Joe Osborne & Greg Francis, Personal Injury Lawyers & Founders of Osborne & Francis

Florida Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Legally Reviewed By
Ryan Fletcher

Hire a Florida Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Driving under the influence (DUI) can greatly inhibit a person’s ability to drive safely. Because of this, DUI crashes can cause severe injuries and major losses. A Florida drunk driving lawyer can help you pursue justice.

Any type of car accident can lead to serious injuries and damage. However, crashes that involve driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can often be extremely dangerous due to reduced reaction times, lack of braking, and impaired decision-making. 

As a result, DUI injuries and fatalities make up a significant percentage of car accident crashes yearly in Florida. These accidents can sometimes be life-altering for all those involved. 

If you or a loved one were involved in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses. The Florida drunk driving attorneys at Osborne & Francis have a proven track record of recovering favorable damages awards and settlements for our clients. 

Contact us at (561) 293-2600 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your rights and options. We are on hand to guide you through the process from beginning to end.

 

Continue reading to learn how an attorney can help you with your car accident case.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

How Can a Florida DUI Accident Lawyer Help With Damages?

A Florida DUI accident attorney can provide assistance by preparing the type of strong legal case needed to secure a damages award. Damages can often depend on the skill and experience of the attorney, so it’s important to choose the right one. 

A car accident caused by someone else driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can leave the victims with severe injuries, such as brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. If you’ve been in an accident, pursuing legal action can help you and your family obtain financial assistance.

Damages in a DUI accident lawsuit can help cover:

  • Immediate medical care such as emergency room or urgent care bills, medications, and emergency surgical procedures
  • Long-term care including ongoing rehabilitation, follow-up surgery, and physical therapy
  • Specialized care such as costs associated with neurosurgeon visits (which can be quite costly in some cases)
  • Lost work wages due to missing work while recuperating
  • Loss of future income due to permanent, life-changing injuries or loss of bodily functions
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional and psychological trauma
  • Loss of companionship in the event of a wrongful death caused by a fatality

Injuries and damages can be markedly more severe in some cases, especially those involving a semi-truck DUI accident. Larger commercial vehicles can cause even more damage if the driver is drunk or impaired. In a case where a fatality results, damages may cover additional expenses, such as funeral costs and loss of household income.

At Osborne & Francis, our accident attorneys are tough on drunk drivers who injure innocent victims. We devote all of our efforts and resources into ensuring our clients obtain the full verdicts and settlements that they deserve under the law.

When Should I Contact a Florida DUI Accident Attorney After a Crash?

You should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as you are able to after a crash. An experienced lawyer can help protect you and act as your representative when dealing with insurance and other parties. Without a lawyer on your side, you may not recover the full damages you are entitled to under the law. 

Contacting an attorney early on after an injury may also be necessary if the injured person is incapacitated and can’t make decisions on their own. In such cases, their family may need to contact the attorney on their behalf. This will help ensure that the person’s legal rights are protected as they recover from their accident injuries. 

Here are some steps you should take after a DUI accident: 

  • Seek immediate medical attention: Get treatment right away, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Certain types of injuries don’t manifest immediately after a crash (such as traumatic brain injuries).
  • File an accident report: If you are able to, contact local law enforcement and be sure that you obtain a formal report. This is especially important in a DUI case, where police documentation might serve as evidence later on.
  • Contact a lawyer: Seeking assistance from a Florida DUI accident attorney can place you in the best position for receiving compensation through damages or a settlement. Don’t negotiate with the other driver or insurance company directly; instead, let your lawyer handle those interactions.
  • Document everything: Gather whatever information, documents, photos, and videos that you can, while they are still fresh and readily available. However, if you can’t obtain everything, don’t worry - it’s your lawyer’s job to compile evidence for trial. 

Most importantly, DO NOT admit fault, as your statements could be held against you in court. Again, having a lawyer present for you can help ensure all communications pass through them so you are protected. 

Florida Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Drunk driving is a major issue across Florida, and presents a serious risk of harm to drivers and passengers on the road. According to crash facts from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in a 3-year period, the following drunk driving statistics were logged: 

  • Alcohol Confirmed Crashes: 4,883
  • Alcohol Confirmed Fatal Crashes: 356
  • Alcohol Confirmed Incapacitating Injury Crashes: 253
  • Alcohol Confirmed Other Injury Crashes: 1,409

Thus, alcohol-related accidents pose a real threat to the safety of Florida drivers. In addition, the data indicates that such incidents may be increasing every year. The representation of a qualified lawyer is needed in the event that a crash occurs and damages are needed. 

Lastly, drunk drivers can also involve other victims, such as those on motorcycles or bicycles, and pedestrians. These types of cases can be especially serious because the injured party is not protected in the same way as when they are in a car. 

Our Accident Attorneys Are Tough on Drunk Drivers Who Injure Innocent Victims

Drunk driving is a form of negligence; in fact, it is one of the worst kinds of driving-related negligence. If you or a loved one were injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to pursue damages for your losses. Contact the Florida drunk driving accident lawyers at Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 to begin your path to recovery. 


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How can a Florida drunk driving accident attorney help with my case?

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

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Contact a Florida Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Drunk driving dramatically increases the chances that an accident will occur. Moreover, DUI-related accidents can often be more serious than other types of car crashes because the drunk driver may not make adjustments to lessen impact. As a result, hundreds of people are hurt every year in Florida due to DUI accidents. 

Why Hire Osborne & Francis

At Osborne & Francis, we aggressively pursue compensation on behalf of those injured by impaired drivers. We have decades of combined experience and a national reputation in the area of injury law. Our law firm offers injury victims the attention of a boutique-style experience, while providing the resources and capabilities of a large firm.

If you or a loved one were injured due to a drunk driving accident, contact our legal team at Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600. Our lawyers can provide you with the legal guidance and representation needed for your claim. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Florida Drunk Driving Accident FAQs

How can a Florida drunk driving accident attorney help with my case?

Drunk driving accidents can be complex, but an injury lawyer can help by researching relevant laws, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, filing court documents, and arguing for the ideal damages award. Without a lawyer representing you, it can be difficult to obtain the full amount of damages available.

What is the drinking limit in Florida for drivers?

In Florida, driving under the influence (DUI) can result if the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 or above. Thus, if you were in an accident, and the other driver registered a 0.08 BAC or higher after the crash, you may be entitled to pursue a DUI accident case.

How long will my DUI case take?

There is no set time frame or average amount of time for a DUI accident case in Florida. Some cases may be resolved within months, while others might take a year or even longer. 

The amount of time depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and how impaired the driver was. An experienced lawyer can help ensure court requirements are being filed and the case is moving forward.

When should I contact a Florida DUI accident lawyer?

You should contact a Florida accident lawyer as soon as you are able if you’ve been injured by a drunk driver. Your attorney can help you negotiate with the other party and with insurance, and can begin gathering evidence before it changes or disappears. 

Florida car crash claims are subject to filing deadlines, so be sure to contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you think you have a case. Your attorney can begin the legal process and ensure you don’t miss any requirements. Contact Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 if you need assistance from a drunk driving accident lawyer.