Drunk Driving Accidents

St. Augustine Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Drunk Driving Accidents in Florida

Motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers are often more serious and complex than typical car crashes. At the scene of the crash, drunk drivers may be belligerent and unaware of the damage they have caused. Victims are often shaken and understandably upset by the actions of the drunk driver who caused the accident.

Moreover, these circumstances are often the best-case scenario. Frequently, drunk driving accidents are so severe that those involved suffer serious injuries or die at the scene. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), of the 4,984 alcohol-confirmed crashes in 2019 (the latest year for which data are available), 351 were fatal and 262 resulted in incapacitating injuries. Another 1,462 resulted in non-incapacitating injuries. These numbers reflect ongoing statistics that show that every year in Florida, hundreds of people are killed and thousands more are seriously injured by drunk drivers.

If you were injured or if your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, it is important that you contact an attorney who is experienced in drunk driving accident cases. At Canan Law, we have more than 60 years of combined experience and have handled over 250 jury trials. We know what it takes to protect our clients’ rights, and we are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Get in touch with our team today to request a free, no-obligation consultation. Call (904) 849-2266 or submit an online contact form.

How Drunk Driving Accident Claims Are Different from DUI Cases

Like all other states, Florida has a set of laws prohibiting drunk driving. For most people, it is a crime to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% and above. Commercial vehicle operators and underage drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% and 0.02% or higher, respectively.

Anyone who is found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) faces criminal penalties ranging from jail time to fines to driver’s license suspension/revocation. While the purpose of these penalties is, ostensibly, to deter people from getting behind the wheel when intoxicated, they do little to help the actual victims of drunk drivers—those injured or killed in the crash.

To aid those who have suffered serious injuries and damages due to accidents caused by drunk drivers, Florida personal injury law allows victims to bring civil claims/lawsuits against at-fault motorists and/or other liable parties. The purpose of a personal injury or wrongful death claim is not to punish the drunk driver but to compensate the victims for their economic and non-economic losses.

By filing a drunk driving accident claim, you may be able to recover for the following damages:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost income, wages, and other benefits
  • Lost future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Funeral/burial expenses (in the event of wrongful death)
  • Lost or reduced earning capacity due to disability
  • Loss of love, support, guidance, and companionship (in the event of wrongful death)

In some cases, it may be possible to recover punitive damages. Unlike the compensatory damages outlined above, punitive damages are not meant to reimburse victims for their losses but, rather, to punish the defendant for wanton/willful negligence.

Filing a Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident in Florida

Because Florida is a no-fault state, most people who are injured in auto accidents must first turn to their own insurance provider for compensation. Your personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance provides compensation for up to 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages regardless of how the accident happened or who was at fault. However, this is often not enough for those injured in accidents caused by drunk drivers.

Drunk driving crashes tend to result in devastating injuries that have lasting repercussions. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that these accidents often happen at high speeds or without any attempt to brake by the alcohol-impaired driver. Catastrophically injured victims need significant compensation if they hope to heal and move forward from such serious crashes.

If your injuries meet the Florida “serious injury threshold,” which is often the case for drunk driving accident victims, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and bring a lawsuit directly against the drunk driver and/or their insurance provider.

In Florida, your injury is considered “serious” if they meet one of the following conditions:

  • The injury results in significant and/or permanent impairment of an important bodily function
  • The injury results in significant and/or permanent scarring
  • The injury results in significant and/or permanent disfigurement
  • The injury results in death

When one of the above is true, our St. Augustine drunk driving accident attorneys can help you prepare to bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the drunk driver. This allows you to seek full compensation for your damages, including the full cost of your medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Call us at (904) 849-2266 to set up a free consultation with our St. Augustine drunk driving accident lawyers, or reach out to us via our online form.

The Firm You Can Trust In Any of Life's Difficult Situations

Our legal team specializes in a wide variety of practices and we are ready to fight & advocate on your behalf.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help You Fight for Justice

At Canan Law, we understand the extreme emotional and physical toll of a drunk driving accident. Our attorneys have over 60 years of combined legal experience dealing with complicated auto accident cases on city roads and interstates, including I-95, in St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and throughout Northeast Florida. We know what needs to be done, who to talk to to get results, and how to help you get your life back on track.

Our lawyers often:

  • Negotiate with the insurance company: When negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory settlement offer, we can file a claim against the drunk driver’s car insurance carrier demanding full compensation for the losses and injuries you sustained due to the collision.
  • Leverage the driver’s DUI conviction: If the drunk driver is convicted of a crime or leaves the accident scene, this can be used to leverage a better outcome in your civil suit for damages. Note that the outcome of a criminal case does not necessarily affect your civil claim.
  • File a wrongful death suit: If the drunk driving accident resulted in a fatality, we might be able to help recover compensation on behalf of your loved one. By bringing a wrongful death lawsuit, you can work to hold the negligent person or party accountable and obtain justice for your loved one and your family.
  • Pursue compensation through your policy: If the drunk driver does not have automobile insurance coverage, we can help you work to obtain coverage under a specific provision of your plan. This may include filing a PIP claim, an uninsured motorist (UM) claim, or seeking alternative coverage.
  • Seek punitive or “punishment” damages: When a drunk driver negligently and recklessly causes an accident resulting in bodily injury or death, it may be possible to recover punitive damages. These are damages that go above and beyond standard compensatory damages.

Don’t Be a Victim Twice

If a drunk driver injures you or a loved one, it is imperative that you take steps to protect your rights now and in the future. All too often, insurance companies take advantage of victims, disputing or even outright denying their claims. Without the right legal team on your side, you could be left without the compensation you need and deserve.

At Canan Law, we are passionate about standing up for the rights of those affected by negligent and wrongful conduct. We care about our community and its members and make a considerable effort to help our fellow neighbors recover rightful compensation—and deter serious accidents and drunk driving crashes from happening again.

Hear From Past Clients

    He Earned My Respect & Trust

    “Andrew came highly recommended by a friend who is a lawyer. In the courtroom, he is incredibly prepared. In giving advice, he steers his clients down the right road. I feel like was looking out for my best interest.”

    - Chip S.
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    “Everyone at Canan Law was friendly and hospitable. Attorney John Westfield was very professional. He listened very well and always had our best interests in mind. Most importantly, he was prepared in court.”

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    “Their entire team was very professional and knowledgeable about my specific case. They took time to explain in detail what they were doing every step of the way. I was EXTREMELY satisfied with the end result.”

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    “A wealth of talent at this firm. Responsive and direct; they valued my time and money. My outcome was exactly what I expected despite the many changes that I presented them.”

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    “I was very pleased with every aspect of Canan Law. They walked us through a difficult situation and were available and courteous throughout. I felt they heard and understood me.”

    - Dana P.

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