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What are the costs associated with being hit by a drunk driver in Florida?

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Boca Raton, FL – When someone is charged with drunk driving, they may have to pay thousands of dollars for fines, court costs, and legal representation. The suspect may also be ordered by a court to attend treatment for drug and alcohol abuse at their own expense. 

However, if they cause an accident, the person they hit may have even larger expenses for vehicle repairs, medical treatment, lost wages and income, and other losses. The costs for a victim of a drunk driver can be very large, and they may need to resort to the legal process to get help with their personal costs even when the driver is charged criminally. 

Damage totals

Various studies have been conducted which reference data that shows drunk driving costs Americans billions of dollars each year. These costs come from a number of different sources. 

A drunk driver typically causes lots of damage when they lose control of their vehicle. Obstacles near the roadside whether they are street signs, enclosures, other cars, or even homes and residential or commercial buildings are regularly damaged by reckless or drunk drivers during an accident. 

Medical costs can also run into thousands or millions of dollars over time if the victim is seriously hurt. 

Insurance increases

Drunk drivers will be penalized on their personal insurance policies, but auto insurance costs also increase for everyone because of drunk drivers. Insurance companies have to factor in the overall risk of being on the roads, and drunk driving is a high risk behavior that comes with a high price tag. All drivers end up paying for drunk driving accidents to a certain degree. 

Retaining a lawyer

Legal help is usually the best way for victims of drunk drivers to get assistance paying for their bills. Personal injury lawsuits can ask for an amount that reflects the total losses associated with the crash. This may be necessary even if there is relevant insurance coverage, as many severe accidents are not entirely covered by an insurance claim. A criminal case brought by the government is for the purposes of punishing the person responsible, rather than paying the victim. While it is possible that there is court ordered restitution for the victim as part of a criminal sentence, these amounts tend to be too small or difficult to collect to make much of a difference. 

Injury lawyers in Florida

Rosenberg Injury Law assists people in Boca Raton, Florida with their accident lawsuits and the process to receive compensation for their injuries. Anyone who needs help from a licensed attorney can call the firm to arrange a meeting and discuss their issues. 

Firm contact info:

The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Rosenberg

5255 North Federal Highway, 3rd Floor, Boca Raton, Florida 33487

561-508-8800

rosenberginjurylaw.com

What kinds of problems can emerge during the auto insurance claim process in Louisiana?

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Baton Rouge, LA – Insurance policies can be confusing, because companies will only cover very specific types of losses included in the policy. That means if a person gets into an accident, their losses may only be partially covered or not covered at all depending on the damage and what kind of insurance they paid for. Due to the complexities of dealing with various problems caused by a car accident and the insurance process, legal advice should be obtained by anyone who is having issues. 

Insufficient coverage

Most standard liability policies cover between ten and twenty five thousand dollars worth of damage to property or for bodily injuries for an accident. It is certainly possible that a driver is involved in an accident that ends up being much more costly for a variety of reasons. However, the insurance provider will only pay out the amount given in the policy, and nothing more. 

Claim denials 

Some insurance companies simply deny claims, even if it appears that the damage in question should be covered. At times, this is an honest mistake that can be corrected, other times the companies are too heavy handed in their fraud prevention measures, which causes legitimate claims to be rejected. Review by a lawyer is usually the best option in this situation. 

Particular damage is not covered

A driver is only required to carry basic liability insurance. There may also be cases where the car needs to have collision insurance if it is financed by a bank or loan. This situation leaves the possibility that anything from theft, to severe weather or pest damage will not be covered unless the driver has purchased an additional comprehensive coverage policy. Due to the increased costs and low likelihood of this kind of damage, many drivers choose to not pay for comprehensive coverage or similar insurance policies that can start to become expensive without offering a return. 

When it may be best to not file a claim

If there is an accident with very minimal damage and no injuries that required medical treatment, it may be best to move on. The insurance company will usually try to recover any money that they have paid out through increased rates. This means that a claim that gives a driver a few hundred dollars could end up costing them much more in higher insurance costs over the next few years. 

Help from auto accident attorneys in Louisiana

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf are experienced lawyers who handle all aspects of car accident lawsuits. Anyone who needs help with receiving compensation after their collision can contact the firm to learn more about insurance and related issues. 

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

www.mlhlaw.com