, and medical records to build that connection. Each piece of evidence can strengthen your position by demonstrating fault.
In Florida, a rule known as modified comparative negligence can influence how much someone can recover if they partly contributed to the crash. Under this legal standard, you remain qualified to seek damages if you are not found to bear a major share of responsibility, but recovery is proportionately reduced by your percentage of fault. This underscores why a thorough investigation to confirm that the drunk driver bears primary responsibility is so vital.
When we investigate a crash scene, we focus on important details such as road conditions, posted signage, and other vehicles involved. Our team compiles facts that point to the driver’s violations, whether they ran a red light or drifted into another lane. By ironing out these specifics, we strive to present clear proof of improper behavior behind the wheel.
The Role of Dram Shop Laws
Some accident claims may extend beyond the impaired driver alone. Florida has measures known as Dram Shop laws, which can place partial accountability on establishments or individuals who knowingly supply alcohol to those underage or to people with known alcoholism issues. If that person later causes injury while driving impaired, the party who provided the alcohol could share liability.
These rules can apply to local bars, nightclubs, or civic organizations that continue to serve obviously intoxicated individuals. Though the parameters can be narrow, exploring Dram Shop liability may help strengthen your claim, offering another route to pursue payment for losses.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations
Timing is crucial when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit after a drunk driving crash. In Florida, injury victims generally have up to four years from the date of the accident to file. For wrongful death suits, the window is typically two years. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from taking legal action, leaving you to shoulder all resulting costs alone.
Our attorneys keep an eye on filing timelines to help ensure that you do not miss important cutoffs. We also know the significance of quickly securing evidence or records before they become unavailable or harder to track. Delays can lead to issues with evidence, so we encourage individuals harmed by a drunk driver to seek legal guidance sooner rather than later.
Contact The Leach Firm, P.A. for a Consultation
If a drunk driver harmed you or someone close to you in Florida or Georgia, please reach out to The Leach Firm, P.A. for a consultation. Our firm strives to give your case individualized attention, working toward outcomes that can support you and your loved ones through this unsettling time. We’re here to listen, answer questions, and offer personalized direction.
Call us at 844-722-7567 to explore your options. You can also visit the Contact Us page to share details of your situation. Our team stands ready to guide you forward, aiming to lighten the heavy load you now carry and help secure the care and stability you need.
