If you were injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, you do not have to undertake your legal burdens alone. A West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyer can review the details of your case and determine what legal options are available to you. Many claimants think that in a drunk driving case, if the at-fault party was arrested and charged with a crime, they cannot file a personal injury claim.
At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we can tell you right now that this is not true. Even if the other party is charged with a crime, their charges have no bearing on your ability to file a civil action. We can collect evidence of liability and help you pursue the cost of your medical bills, lost income, and emotional anguish from the negligent driver.
You have two years from the date of the accident, under Florida Statute §95.11, to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Per the same statute, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s passing to file a wrongful death claim, if you are a qualifying representative.
You do not have to remain in the dark about your legal options any longer. Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today at (561) 899-5020.
Drunk Driving is a Nationwide Problem
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every day, 29 people nationwide lose their lives in drunk driving accidents. In 2016, the U.S. spent more than $44 billion on alcohol-related incidents. Despite being a crime, drunk drivers get behind the wheel every day, putting themselves and others at an increased risk of harm.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some of the impairments that prevent a drunk motorist from driving safely include:
- Slowed reflexes
- Poor judgment
- Blurred vision
- Inclination to partake in reckless driving
- Impaired coordination
- Loss of muscle control
- Reduced ability to measure certain distances
- Short-term memory loss
Your collision may have been caused by impairments that we have not included here. To share the details of your accident with us, call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today.
Evidence in a West Palm Beach Drunk Driving Accident
Your West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyer can review the evidence already present in your case or launch an investigation to acquire new forms of proof. Some important pieces of information may lie in the police report made at the accident scene. If the police officer noted any strange behaviors on the part of the other driver, that could be used as evidence in your case.
Some forms of evidence in your case could include:
- Your medical records
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Traffic surveillance footage
- Results of the alcohol blood test, breathalyzer, urine test, or field sobriety test
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction specialist
While you are recovering from your injuries, one of the last things you likely want to do is investigate your own claim. At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we want to undertake your legal burdens while you focus on spending time with your family. To get started with a free consultation, call us today at (561) 899-5020.
Injuries Sustained From a Drunk Driving Accident
One of the ways that we can help you is by looking at your injuries and determining how they were caused by the collision. For example, if you suffered whiplash, we can assume that you were likely hit from behind at high speed. If you suffered a broken arm, we may be able to assume that you were hit from the side.
Some injuries you may have sustained in the collision include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord trauma
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement
- Dismemberment
You may have suffered an injury that we have not included here. We encourage you to share the details of your injuries when you call us today.
Recoverable Damages From a Drunk Driving Accident
Should your case be successful, you may be able to recover the cost of various items associated with the crash.
You may be able to recover the cost of:
- Medical bills, both current and projected
- The cost of modifications to your family home or vehicle, if your injuries impacted your mobility
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Emotional trauma
- Disability
If you are a qualifying representative, and you are filing a wrongful death claim, beneficiaries may be able to recover:
- Their loved one’s medical expenses
- Funeral, burial, and memorial costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of household benefits and parental guidance
- Loss of income
This is not meant to serve as an exhaustive list of recoverable damages.
Get Started With a Free Consultation From Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers
At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we want you to know that we can help you, no matter how severe your injuries are. We understand that right now, you may be missing time from work or be unable to pursue the hobbies that once brought you joy. While you may be going through a challenging time, you are not alone.
Our legal team works on a contingency-fee basis. For you, as a claimant, this means that if we do not get compensation for you and your family, then you do not owe us our attorney’s fees. We do this not only to minimize your financial risk but also to show how important the resolution of your case is to us.
With a West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyer, you do not have to feel that your situation is hopeless. To get started with a free consultation, call us today at (561) 899-5020.
