West Palm Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Drunk driving is a serious problem in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 461 people were killed by drunk drivers in 2016, in line with fatalities from previous years. In addition to fatalities, thousands of people suffer devastating physical injuries that require a trip to the emergency room.
At Leifer & Ramirez, we are proud to represent the victims of drunk driving. To receive compensation for your injuries—and to hold the driver accountable for his or her bad conduct—you need a West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyer to represent you.
Holding All Parties Accountable
In a lawsuit, you can certainly hold the driver accountable for choosing to drink and drive. However, there might be other parties you can also hold legally liable. Florida law allows injured victims to sue anyone whose negligence injured you. In the context of a drunk driving accident, you might be able to sue any of the following:
- Bartenders
- Dram shop owners
- Doctors
- People who served alcohol to minors
Often, it is not apparent whether you can hold these other parties responsible in addition to the driver. This is where a drunk driving accident lawyer proves their worth. At Leifer & Ramirez, our attorneys can thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding your accident and seek a compensation from all possible parties.
Criminal Cases and Personal Injury Lawsuits
Drunk driving is a crime in addition to a civil wrong. For this reason, the state will probably prosecute the driver for breaking the law. Florida imposes stiff penalties on drunk drivers which should hopefully deter them from getting behind the wheel when intoxicated again.
However, criminal cases are separate from civil cases brought for personal injuries. As the victim, you can pursue compensation through the courts by bringing a negligence lawsuit, which is independent of any criminal prosecution the driver faces. The evidence will be similar, but you do not need to wait for the criminal case to finish before you pursue compensation. Instead, you can bring a lawsuit when it works for you.
Furthermore, there is a lower burden of proof in civil cases. You will need to show that the defendant was negligent by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that it is more likely than not that they caused your injuries. In a criminal case, conversely, the defendant must be shown guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a much higher standard.
Speak with a West Palm Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer.Call Leifer & Ramirez Today
Drunk drivers cause millions of dollars of damage every year in the form of medical expenses and lost work productivity. If you or a loved one has been injured, you need compensation for your injuries—and you need it now.
Contact Leifer & Ramirez today. Our car accident lawyers know how to build a case against a drunk driver and anyone else who is responsible for your crash. We offer a no-strings, free consultation to injured victims to help them better understand their options. To schedule yours, please send us a message or call us.
