Every accident that is caused by a drunk driver is an accident that should never have happened in the first place. A drunk driver’s careless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated puts everyone on the road at risk of harm. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you need to contact a caring, compassionate and competent Miami injury attorney who can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for the injuries and losses they cause.
Florida Statistics
According to a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) rating, Florida ranks 14th in the nation for the number of drunk driving traffic fatalities. 26% of fatal auto accidents in the state are associated with drunk driving, and 841 individuals died as a result of driving under the influence in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled data over a longer timespan, noting that 8476 people died in Florida vehicle accidents that involved a drunk driver between 2003 and 2012. While the national percentage of adults who reported driving after drinking too much over one thirty-day period in 2012 was 1.9, respondents from Florida clocked in at 2.1%, a troubling result, given how many people are expected to be driving on state roads throughout the upcoming holiday season.
Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents
Drivers have an obligation to drive in a careful and prudent manner so as not to endanger others on the road. Victims of drunk driving accidents in Florida can seek damages through a civil claim. These claims are typically rooted in the theory of negligence. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care when doing something, thereby causing injury or harm to another. Reasonable care is defined as the level of care that a prudent person would have used under the same or similar circumstances. A drunk driver would be liable for any accident he or she causes because a driver using reasonable care would not operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol understanding the serious risk of accident and injury associated with such behavior.
Compensation for Drunk Driving Accidents
Victims of drunk driving accidents can recover a variety of damages including, but not limited to: medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future income, pain and suffering and property damage. In addition, victims of drunk driving accidents may be able to seek punitive damages as well.
Skilled Miami Auto Accident Attorneys
A drunk driving accident can tear your life apart in an instant. If you or a loved one has been a victim of impaired driving, our hard-working Miami injury attorneys can help you understand your rights. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve for their harm. While we know that no amount of money can undo the harm that you have suffered, it can help you move on with your life. Call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or reach out to us online today.
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58-Year-Old Driver Killed After Pulling Over on a Florida Highway, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, November 20, 2018
20 Dead in Limo Crash, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, November 20, 2018
NHTSA Data Shows Spike in Large-Truck Occupant Deaths, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, November 20, 2018