Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Tampa

Despite the best efforts of law enforcement and advocacy groups, drunk drivers continue to pose a threat to innocent people in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County. If you or someone close to you was injured by someone who was driving under the influence, a drunk driving accident attorney in Tampa can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

Kogan & DiSalvo is a strong ally for those who have suffered serious personal injuries as well as those who have lost loved ones in fatal drunk driving accidents. Our personal injury attorneys know how to help accident victims as well as hold drunk drivers accountable for their reckless actions.

A Dangerous Impairment

The reason drunk driving is so dangerous is that it impairs a driver in a number of ways. Drunk drivers lose coordination, making it more difficult to handle a steering wheel, shift bar and gas and brake pedals.

Driving while drunk also impairs vision, making it more difficult for drivers to see, especially at night.

Drunk driving slows the reflexes. Safe driving requires split-second decisions. Even a brief delay between an event and the driver’s reaction can result in a collision on the road.

Perhaps most damaging of all, drunk driving affects a driver’s decision-making ability, causing them to take risks and make reckless driving maneuvers a sober driver would never consider.

The multiple ways drunk drivers are affected cause them to make mistakes and dangerous decisions, such as speeding or running red lights. In some cases, drunk drivers are so impaired they commit egregious acts such as driving on the wrong side of the road. This can result in head-on collisions and other extremely dangerous accidents.

Compensation in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Victims of drunk driving accidents have the right to pursue compensation for their many hardships, which may include medical bills, lost wages, and extreme pain and suffering.

In addition to compensatory damages, victims may also be eligible to receive punitive damages in a drunk driving accident case. Punitive damages are designed to punish people whose acts of extreme recklessness cause an injury to another person.

Pursuing a legal claim against a drunk driver is not only a financial matter. Victims and their family members also want justice to be served against the person who shattered their lives, and a drunk driving lawsuit can help achieve that goal.

Whatever the circumstance of your case, the insurance company representing the driver will not willingly pay you the full value of your claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and help you seek maximum compensation after a Tampa drunk driving accident.

Whether the Driver Was Drunk or Not, You Have Rights

The blood alcohol concentration threshold for a DUI charge in Florida is .08, but lower BAC levels are also extremely dangerous. A landmark drunk driving study revealed that people driving with a BAC of .05 to .079 were 7 to 21 times more likely to die in a car crash than drivers with no alcohol in their system. They are also more likely to injure and kill other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists on Tampa-area roads.

BAC test results, field sobriety tests, and other evidence from a DUI arrest can play a role in a personal injury claim, but the driver who injured you does not have to have been found guilty of drunk driving to be held liable for your injuries.

Your drunk driving accident claim is a separate matter from the criminal aspects of a DUI case. Whether the person who injured you was extremely intoxicated or only had a single drink—but made a poor decision—you have the right to hold them accountable for the losses you have suffered.

Talk to an Experienced Lawyer Who Can Help

Our experienced Tampa drunk driving accident attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and the legal process of pursuing a personal injury claim. We understand that this legal matter is not just a case to you—it is your life, and will affect you and your family deeply. To learn more about how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve in this drunk driving accident claim, contact our law offices today.