Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach

Drunk driving is inexcusable. If an alcohol-impaired driver causes an accident and you suffer injuries due to their actions, you have options. 

Meet with a drunk driving accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida. Next, your attorney can pursue justice and compensation as part of a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. 

Blakeley Law Firm has decades of experience. Our Florida personal injury attorneys know how emotionally and financially taxing it is to deal with the aftermath of an auto accident alone.

We handle your drunk driving crash case while you take care of yourself. To learn more, meet with a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer from our team. 

Why Should You Hire Blakeley Law Firm to Help You with Your Drunk Driving Accident Case in West Palm Beach?

The Blakeley Law Firm team has secured over $250 million in compensation for car accident victims and many others. We provide aggressive legal representation and position you to get fair compensation for your drunk driving crash losses. 

Allow our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers to serve as your legal advocates. We are familiar with Florida’s drunk driving laws and how they apply to your case. Our attorneys will find out how your crash happened. From here, we will seek compensation from any at-fault parties. 

In addition, our clients often rave about our work. We have earned many positive client reviews. Our team continues to look for ways to help our clients in any way possible. Contact us today for more information about how we can assist you with your drunk driving collision case. 

Compensation Available in a Florida Drunk Driving Crash Case

Your drunk driving accident attorney in West Palm Beach looks at all aspects of your case as they calculate your losses. They want you to recover economic and non–economic damages. Reasons you can get damages for your accident losses include:

Medical Bills

Following your collision, you are diagnosed with a concussion or other injuries. Your lawyer will advise you to care for your accident injuries for as long as necessary.

Meanwhile, they will account for the costs of your rehabilitation, surgery, medications, and ongoing medical expenses in your compensation request. 

Lost Wages

You cannot earn the income you need to stay on top of your daily expenses due to your accident injuries. Share your pay stubs with your attorney. At this point, your lawyer can add these financial documents to their collection of evidence. This can help your attorney prove that you should be compensated for your current and future lost wages. 

Pain and Suffering

The pain and suffering you experience after your accident can affect you for a long time. Your lawyer can teach you about how much you can get for pain and suffering from a car accident involving an intoxicated motorist. 

Based on Florida Statutes § 95.11, the statute of limitations for a car accident claim is two years. That’s how long you have from the date of an auto crash to ask for damages from the at-fault motorist or other liable parties. Your West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyer submits your claim in alignment with state law and can negotiate a settlement on your behalf.  

Factors in Drunk Driving Accidents That Can Impact Your Settlement Amount 

Your West Palm Beach drunk driving accident attorney may advise you not to accept the first insurance settlement offer you get. They want you to consider a wide range of factors as you decide what to do with a settlement proposal. These factors include:

The Severity of Your Injuries

Broken bones, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other accident injuries can linger. Thus, before you approve a settlement offer, think about whether the proposal gives you adequate compensation for your injury costs now and in the future. 

Car Insurance Coverage

Florida is a no–fault state for car insurance. As such, a drunk driver can be at fault for your accident, and your insurance company could compensate you for your losses. Regardless, your insurance coverage and the other driver’s may not provide you with enough money. 

In this situation, your lawyer may encourage you to proceed with a lawsuit against the drunk driver. 

Property Damage  

Track what it will cost to repair or replace your car after your drunk driving accident. Get multiple estimates, as these give you insights into how much you will have to spend to fix your vehicle or purchase a new one. 

Plus, the estimates can help your West Palm Beach, Florida, drunk driving accident attorney argue why you should get money for your car repair or replacement costs. 

Unfortunately, settlement negotiations will go nowhere if a liable driver’s insurance company repeatedly disputes your claim or refuses to make a reasonable offer. Your lawyer knows how to distinguish a good settlement offer from an inferior one. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your attorney can present your case to a judge or jury. 

What You Need to Know About Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents

West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyers look beyond the motorist involved in your accident in terms of legal accountability and liability. You can request compensatory damages from this motorist if they chose to drive while intoxicated and caused your accident. 

Outside of a drunk driver, other parties can be liable. These include:

Bars and Restaurants (Dram Shops)

A bar or restaurant serves alcoholic beverages to someone underage or habitually addicted to alcohol, and this individual gets behind the wheel and is involved in an accident. It is difficult to prove that a bar or restaurant contributed to a drunk driving accident. 

Yet, your attorney may gather evidence that compels a judge or jury to order a dram shop to pay you damages. 

Employers

Some businesses require employees to drive from point A to point B as part of their jobs. If a worker is driving while intoxicated, they put motorists and other people in danger. The worker can cause a drunk driving accident, and this individual and their employer can be liable for all associated losses. 

Car Owners

There is no reason for a car owner to let a family member, friend, or anyone else operate their vehicle if they believe this individual may be intoxicated. If a vehicle owner allows someone to borrow their car and this individual causes a drunk driving crash, they may have to compensate the accident victims accordingly.  

