Winter Park Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired drivers are involved in one-quarter of all motor vehicle-related fatalities in Florida. In 2018, over 3,100 people died in Florida due to injuries sustained in car accidents. Of those, drunk drivers caused 814 deaths. While there has been a small decline in the number of fatalities related to drunk drivers across the country, even one death is too many. If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, you need to contact our Winter Park drunk driving lawyers right away.
Despite how well-publicized the dangers of drinking and driving are, thousands of people continue to put others at risk. NHTSA statistics show that impaired drivers are less likely to use seat belts —89.4% of all other drivers use seat belts whereas only 66% of impaired drivers wear their seat belts.
If a Drunk Driver Injures me, Am I the Victim of a Crime?
When someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol and their BAC is over 0.08), they are committing a crime. If they hit your car while drunk driving, you are the victim of a crime. That may entitle you to claim compensation through the Crimes Compensation Act in Florida. Anyone who was injured or the surviving family members of someone killed by a drunk driver may qualify under the program. Specific eligibility requirements include:
- Victims must cooperate with all federal and state agencies, including law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, and/or the Attorney General’s Office;
- Victims must have suffered one or more of the following as a result of the crime: physical, psychological or psychiatric injuries, or death;
- Victims must report the crime to law enforcement within three days of the crime unless there is a valid reason for reporting it later; and
- Victims must file a claim within a year of the crime, or up to two years provided there is a legitimate reason for not filing sooner.
Possible compensation under the Florida Crimes Compensation Act can provide you with compensation that can help you cover financial expenses related to the accident. These expenses can include current medical treatment, property damage, your loss of earnings, and any other related losses arising from the drunk driving accident.
Victims may also have the right to bring a claim directly against the drunk driver and/or owner of the vehicle, along with their insurance company.
Contact Our Winter Park Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
If you are the injured victim or a drunk driver or lost a loved one due to a drunk driving accident, you have rights. There may be multiple options for reimbursement for you and your family’s damages, but you need a skilled Winter Park drunk driving accident lawyer on your side. Pursuing compensation for injuries caused by a drunk driver can be complicated. Many times, the potential compensation available through Florida’s Crimes Compensation Act is untouched because the victim does not know about it. Let us help you aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact Israoui Law today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
