Anyone who drives after drinking can put others at serious risk. When that decision causes a crash, the effects may continue long afterward. Drunk driving car accidents in Palm Coast can leave injured people unsure of what comes next as they recover. Questions about who caused the crash often arise quickly, and insurance issues can make the situation even more difficult. A knowledgeable car crash attorney can explain your rights early in the process and help protect your claim.
At Rue & Ziffra, we have represented injured people for more than 50 years as your local injury attorneys. We can investigate the crash to determine what happened, and evidence of impairment may become an important part of that process. We can also communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf and pursue compensation for the harm you have suffered. Ask a client; you’ll become one.
Alcohol can affect judgment, reaction time, coordination, and a driver’s ability to recognize hazards. Evidence that may help establish fault includes:
Following an alcohol-impaired car crash in Palm Coast, legal counsel can gather and evaluate this evidence alongside other information that may help establish fault. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, a claimant’s share of fault may reduce their compensation. A claimant whose share of fault exceeds 50 percent generally cannot recover damages in a negligence case.
The state’s no-fault system generally requires injured drivers to use their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage first for certain medical costs and lost wages. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.736, treatment generally must begin within 14 days of the crash to qualify for medical benefits.
If your injuries are serious, PIP may not fully account for the impact of the crash. You may be able to pursue additional compensation from the impaired driver based on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your losses.
Compensation may include:
The value of a claim depends on how seriously the crash has affected your health and your ability to return to your normal routine. In Palm Coast, an attorney can review the available coverage after a car crash involving an impaired driver and document the extent of your losses so the claim reflects more than just your immediate expenses.
Injury cases can involve damages beyond compensation for ordinary negligence. State law permits a punitive damages claim only after the claimant makes the required evidentiary showing under Fla. Stat. § 768.72. The statute generally requires proof of intentional misconduct or gross negligence to support punitive damages.
State law also has a specific rule for intoxicated defendants. Fla. Stat. § 768.736 provides that certain statutory punitive-damages limitations do not apply when alcohol or drugs impaired the defendant or the defendant had a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. When an intoxicated driver causes a car crash in Palm Coast, a lawyer can assess whether the facts and evidence support seeking punitive damages in your case.
Drunk driving car accidents in Palm Coast can have serious consequences. If you have suffered an injury, you may be unsure how to proceed while recovering. A legal claim can provide a way to hold the impaired driver accountable and seek compensation for the harm the crash caused.
At Rue & Ziffra, we have been in your community and on your side for more than 50 years. We can explain what your claim may involve and provide guidance throughout the process. Call us today to arrange a free consultation with our local injury attorneys.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
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