Consuming alcohol is a common activity that, when done responsibly by adults, can be a part of a healthy social life. However, consuming alcoholic beverages carries risk and responsibility; those who abuse alcohol or even drink a moderate amount before getting behind the wheel of a car are endangering the lives of others and acting negligently. If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, a DUI accident lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your injuries.
Our law firm takes drunk driving crashes seriously and recognizes the immense cost that intoxicated driving has on countless victims and their families. We aim to help to provide them with the resources and legal representation necessary to pursue these damages to the fullest extent possible and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Why Choose Dolman Law?
Drunk driving accidents can cause devastating losses, especially if a loved one was seriously injured or even killed in the accident. While no amount of compensation can fully amend the damages you've sustained, you deserve retribution for your injuries and the harm that a drunk driver has caused. You might be going through extremely rough times and need someone there to support you not only morally but legally. There may be options you have that you weren't aware of; there may even be information you have about the accident that could be enormously beneficial in your case that you don't know about.
An experienced drunk driving accident attorney can provide answers to your questions and can help you make informed choices regarding the legal action you take.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, has had outstanding success in the past with drunk driving cases and helping accident victims meet their financial and legal goals. We're proud to represent anyone who is a victim of unfair treatment, ignorance, negligence, or simply doesn't know what steps to take to start their legal case. Our proud and respected team will stand with you in your battle to ensure a victorious result.
Measures to Combat Drunk Driving Crashes
Driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit can seriously impair a driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle, which can lead to severe consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30 people lose their lives every single day in fatal car accidents that involve a driver impaired by alcohol. In 2020, 11,654 were killed in DUI crashes, and over 1.4 million were arrested and charged for driving under the influence.
In 2013 alone, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were approximately 13,000 DUI Violations in the Tampa Bay area alone; this includes the Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Pasco counties.
Drunk drivers are often repeat offenders; there are, however, attempts being made to give harsher penalties and criminal charges to drunk drivers who operate above the legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that are currently in effect.
Sobriety Checkpoints
In Florida, as well as 37 other states in the U.S., actively use Sobriety Checkpoints, which are set up and manned by officers on main roads. Sobriety Checkpoints are an effective way for police officers to legally stop and examine drivers through a breathalyzer device, a field sobriety test, or both to determine BAC. These have proven impressively helpful in the battle against DUI accidents, but it's simply not enough. Florida only conducts 15-20 of these checkpoints per month in the entire state, which is considerably higher than some states that do only one or two per month, such as Oklahoma.
Drunk Driving Prevention Organizations
There are organizations such as International Drunk Driving Prevention Association (IDDPA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and other groups that focus on fighting to put an end to the dangerous occurrence of DUI. They have all proven very successful, with MADD assisting an impressive 61,000 DUI Victims in 2012 alone. According to MADD, a whopping 17 million Americans have admitted to drinking and driving.
Consequences of Drinking and Driving
Current sentences, fines, and penalties for driving intoxicated vary depending on the state of the crime and the previous criminal history of the offender, but here are some possible repercussions for committing the crime in Florida.
On the 1st offense, an intoxicated driver can serve 6 to 9 months in jail, be charged $500 to $2,000 in charges, get their license suspended for 180 days to 1 year, and must have an IID installed in their car. Each additional offense can greatly increase these already harsh penalties.
An IID, or Interlock Ignition Device, is a device that requires you to blow a legal number into a Breathalyzer installed in your car's dashboard before you can turn on the car. In almost all cases, a drunk driving conviction requires the offender to pay the cost of the device and installation; they are also required to pay a monthly leasing fee of around $50-100.
Out of an estimated 300,000 people driving drunk every day, a mere 4,000 are arrested. That's an enormous number of drivers being allowed to operate a motor vehicle under the influence, and no one is stopping them; your friends, family, and neighbors are constantly in danger.
Drunk Driving Attorneys That Stand Up for Victims' Rights
Here at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, it's our goal to help ensure justice is served to the offender that has caused you or a loved one grief in a DUI accident. While we understand that steep penalties being pushed and eventually endured by the criminal could never replace a family member or heal any injuries suffered by one, the compensation that you may be entitled to could make the situation less stressful by covering any medical or funeral expenses, damages and other losses.
