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Injured in an auto accident, medical malpractice, facing criminal charges, or need help with a traffic ticket? Our mission is to form a lasting partnership with every client. Our passion is the people we help and the lives that we help change. So, if you have questions or need assistance—we are here to help.
Regardless of the fact that the Florida legislature has enacted strict DUI laws. Yet, people continue to drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. Causing perfectly preventable crashes. As a result, victims and their families are physically, financially, and emotionally affected. Unfortunately, those are just some of the reasons why our Tampa drunk driving personal injury and wrongful death lawyers will preserve and aggressively assert the rights of DUI victims and their families.
Additionally, as per 2017 statistics, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement made more than 30,000 drunk driving arrests. The City of Tampa also maintains statistics in connection with drunk driving. Previously, in 2016, Tampa reported 2,087 people arrested for DUI. Then in 2017, the number reduced to 1,729. That’s a remarkable 16.8 percent reduction. DUI crashes comprised 14.5 percent of those 2017 arrests. About 80 percent of the arrests involved blood alcohol contents between .08 and .19.
Incidentally, the fact that the other driver was under the influence doesn’t make drunk driving personal injury cases easy. Therefore, our goal is to maximize the proceeds that our clients might receive. A thorough investigation might point to the fact that other persons or entities could also be held liable. They include bars and restaurants, stadiums, special event operators, and even social hosts. In fact, our investigations of DUI accidents are thorough and meticulous. We leave no stone unturned in searching for parties who might be liable in these types of cases.
If a drunk driver causes serious bodily injury to somebody else in an accident, the driver could face a third-degree felony if found guilty. Which is punishable by up to five years in prison or probation. Alternatively, a DUI fatality carries a minimum mandatory four years in prison. Across the state, DUI fatality sentences average about 10 years. One Florida woman who tweeted “2 drunk 2 care” before she got behind the wheel and killed two other women received 24 years in prison.
A drunk driver can also be sued for money damages in civil court, even at the same time that the criminal case against him or her is pending. That case would be heard in a different courtroom with a different judge and jury. The civil case also carries a different burden of proof. In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil case, a lower burden of proof of a preponderance of the evidence exists. What that means is that the allegations are more likely true than not true. We monitor every step of the criminal proceedings against drunk drivers who have injured our clients or caused the deaths of their family members. That’s because some of that evidence can be put to use in a civil personal injury or wrongful death case.
Speed often factors into the injuries and damages suffered in drunk driving accidents. Medical bills and the physical inability of the victim to work can leave a family financially and emotionally overwhelmed. Some common serious injuries consist of:
Assuming that the drunk driving accident victim is able to preponderate in his or her case against the drunk driver, damages can be awarded. Here are some of the damages that are typically awarded in such cases:
The general rule is that you have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury case. In a wrongful death claim, that would be two years from the date of death. Those are strict rules with very few exceptions, so be sure to speak with us as soon as possible. Failure to file an appropriate lawsuit within the time set by the statute of limitations is likely to result in a case being forever dismissed.
Hit by a drunk driver? RHINO Lawyers is a powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”
Lastly, never give a statement to the drunk driver’s insurer without one of our attorneys being with you. That insurer will only try to use your own words against you in the future. If you were seriously injured or lost a family member as a result of the recklessness of a drunk who got behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, contact our offices right away. We’ll arrange for free confidential case consultation and review with you. Not only will we answer your questions, but we’ll advise you of all of your legal options too.
