With the winter holidays underway, many people will raise a glass of wine or champagne at gatherings with co-workers, friends, or family. Unfortunately, some of those people will choose to drive home, causing accidents and disrupting the lives of others who sustain serious injuries. If a drunk driving accident caused you injuries, that driver should be held fully accountable for their actions. Speak with an Oviedo and Casselberry car accident attorney right away.
Criminal DUI Cases vs. Injury Claims
After a drunk driver hits you, the police should arrive at the scene and identify that the driver is impaired. This will usually result in an arrest and criminal charges for driving under the influence (DUI) against the driver. You might think that this criminal case would also address your injuries and losses as the victim. Unfortunately, even if a driver is convicted of DUI, their sentence will mostly focus on punishing them with fines, probation, or jail time. If they are ordered to pay restitution to you, it likely will be much less than your overall losses are worth. This is why you need a car accident lawyer helping you to file an injury claim, even if the driver is convicted of DUI. Your attorney can use a conviction as evidence of drunk driving and liability if one occurs. You can still present other evidence even if the driver is not convicted, however. If you can prove liability, the driver’s insurance company will need to cover your losses, which might include:
Learn How a Casselberry and Oviedo Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
After a drunk driving crash and injuries, you want the legal team of Quattrochi & Torres on your side. Contact us for a free case evaluation and to learn more about our firm as soon as you can.