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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