Boca Raton Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Leifer & Ramirez proudly represents victims of drunk drivers in Florida. Driving under the influence of any type of alcohol or drug, even prescription drugs, greatly affects the safety of everyone. Whether it is another driver, passenger, bicyclist or even pedestrian, everyone is at risk when a drunk driver is behind the wheel, contact our Boca Raton drunk driving accident lawyers today.
Drunk-Driving Accidents are Deadly
Drunk drivers are one of the leading causes for deadly accidents in the country, right alongside distracted drivers. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- 14 percent of drivers in fatal crashes in 2011 were driving while mediated, drunk or drugged.
- In 2011, drivers with blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of 0.08 or higher were responsible for almost 9,900 deaths.
- 29 percent of traffic deaths in 2011 were caused by drivers with BAC levels over the legal limit.
- It is estimated that 10,000 people die each year in DUI-related car accidents.
If you have suffered from an injury or loss because of a drunk driver, you have the right to hold that person accountable for their actions.
It May Not Just be the Driver Who is Responsible
While the driver is ultimately responsible for getting behind the wheel while under the influence, he or she may not be the only party held responsible in your personal injury case. Florida state law does allow you to initiate your lawsuit against the driver as well as any other parties who are responsible for causing your injuries. You will need to show that the driver as well as the third party was responsible.
Drunk driving means that the driver was negligent. But, other parties may be considered negligent too, since they allowed the driver to leave and get behind the wheel drunk. The third party also owes a duty of reasonable care to the rest of the public; therefore, they should have prevented the drunken driving accident. Some third parties you may be able to list in addition to the driver include:
- Dram shop owners
- Physicians
- Bartenders
- Private party hosts
- Individuals who knowingly served alcohol to a person under the age of 21
Criminal Charges Apply
The individual that caused the drunk-driving accident will face criminal penalties in addition to your personal injury lawsuit. If they were underage and caused an accident while drunk, then they will still face criminal penalties. Depending on how many previous offenses they have, they may even face a significant amount of jail time. If a death occurs, the individual could be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
A guilty verdict, however, isn’t required to win your personal injury case. Because criminal cases require different levels of evidence and must prove a person was guilty behind a reasonable doubt, they are not as easy to prosecute. Civil cases, on the other hand, just need to prove the person acted negligently.
You Have the Right to a Settlement
You have the right to a fair settlement from the drunk driver for your financial and non-economic damages. Some of the financial damages Leifer & Ramirez may be able to retrieve for you include, but are not limited to:
- Medical Bills
- Long-term Medical Care
- Property Damage
- Hospitalization
- Lost Wages
- Funeral Costs
Non-economic damages refer to those damages that are not financially recoverable. For example, you may receive non-economic damages for the pain and emotional suffering for your accident. If you lost a loved one to a drunk driver, then you can also sue that driver for wrongful death as well as the loss of companionship and even future earnings.
All it takes is a skilled car accident attorney Boca Raton to file your claim and help you recover the full amount of damages you are entitled to as a drunk driving accidents victim.
Contact Boca Raton Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez Now
At Leifer & Ramirez, our car accident lawyers understand how someone driving under the influence can cause devastating injuries and damage in an accident. We are aggressive advocates for our clients. We believe a successful case starts with an experienced Boca Raton auto accident lawyer. We are here to bring justice against those that choose to drive while under the influence and we will ensure you get the best possible settlement for your case.
Our Boca Raton drunk driving lawyers can help you file your own claim and we will fight aggressively for your right to a settlement. Contact us now, there is no fee to hire us—and we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
