Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorneys Helping Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents

If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident in Miami-Dade or throughout South Florida, you have rights – and advocates

No one in Florida can claim to be ignorant of the consequences of drinking and driving. With some of the strongest laws in the US, Florida has made an unequivocal move to protect the innocent in these circumstances. However, independently navigating access to their protections can be arduous and onerous.  Working with a reputable Fort Lauderdale drunk driver injury lawyer can change the outcome of a drunk driving accident from terribly painful to merely a distant memory. Yeboah Law Group, P.A. is here to put our skills and experience to work for you in obtaining justice when you or a loved one was injured due to a drunk driver.

Victims’ rights in Florida

Due to the high number of drunk driving accidents in Florida, the state has made significant mandates to strongly dissuade and heavily penalize anyone who operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. From compulsory blood alcohol testing after any serious accident to felony DUI indictments for drivers who repeatedly disrespect these laws, Florida lawmakers have worked hard to impose significant penalties on the drivers, particularly underage drivers, in these entirely avoidable accidents.

The legal ramifications don’t only apply to punishing the perpetrators. Florida has also made strides to give victims a voice and to defend their rights. The Florida Victim Impact Panels were established to allow victims and their families to find acceptance via sharing their stories with first time and repeat DUI/DWI offenders.  Another way that the state has been active in aiding victims is via the creation of the Bureau of Victim Compensation. This governmental agency offers a wide array of services to victims of crimes including drunk driving, such as:

• Medical and dental cost assistance
• Mental health cost assistance
• Lost wages
• Disability payments
• Loss of property
• Costs associated with relocation
• Funeral and burial expenses

All these services are available to victims; however, accessing them and being accepted into the programs can be burdensome, particularly if you or a family member is still coping with the traumatic aftermath of a drunk driving accident. A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will work to make sure you receive all the services and benefits you are entitled to, from the state and from any insurance companies involved.

Different players at fault; different types of compensation

Along with harsh penalties for drunk drivers themselves, Florida has also been at the forefront of the nation in regards to holding anyone who sells or serves alcoholics or underage drinkers accountable if a drunk driving accident results. Beyond broadening the scope of culpability, Florida law also allows for payments of compensatory as well as punitive financial damages. Where compensatory damages aim to effectively undo any damage after an accident, punitive damages aim to punish the drunk driver and deter other drivers from taking similar risks.

While we commonly only imagine automobile drivers when we picture drunk or impaired driving, truck drivers and motorcycle operators are also equally liable and likely to meet with a dangerous collision resulting in injuries to others. Because alcohol is a systemic depressant, the impaired driver or operator tends to be musculo-skeletally relaxed at the time of impact, often reducing the severity of their injuries. The drivers and passengers of the vehicles they hit have no such “protection” and suffer more critical injuries.

Learn more about driving while intoxicated and other dangerous behaviors that lead to serious injury

Driving at Night? Make Sure You’re Being Safe

Work with a skilled Fort Lauderdale drunk driving injury attorney to get the help you need

After a drunk driving accident, the victim is eligible for a variety of services and compensations, provided filings and requests are made within the stated time. While you recover, it helps to have a professional and empathetic Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident lawyer out working to see your interests are served.

Contact us at Yeboah Law Group for a free in-depth consultation of your drunk driving injury claim. Call Yeboah Law Group now at (800) TELL-SAM for a no-cost consultation, or complete our contact form.

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