Orlando Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports over 5,000 alcohol-involved car accidents in Florida each year, resulting in approximately 400 fatalities and 2,000 injuries. In Orange County, there are about 350 alcohol-involved crashes each year, resulting in approximately 40 fatalities and nearly 200 injuries. Despite all we know about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, people still do it—and they do it with alarming frequency. If you were hit by a drunk driver in Florida, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries and losses. At Israoui Law, our Orlando drunk driving accident lawyers provide strong representation to victims of drunk driving accidents, working to hold drunk drivers accountable for their bad choices and improve the safety of Florida roads.
If I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver, Am I the Victim of a Crime?
Drunk driving (BAC over .08) is illegal in Florida. Under Florida law, you are considered the victim of a criminal act if you have been hit by a drunk driver, which may entitle you to compensation through Florida’s Crimes Compensation Act. Any victim who has sustained a personal injury, or survivors of a person who was killed as a result of a felony or misdemeanor crime punishable under federal or state laws, including DUI, may qualify. Eligibility requirements include:
- The victim must cooperate fully with law enforcement officials, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office
- The victim must have suffered a physical, psychiatric, or psychological injury, or death, as a result of the crime
- The crime must be reported to law enforcement within three days after it happened, unless there is a good reason for reporting it later
- The claim must be filed within one year of the crime, or up to two years if there is good reason for not filing the claim sooner
Qualifying for compensation under the Florida Crimes Compensation Act can make a significant difference in the amount of money you receive to cover the cost of medical expenses, property damage, time missed from work, and other losses arising from the accident. A victim may also be able to bring a claim against the driver and/or owner of the vehicle that struck them, as well as to their own insurance company.
How Can a Lawyer Help After Getting Hit by a Drunk Driver in Florida?
Too often, the compensation available to drunk driving accident victims through Florida’s Crimes Compensation Act is ignored unless aggressively pursued by the victim and his or her attorney. An experienced Orlando drunk driving accident lawyer will be familiar with all the ways you may obtain compensation after being hit by a drunk driver and will fight by your side to recover each of them. In the Orlando/Kissimmee area, contact Israoui Law to explore your options. Eligibility requirements for the Crimes Compensation Act are time sensitive, so don’t wait to call.
