New Port Richey Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Establishing Liability in a Drunk Driving Accident in New Port Richey

When it comes time to take legal recourse for your accident caused by a drunk driver, there comes the task of filing a claim against the at-fault party. This claim will hold them liable, which means you must provide adequate proof their negligence directly caused your accident. Liability is established through the four components of negligence, which in relation to a drunk driving accident include: 

• Duty of care: It is expected that all drivers follow the legal rules of the road, which includes not operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
• Breach of care: When a Florida driver attempts to get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or higher, this is considered a direct breach of care. 
• Causation or link: Drunk drivers have impaired senses and decision-making, leaving their fellow drivers at extreme risk of an accident. 
• Resulting damages: When the accident is a direct result of the drunk driving, the drunk driver may be found liable for their actions. 

Florida takes drunk driving very seriously, and in addition to being liable for your accident, the at-fault party can be found guilty for their actions. If you are in need of an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer in New Port Richey today, contact us for a free consultation. 

How a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in New Port Richey Can Help

Trying to handle the aftermath of your auto collision personal injury accident alone can result in a low settlement or even a dismissed claim. When you partner with a dedicated New Port Richey drunk driving accident attorney, you are partnering with someone who will help with the following while you focus on recovering from your injuries:

Collect Evidence

To properly establish liability, you will need evidence. Your drunk driving accident attorney in New Port Richey will immediately begin an investigation into the circumstances surrounding your claim, including the gathering and assessing of any relevant evidence. For a drunk driving accident, this can include traffic camera footage, eyewitness accounts, photos of the aftermath, extensive medical records, BAC test results, police records, and more. 

This evidence will be used to demonstrate to the court that if the at-fault party had not been driving while drunk, you would not have sustained your injuries and be in the situation you are currently in. 

File Your Claim

Filing a claim on your own can result in a low settlement or even a dismissed claim due to a missed deadline. The current statute of limitations in Florida is two years, which means you have exactly two years from the date of the drunk driving accident to file all of the proper documentation. Drunk driving accidents can vary in severity, possibly leaving the victim with an injury that takes months and months to heal from. 

While two years may feel like a long time, it is unfortunately not uncommon for those without the assistance of an attorney to miss the deadline and miss their opportunity to recover adequate damages for their losses. 

Reevaluate Low Settlement

Low settlements are a common result of someone filing a claim without the professional assistance of a knowledgeable New Port Richey drunk driving accident lawyer. It’s important to remember that the insurance companies are not your friends and are not there to provide you with compensation to fully and accurately cover the entire cost of your losses. 

Your New Port Richey drunk driving accident lawyer can help you file for reevaluation and fight any low settlement offers. Often, the offer is a result of not including all of the necessary documentation highlighting the actual cost of your injuries. Detailed medical records are required, as well as a working knowledge of how much your future care will cost. 

Consult a Knowledgeable New Port Richey Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today

Drunk driving is a serious offense and should be treated as such. When you have fallen victim to the negligence of another New Port Richey driver, don’t take your chances and partner with a qualified and compassionate law firm like McPherson & Thomas, P.A. today. Our New Port Richey personal injury attorneys are here to provide you with people-first service, acting as a guide through every single step of the process. For a free case evaluation today, please fill out a contact form or give our office a call at (727) 848-8892.