Florida DUI Injury Litigation Lawyer Near You
In the blink of an eye, your life can be forever changed. Drunk driving accidents are some of the most tragic types of accidents that can occur because they are completely avoidable. Unfortunately, they are far too common. There were 407 drunk driving fatalities in the state of Florida in 2021 and over 32,000 arrests were made for people driving while under the influence. The injuries sustained in these types of car accidents can be quite serious, sometimes life-altering, and typically take a long time to recover from, leading to a loss of being able to work or to carry out day-to-day activities without great difficulty.
If you have been injured in an accident involving someone who was operating a vehicle while impaired it is important to speak with an experienced DUI injury litigation lawyer near you. The law is on the side of the victims in DUI cases and you may be entitled to significant compensation to help cover the costs involved with your accident.
What Time of Day Do The Most DUI Accidents Happen?
At any given time of the day, there is a chance that you could be sharing the road with someone who is driving under the influence, a sad yet true fact. There are times of the day, however, when the risk of getting into a DUI-related car accident is greatly increased. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) you are over 3 times more likely to get into a car accident with someone who is drunk during the night than during the day. Nighttime DUI accidents, anything from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, account for 31% of all accidents that occur during those hours of the day compared with only 10% during the daytime. Not only are you at greater risk of being involved in a DUI car accident on Florida roads during the nighttime but also on the weekend. DUI accidents account for 27% of all accidents that occur from Friday at 6:00 pm to Monday at 6:00 am, the timeframe that is considered the weekend according to the NHTSA, as opposed to only 16% during the week.
Other DUI Statistics
It can be very helpful to understand when and how DUI car accidents occur so that you can be mindful when you are on the road. Again according to the NHTSA, DUI accidents are more likely to occur when it is dark outside than during daylight. 68% of DUI accidents occur in the dark, compared to 28% during daylight, 3% at dusk, and only 1% at dawn.
A surprising statistic for most to learn is that over 90% of DUI car accidents occur when the weather is clear. Only 9% of DUI car accidents happen when the weather is rainy or some other type of precipitation.
Are you more likely to get into a car accident in the city or the country? This is actually fairly evenly split, with 58% of driving-under-the-influence car accidents occurring in an urban setting while 42% happen in a rural setting.
No matter where you are or what time of day it is, a DUI accident can have devastating effects on the people involved and their loved ones, which is why it is always best to reach out to an experienced DUI litigation lawyer in your area for a case consultation.
Driving Under the Influence in the State of Florida
Like most states in America, there is a legal alcohol limit threshold that a person must be under when it comes to operating a vehicle. A person must not have a blood alcohol level or BAC higher than .08% or they are considered to be impaired and unable to safely operate a vehicle. If possible a police officer will administer a breath test at the time of the accident to determine the person’s BAC level. A person can also be found guilty of a DUI if they have any amount of drugs in their system which could be impairing their reaction time. There is no legal minimum that must be met when it comes to drug use and driving.
Types of Damages in a Florida DUI Accident Case
A person who has been in a car accident with a drunk driver may have sustained serious injuries such as broken bones, a head injury, neck injury, or even spinal injury. If you move forward with seeking compensation after your DUI accident there are a number of things that could be considered damages in which you could be paid for. This includes money spent out of your own pocket, future costs related to the accident, and compensation for the accident’s impact on your life. Some of the common damages that an experienced DUI litigation attorney would go after in a DUI accident case include:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation expenses both present and projected future costs
- Loss of income either temporarily or permanently
- Any loss of future earning potential resulting from the accident
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Punitive damages
It can be difficult to try to put a dollar figure on a number of these items which is why it is always best to speak with a qualified DUI accident attorney near you. They have the knowledge and experience to help determine the amount of compensation that is fair in these sorts of situations.
Suing For A DUI Accident in Florida
If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident and you are looking for a Sebring DUI litigation lawyer or a Largo DUI litigation lawyer the team at Cloud Law can help. We have years of experience going after those who have wronged others through careless negligence and helping the victims of DUI seek the justice they deserve. Reach out to our office to speak with one of our compassionate and understanding attorneys today to set up a free case consultation.