DUI accidents in New Port Richey, Florida, cause traumatic injuries and wrongful deaths. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported four DUI accidents in Pasco County in 2022. Three people died because of drunk driving accidents that year.
Drunk driving accidents are a common cause of traffic fatalities and injuries. An average of 32 people die each day in DUI accidents in the United States. At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our New Port Richey DUI accident lawyers fight to hold drunk drivers responsible for the damages and harm they cause.
If you or a family member was injured in a DUI accident in New Port Richey, contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free consultation at (727) 910-5060. Let’s work together to get you the money you deserve after an accident caused by an impaired driver.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, Can Help After a DUI Accident in New Port Richey
A driver convicted of DUI can face harsh criminal penalties under Florida DUI laws. However, the driver can also be held financially liable for damages caused by the DUI crash. At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team works to hold drunk drivers responsible for the harm they cause.
Our legal team has over 119 years of experience handling personal injury cases. We understand the legal requirements you must prove to win a personal injury claim for a DUI accident. The New Port Richey car accident attorneys with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers are aggressive trial lawyers and negotiators.
When you hire us to handle your claim, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate the car accident to gather evidence proving fault and liability
- Provide sound legal advice and high-quality legal representation
- File insurance claims and negotiate fair insurance settlements
- Gather evidence and document your damages
- Work with expert witnesses when necessary
- Prepare to fight for you all the way to arguing a lawsuit in court
Dealing with the consequences of a DUI accident in New Port Richey can be overwhelming and stressful. Let our legal team take the stress of navigating a legal claim off your shoulders.
Call now to schedule a free case review with an experienced car accident lawyer in New Port Richey, FL.
DUI Accidents in New Port Richey Cause Severe Injuries
Consuming alcohol and driving is dangerous. Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Alcohol affects driving ability by slowing reaction time and impairing judgment, coordination, and cognitive functions.
Common injuries caused by drunk drivers include:
- Damage to internal organs
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis and spinal fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Back and neck injuries
Victims can also sustain severe scarring and disfigurement in a DUI accident. Some victims are left with life-altering impairments and disabilities. The damages and harm caused by an impaired driver include non-economic and economic damages.
Filing a Claim for Damages Caused by a DUI Accident in New Port Richey
A criminal court could order the driver to pay restitution for a DUI accident. Unfortunately, the restitution might not cover all damages. However, you could pursue an insurance claim and personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver.
Compensation for a DUI accident could include economic and non-economic damages such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Medical bills and expenses
- Mental anguish
- Lost wages and benefits
- Emotional distress
- Scarring, disfigurement, impairments, and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished earning potential
- A decrease in quality of life
You could also receive punitive damages in some situations. Our lawyers evaluate your case and pursue punitive damages when the case supports these damages.
You must prove the legal elements of a negligence claim to win a DUI case. Therefore, you must prove that the drunk driver caused your accident. Negligence per se helps because it creates a rebuttable presumption that the drunk driver was negligent if they were guilty of DUI.
A liability insurance company for the drunk driver might try to limit liability for a claim by shifting some of the blame for the accident to you. Insurance adjusters are trained to search for evidence to use against accident victims, including twisting a victim’s statements to use against them.
If you were injured in a DUI accident, the best way to protect your rights is to talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can handle the insurance company for you and help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your case.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a DUI Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations for DUI accident claims is two years from the accident date. However, there could be exceptions to that rule.
Missing the deadline for filing a lawsuit means you give up your right to take legal action. Avoid missing filing deadlines by talking with an attorney from our office today.
(Note: A March 2023 tort reform law changed the statute of limitations from four years to two years. If you were in a DUI accident on or before 3/23/2023, you will have four years to file a negligence claim).
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our New Port Richey DUI Accident Lawyers
You do not need to handle an accident claim on your own. You can have the extensive skills, resources, and expertise of Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers on your side. Contact our law office for your free consultation with a New Port Richey DUI accident attorney.