We're here to help make a potentially life-changing situation a little easier on the victims and families involved.
Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
Drunk driving accident victims can sustain a wide range of injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. Some common injuries that can occur in a drunk driving crash include:
Head and brain injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common in drunk driving accidents due to the force of impact. These injuries can range from a concussion to a more severe brain injury.
Spinal cord injuries are common in drunk driving accidents, resulting in paralysis or loss of feeling and function in the affected area.
Broken bones and fractures often occur in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries are painful and may limit mobility, and take months to heal.
Soft tissue injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and sprains, are also common in drunk driving accidents.
Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, can lead to serious complications that require surgery and other costly treatments.
Burns can occur if a vehicle catches fire or if a victim is exposed to hot liquids or surfaces during the accident.
No drunk driving accident case is alike, and your injuries, be they minor or severe, require personalized medical attention and financial compensation. The severity of the injuries will depend on factors such as the speed of the vehicles involved, the point of impact, the use of seatbelts, and other safety features in the car. Knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyers know where to turn for medical expertise and accident reconstruction, should your case require an in-depth investigation of how your injuries occurred.
A DUI Accident Attorney Can Help You Obtain Compensation
When a drunk driver injures you, you deserve to be compensated for the full scope of your losses; these include both economic and non-economic damages. Compensation can help cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The specific compensation you may be entitled to will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries.
Here are some of the types of compensation you may be able to recover in a personal injury claim:
Medical expenses — This includes the cost of any medical treatment you have received as a result of the accident, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
Lost wages — If you had to take time off work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for the wages you lost during that time.
Pain and suffering — You may be able to recover compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the accident.
Property damage — If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Punitive damages — In some cases, you may be able to recover punitive damages, which are meant to punish the at-fault party for their reckless behavior.
Your dedicated team of drunk driving accident attorneys can help you fight the insurance company by gathering evidence, negotiating with the insurance adjuster, and representing you in court if necessary. They can also help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the case. An experienced drunk driving lawyer can help you maximize your compensation and ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company.
About Us
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, was founded in 2009 by Matthew Dolman, Esq., the President, and partner Christian Myer, Esq. Both Matthew and Christian attended Stetson University, majoring in trial advocacy; Stetson has one of the highest rated trial advocacy programs in the nation. They were both also selected as Florida Rising Stars in 2013 – 2014, a prestigious title given by Super Lawyers rating service to outstanding young candidates.
Not only was Matthew selected as a “National Top 100 Trial Lawyer” but also as a “Top 40 Under 40” by NTL (National Trial Lawyers Organization), and scores a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo.com, a respected online legal directory. Our firm operates in the Bay Area, but serves the entire state of Florida.
Focusing on personal injury law, Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, represents many practice areas, including those who have been injured in car and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, slip and fall accidents, distracted or drunk driving, and more.
At our firm, we're on your side. Our team of experienced, successful and professional attorneys make having Dolman Law fight for you a wise choice. We provide an important gateway for success as well by providing our clients with the personal cell phone number of the attorney dealing with their case, enabling the creation of real relationships and connections. We've been advocating for injured victims since 2009, and we look forward to continuing to do so for years to come.
Contact a Dolman Law Group Drunk Driving Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving collision, Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, offers a completely freeconsultation and case evaluation. That means that for 30 minutes, we will personally sit down with you, hear your case, inform you of your rights and legal options, and offer you our most suited attorney to handle your situation, all completely free of charge.
We also offer a confident “No Recovery, No Fee” promise to our clients, enabling your peace of mind knowing that you aren't obligated to pay us anything until we achieve a pay-out to you. Our offices in New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater ensure easy access from any major location in the Bay Area, but should you decide we are ideal for your team, we will advocate for anyone in the state of Florida.
We aim for satisfaction from start to end and have no doubts about achieving this goal. Contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, today, and we'll get started on your case quickly and confidentially.