Drunk Driver Accidents
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities in Florida and across the U.S. Every year, thousands of people are killed and tens of thousands injured by drunk drivers. Around one in three traffic deaths every year is caused by a drunk driver. In Florida alone, there were 5,125 car crashes involving alcohol in 2017, killing 350 people and injuring 1,900 more. If you or your family has suffered devastating loss because of a drunk driver, you have the right, and the obligation, to hold that driver accountable. Mark H. Wright is ready to help.
The Florida drunk driving accident lawyer at the Tampa Bay personal injury law firm Mark H. Wright, PLLC, has dedicated decades to helping car accident victims recover damages from drunk, drugged, and otherwise negligent and reckless drivers. If you or a family member were hit by a drunk driver in Central Florida, personal injury lawyer Mark H. Wright will help you build the strongest case for maximum recovery. We will help ensure that drunk drivers are held to task for their actions and that your family recovers for the financial and emotional harm they have suffered.
Drunk Driving Laws in Florida
Florida law prohibits operating a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is above 0.08 percent. If you were hit by an intoxicated driver, you do not need to prove that their BAC was above the legal limit, however. A driver may also be unlawfully drunk if they are driving while their “normal faculties” are impaired by alcohol, even if their BAC is below 0.08.
Moreover, to recover against a drunk driver, an injured accident victim need only show that the defendant was at least negligent and caused the crash. A DUI conviction is evidence of negligence, but it is not required. An accident victim can bring a civil claim for damages against a drunk driver regardless of whether the defendant is also subject to criminal penalties, provided they are not limited by Florida’s no-fault insurance scheme. Florida car accident lawyer Mark H. Wright can help you evaluate your options after being hit by a drunk driver in Tampa and help you determine the route that will lead to the maximum recovery for you and your family.
Punitive Damages
Florida allows for the recovery of punitive damages in personal injury matters under certain circumstances. Typical damages, such as damages for lost wages or pain and suffering, are meant to compensate the victim for their losses. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are intended to punish the defendant for their conduct and deter such behavior in the future. They are awarded on top of available compensatory damages. Punitive damages are possible when a defendant’s conduct is extremely reckless, wanton, or intentionally malicious.
If a person voluntarily gets behind the wheel with a BAC of more than 0.08 percent, they are voluntarily putting themselves, their passengers, and everyone else on the road in danger of a catastrophic accident. Drunk driving accidents are a classic example of when a defendant’s conduct is sufficiently reckless to warrant punishment in the form of punitive damages. Speak with the passionate Tampa drunk driving injury lawyer Mark H. Wright about whether you may be entitled to punitive damages after your Florida drunk driving accident.
Call a Passionate Lawyer for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in the Tampa Bay area, you are entitled to compensation. An attorney at Mark H. Wright, PLLC, is available to hear your case. Our legal team is focused on giving qualified, experienced, and passionate advice and representation to Floridians who were hit by drunk drivers. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Plant City or anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, call us today for a free consultation.
