Call Us Today Drunk driving accidents are among the most devastating, as drivers who are impaired often do not have the awareness to slow down before an impact. Injuries from these crashes can have long-lasting, even permanent effects on an innocent driver’s life.
If you are hurt in a drunk driving wreck, get in touch with Viles & Beckman’s Cape Coral DUI accident attorneys as soon as possible. There could be several people or organizations responsible for your injuries, and you may be able to seek compensation in court to cover all the damages you have suffered.
Who to Sue in a Cape Coral DUI Accident
The most obvious person to sue after a drunk driving crash in Cape Coral is the person who received the DUI. However, there are a number of circumstances that could mean others share blame in causing your injuries.
A DUI accident lawyer can help you identify everyone who might owe you compensation, including:
- Other drivers involved in the accident
- Government or municipal organizations
- Car or car part manufacturers
- Trucking companies (if you are injured in a drunk driving truck accident)
In specific cases, you may even be able to seek compensation from the alcoholic establishment that served the driver. Under Florida’s so-called dram shop law, a beverage company can be held liable if they serve alcohol to minors or to someone who they know to have addiction issues with alcohol.
You may be able to seek compensation from many different defendants in a lawsuit. The best way to determine who to sue is to discuss the details of your case with an experienced lawyer for DUI accidents in Cape Coral.
How Fault Affects Your Compensation
You can still seek compensation from other at-fault parties even if you are partially responsible for the DUI crash in which you were injured. Thankfully, Florida law follows a legal tradition called comparative negligence (Florida Statutes § 768.81).
Instead of barring you from compensation, the percentage of fault attributed to you will be used to reduce your total compensation package. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- You suffer $100,000 in damages due to your DUI accident injuries.
- The court determines that you are 10% responsible for the crash.
- Your eventual compensation will be reduced by 10%.
- This results in a maximum compensation package of $90,000.
Since any fault pinned on you will lower your compensation, it’s important to have an experienced DUI accident lawyer on your side. They can help find and preserve evidence of other parties’ fault and maximize the money you are owed.
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How Much Is Your Cape Coral DUI Accident Claim Worth?
Your compensation is based on the total amount of damages you have sustained in a DUI accident in Cape Coral. This is often a much larger amount of damage than you may initially expect. Your DUI accident attorney in Cape Coral can help you catalog all your damages so that you have a better idea of the value of your case.
Economic Harm
The first group of damages you can seek compensation for are the ones that directly impact your finances. These are usually the damages that first come to mind, as they have monetary values already attached to them. Examples of economic damages include:
- Hospital bills
- Ongoing medical and rehabilitative costs
- Lost wages as a result of missed work
- Lost ability to earn an income (disability, disfigurement, or loss of limb, for example)
- Costs associated with the repair or replacement of your vehicle
Non-Economic Harm
Additionally, you can seek compensation for damages that aren’t financial in nature. These are usually more subjective and are difficult to quantify, since they don’t come with receipts or bills. Examples of non-economic harms include:
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish and suffering
- Loss of consortium with your spouse
Determining the value of these damages often requires consultation with a skilled DUI accident attorney.
(239) 334-3933
A DUI Accident Lawyer in Cape Coral Can Negotiate With Insurance Companies
The overwhelming majority of personal injury claims in Cape Coral end in settlement negotiations rather than the drama of a courtroom. While you want a drunk driving accident attorney to be willing to fight for your case in court, it’s likely that you’ll end your lawsuit with an out-of-court settlement.
In many cases, the negotiation phase is fraught with danger for injured people. No matter how nice the insurance companies and opposing attorneys seem, their goal is to pay you as little as possible for the harm you suffered.
Don’t miss out on the compensation you are truly owed because of lowball offers from insurance agencies. Instead, get a DUI accident lawyer on your team to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
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At Viles & Beckman, we know how to get our clients the compensation they are owed. We’ve recovered over $100 million in compensation for our clients, and we’re happy to help you seek justice in your case.
You can schedule a FREE consultation with one of our experienced Cape Coral DUI accident lawyers today by calling our office or filling out the form on our contact page. Let’s work together to get you and your family the compensation you deserve.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
