Tampa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Drunk driving is still one of the leading causes of death and catastrophic injuries on our roads, despite significant efforts over the past few decades to curb intoxicated driving. Every year, thousands of Florida road users are seriously injured in collisions involving drunk drivers. If you or a loved one is a victim of another driver’s unacceptable choice to get behind the wheel while inebriated by alcohol, The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. is here to help you seek justice. Our Tampa drunk driving victim lawyer will aggressively pursue substantial and fair compensation for your damages by filing a personal injury claim for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage, and much more.
Damages in a Drunk Driving Crash
As the victim of a drunk driving collision, damages that you may be entitled to—whether you were the passenger of the drunk driver, an occupant of another vehicle, or a non-occupant such as pedestrian or bicyclist—include the following:
- Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses
- Future cost of medical care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other expenses, such as childcare
- Non Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of joy of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Comparative Negligence and the Importance of Establishing Fault in a DUI Crash
As with any traffic collision, a victim must establish fault; in order for a personal injury claim or lawsuit to be successful, it must be proven that the defendant’s negligent actions contributed to the incident. Not only must their actions contribute to the collision, but they must account for more than 50 percent of the cause. Florida’s comparative negligence doctrine requires that an at-fault defendant’s actions must contribute to greater than 50 percent of the cause for the crash in order for a plaintiff to receive compensation. The statute specifically states that “any party found to be greater than 50 percent at fault for his or her own harm may not recover any damages.” When it comes to a crash with a DUI driver, establishing fault is much easier than in cases where the other driver is sober. However, Florida’s comparative negligence doctrine can reduce your take-home compensation by the degree of your own fault. For example, if you were driving at dusk without your lights on and you were struck by a drunk driver who pulled out in front of you, the other party could argue that you are 20 percent at fault, and therefore reduce your compensation by that amount.
Call a Tampa Drunk Driving Victim Lawyer Today
If you were injured by a drunk driver, a Tampa drunk driving victim lawyer can help you pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim, and potentially a lawsuit, against the at fault party for maximum compensation. While no amount of money can undo the harm caused to you, fair compensation can go a long way in helping you get back on your feet. We urge you to take swift legal action today by calling The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
