DUI Accident Lawyer – Lakeland, FL
If you were injured by a drunk driver, you should speak with a DUI accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious problem in the United States. In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that more than 1.1 million drivers were arrested in this country in 2014 alone for operating their vehicles while illegally impaired. Whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is not as relevant as the harm they can cause other drivers and passengers on the road.
If you have been injured as a result of a drunk driving accident, please know that an experienced Lakeland, FL car accident lawyer can play a vital role in seeking compensation for injuries caused by a drunk driver. Please contact the legal team at David & Philpot, PL without delay. An experienced Lakeland, FL DUI accident lawyer can seek justice on your behalf and potentially obtain a significant settlement from the DUI driver. We offer no-cost consultations for those who were injured by intoxicated drivers. Speaking with our team will not obligate you to pursue legal action; doing so will simply help you to make an informed decision about your legal situation.
When does hiring a DUI lawyer make sense?
The DUI driver who caused the accident resulting in your injury may or may not go to prison for their offense. This is out of your control. However, you have the legal right to pursue compensation from them for your injury-related damages. If your injury is serious and may require surgery and/or lengthy time off from work, it’s especially important to have an experienced Lakeland, FL DUI accident lawyer representing you. This is because the DUI driver’s insurance company will likely deny your personal injury claim, or offer a settlement that will only cover a small portion of your damages. These are common tactics used by insurance companies because they do not want to pay out significant sums of money to accident victims.
When you have a Lakeland, FL DUI accident lawyer representing you, the insurance companies understand that if they do not pay a fair settlement, they will likely end up in court. Litigation is expensive for them, and they know that in the end, there is a very good chance they will lose in court. When this happens, not only do they have to pay for their attorney fees and court costs, they will still end up paying a settlement. Without a lawyer, a victim is at more risk for being taken advantage of by the insurance companies who use intimidation to get their way, such as claiming they will not offer a better settlement so take it or leave it. Please don’t agree to a settlement until you have spoken with our firm’s legal team.
How do I find the best DUI lawyer?
When considering to hire for representation, what constitutes “best” is subjective. The Lakeland, FL DUI accident lawyer who will be the best “fit” for you may not be the best choice for someone else. However, there are several criteria to keep in mind when choosing a DUI lawyer:
- Has the DUI lawyer handled cases similar to yours, in which a DUI driver caused substantial injuries?
- Does the DUI lawyer believe they can negotiate a settlement on your behalf that will enable you to recover your damages from the accident? This might include the costs of anticipated treatment or surgeries.
- Will the DUI lawyer charge you up front or will they accept a percentage of the settlement, and if they cannot secure you a settlement, will they still charge you for their legal services?
How much compensation can I get from a DUI driver who injured me?
If you were injured by a DUI driver, call our Lakeland DUI accident lawyer for a free consultation to learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Auto accident injuries can be serious and require lengthy as well as expensive medical care. Do not let the insurance company dictate your ability to recover from an injury which was caused by the drunk driver.
What is a DUI claim?
If you were injured intentionally or unintentionally by someone when they acted in a negligent or careless manner, you have the legal right to pursue compensation from them for your injury-related costs, including medical care. With the help of a DUI accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida, you can file a personal injury claim and submit it to the responsible person’s insurance company. The claim will have a detailed cost breakdown of your damages that resulted from the accident.
What is a settlement?
In the context of an auto accident caused by a DUI driver that resulted in you sustaining an injury, a settlement is the amount of compensation offered by the driver’s insurance company to you for your injury-related costs (referred to as “damages”). However, what is important to understand is that without a DUI lawyer representing you, it’s unlikely that the insurance company will offer you a fair settlement. By and large, they will try to take advantage of your immediate need for funds and hope that you will accept a settlement that is far less than the total cost of your damages. Our DUI lawyer in Lakeland, Florida will review all of the details of your circumstances following the accident and will reject unfair settlement offers from the insurance company. In fact, our DUI lawyer will counteroffer with an amount that fairly reflects your damages caused by their customer. If they refuse to agree to a reasonable settlement amount, we will be prepared to file a civil lawsuit against them to hold them to their legal obligations.
What damages can be included in a personal injury claim?
The answer to this question varies from one case to the next. When our Florida DUI lawyer takes an injury case, all of your damages are considered. Many clients are surprised by what costs can be included in their damage totals, but our DUI lawyer has a depth of understanding about what is eligible for reimbursement. Some of the most common damages included in a personal injury claim include these costs:
- Medical treatment already provided, and treatment that is likely in the future. This includes surgeries and follow-up care.
- Medications.
- Earnings that the victim loses out on during the time they cannot work because they are recovering from their injuries.
If you were injured by a DUI driver, please connect with an experienced Lakeland, Florida DUI accident lawyer. Regardless of whether you choose to file a legal claim, you have earned the right to make an informed decision about all the options available to you at this time. Speak with our Lakeland, FL DUI accident lawyer from David & Philpot, PL.