Who can be held liable for a drunk driving accident in Lake City, Florida?

In addition to the driver who caused the collision, there may be other parties who can be held accountable for a drunk driving accident. According to Florida Statute § 768.125, the person who furnished the alcohol to the driver may also share some of the blame if the following circumstances exist:

• The individual “willfully and unlawfully [sold] or [furnished] alcoholic beverages to [the driver] who [was] not of lawful drinking age.”

• The individual “willfully or unlawfully [sold] or [furnished] alcoholic beverages to [the driver] who [is] habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages.”

If either circumstance exists, the person who provided the alcohol could also be held liable for any injuries or damage the drunken individual caused. For example, if a bartender served an individual alcohol knowing he/she was underage and they caused an alcohol-related crash, the restaurant where the beverages were consumed could potentially be blamed for the incident.

How can a drunk driving accident victim in Florida recover damages for their injuries and other losses?

Drunk driving accident victims can recover damages (i.e. financial relief) by filing a civil lawsuit against the responsible parties. Civil lawsuits are often filed after a victim has filed a claim with the insurance company but was unable to recover the full value of their case. When filing a civil lawsuit, drunk driving accident victims can request they be provided with compensation for any of the following damages:

• Pain and suffering. If a drunk driving accident resulted in an individual suffering injuries, they can request that they be provided with compensation to make up for the pain and suffering they are now left to live with. Placing a value on a person’s pain and suffering can tricky as it isn’t a monetary loss and therefore, victims are encouraged to work with a Lake City, FL drunk driving accident lawyer who can help them determine how much they should seek for their pain and suffering.

• Lost wages. If a drunk driving accident has impacted a person’s ability to work, whether it is temporarily or permanently, they can seek compensation to make up for any wages they are unable to earn. 

• Medical expenses. If a drunk driving accident led to an individual suffering injuries that require medical treatment, they can request that the liable party(ies) provide them with financial relief to cover these costs.

Some additional damages a drunk driving accident victim can seek in their lawsuit include:

• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages

Drunk driving accident victims who need help establishing liability can seek assistance from a qualified Lake City, FL drunk driving accident attorney. The attorneys at Koberlein Law Offices are here to help victims of drunk driving accidents understand their legal rights and fight for the compensation they might be due.

Koberlein Law Offices can be reached at any of their office locations listed down below:

855 SW Baya Drive

Lake City, FL 32025

Phone: 386-269-9802

Website: www.klo-attorneys.com

118 Ohio Avenue N, Suite A

Live Oak, FL 32064

Phone: 386-516-2626

8443 SW 14 Lane

Gainesville, FL 32607

Phone: 352-519-4357