Evidence You Can Use in a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in West Palm Beach

Your drunk driving collision lawyer in West Palm Beach looks at traffic camera footage, interviews witnesses, and other evidence to determine the people liable for your accident. On top of that, they will collect proof that can make it tough for people at fault for the incident to contest your compensation request. 

The volume and quality of your drunk driving crash evidence can play a role in the outcome of your case. Your drunk driving crash attorney in West Palm Beach conducts an extensive search for proof. Other evidence they may use if they argue your case to a judge or jury includes:

• Accident scene photos and videos
• Witness statements
• Field sobriety tests (FSTs)
• Breathalyzer and blood alcohol content (BAC) tests
• Medical treatment records
• A police report

It is your responsibility to prove negligence. Your West Palm Beach drunk driving crash lawyer wants a judge or jury to see that a liable party violated the law, which led to your accident, injuries, and damages. If they succeed, you are well-equipped to receive compensation that matches your expectations.  

The Role of Negligence in a Drunk Driving Collision Lawsuit

Saying someone is liable for your drunk driving collision does not guarantee that you will receive compensation. Ultimately, negligence can dictate the court’s decision. To boost your chances of getting the case results you want, your West Palm Beach drunk driving crash attorney centers their argument around the following elements of negligence:

• Duty of Care: The defendant must comply with Florida law and federal statutes and avoid any acts that could cause you or others to get hurt. 
• Breach of Duty of Care: The defendant commits a careless or reckless act. 
• Causation: The defendant’s breach of their duty of care leads to your collision. 
• Damages: You have incurred losses because of the defendant’s actions. 

Your lawyer protects your legal rights. They share FAQs and other resources to explain the rights of drunk driving crash victims and their families.

As your lawyer gets your case ready for trial, they develop an argument designed to make the court see that your compensation request is valid and warranted. 

Common Causes of Drunk Driving Accidents

If someone decides to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, they put themselves and others in danger. This individual can cause a drunk driving crash for many reasons, such as:

• Impaired judgement
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Drowsy driving
• Slow reaction time
• Trouble judging the distance between vehicles
• Weaving in and out of traffic

Do not let someone off the hook if they cause a head-on collision, rear-end crash, or any other type of car accident that results in injuries.

After a drunk driving collision, have a personal injury lawyer evaluate your case. Your attorney will help you get compensation you can use to recover financially from this incident. 

Types of Injuries Reported in Drunk Driving Accidents

Get medical care immediately if you are injured in a drunk driving collision. If you do not treat your injuries, they could impact you for the rest of your life. Below are common injuries reported in drunk driving collisions: 

• Lacerations
• Fractures
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• TBIs
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Internal injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Burns
• Amputations
• Chronic pain

Sadly, catastrophic injuries in a drunk driving accident can be fatal. If a family member dies due to severe injuries they suffered in a drunk driving collision, you could have grounds for legal action against any responsible parties. 

When to File a Drunk Driving Accident Wrongful Death Claim

You and your family feel overwhelmed as you cope with the loss of your loved one in a drunk driving crash. Filing a wrongful death claim is unlikely to be a consideration during this challenging time.

But if you meet with a wrongful death lawyer in West Palm Beach, you may discover why submitting a claim can be in the best interests of you and your loved ones. 

A wrongful death claim is an opportunity to get compensation for your late family member’s burial and funeral expenses, loss of income, and other losses. At the same time, you can hold the party at fault for your loved one’s accident responsible for their actions. 

In Florida, you have two years from the date of a person’s death to submit a wrongful death claim. Your lawyer will discuss how wrongful death settlements are paid and other topics relating to your case. If you file a claim, your attorney remains on your side throughout your case, assisting you at each stage of these proceedings. 

Tips to Help You with Your Case

The period following a drunk driving accident may seem unfamiliar and frightening. Use this time well, as doing so will help you recover from your injuries and improve your chances of securing compensation from any responsible parties. Here are tips to help you as you lay the groundwork for a successful case:

• Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor and adhere to medical treatment plans for your injuries.
• Document all of your crash expenses and continue to do so for the duration of your case.
• Do not speak with any at-fault parties or insurance companies about your crash and injuries.
• Do not post content online about your crash and injuries.
• Keep the lines of communication open with your attorney.

Drunk driving crash victims may have legal concerns or questions at different points during their legal proceedings. If you want legal guidance or support, reach out to your attorney. Then, your lawyer can help you make informed decisions as the legal process moves forward. 

Ask for Help from Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in West Palm Beach Who Will Give Your Case Their Undivided Attention

After a drunk driving crash, you are probably physically and emotionally drained, trying to deal with injuries and mounting bills. Don’t let yourself get bogged down; seek help from drunk driving accident attorneys in West Palm Beach. These lawyers will describe your legal rights and what it will take to get justice and compensation from any at-fault parties. 

Blakeley Law Firm is West Palm Beach’s most well–known personal injury lawyer. We’re a trusted choice for drunk driving crash victims who are debating whether to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.

We will work tirelessly to help you with your drunk driving crash case. To get started, schedule a consultation with our experienced team.