Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident with a drunk driver in Lakeland, FL? These cases can give you additional legal rights that other car accidents might not have, possibly leading to a high-value personal injury claim. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help every step of the way.
We’re one of Lakeland, Florida’s top-rated personal injury law firms. Altogether, our Lakeland DUI accident lawyers have 119 years of experience practicing law. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for our deserving clients and are confident we can secure winning results for your case as well.
Call today at (863) 251-6196 to get started with a free initial consultation with a Lakeland DUI accident attorney. Contact us now, you can receive legal advice at that time with no strings attached.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a DUI Accident in Lakeland, FL
Car accidents can be traumatic enough on their own, but the aftermath may be much more so when a drunk driver is responsible. Florida law is clear in that you are entitled to compensation in this scenario, but the insurance companies won’t make it an easy process. That’s where hiring an experienced Lakeland personal injury attorney can make all the difference.
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers understands the law surrounding DUI accident cases and will use our extensive knowledge and skills to your benefit. Our Lakeland car accident attorneys are some of the most well-regarded in the region, earning our reputation as “The Aggressive Attorneys” because of our willingness to take any case to trial.
Our Lakeland DUI accident lawyers will get to work for you by:
- Determining your legal options
- Detailing all of your damages
- Hiring expert witnesses as necessary
- Filing all the paperwork and handling all the communications
- Explaining your rights under Florida personal injury law
- Negotiating on your behalf to reach a settlement agreement
- Taking your case to court if that’s what’s best
Contact our Lakeland, Florida, law offices today to schedule your free case review. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only receive attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you.
How Common Are DUI Accidents in the Lakeland Area?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has detailed DUI accident statistics for every county in the state.
For Polk County, the most recent data are as follows:
- 2024 (as of early September): 100 crashes, 7 fatalities, and 73 injuries
- 2023: 153 crashes, 12 fatalities, and 108 injuries
- 2022: 169 crashes, 15 fatalities, and 116 injuries
Note that these figures only relate to alcohol-involved accidents. There are also a sizable number of crashes involving drugs as well as some where both drugs and alcohol played a role.
What Damages Can I Recover After a DUI Accident in Lakeland, Florida?
You can receive both economic and non-economic damages following a DUI accident in Lakeland. Punitive damages could be available too if your case goes to trial.
Economic damages are for your financial costs and include:
- Lost wages/diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Medical bills
Non-economic damages represent your subjective types of losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages are rare, but they might be an option in some DUI accident cases. However, you’ll need to present “clear and convincing evidence” in favor of your claim, which is more than you need for the other kinds of damages.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Lakeland DUI Accident?
Florida is a “no-fault” state, so you can file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance provider no matter who caused the accident. However, the state has carved out an exception to these rules for DUI cases.
That means that you can likely file a claim against the other driver directly and/or their insurance carrier. In those instances, Florida’s “modified comparative negligence” law with a 51% recovery bar will apply. You can still receive (possibly reduced) damages if you share some responsibility, but you cannot be mostly at fault. Nonetheless, you are likely to receive much more money than you can through your PIP insurance.
A trusted attorney can respond to allegations of blame so that you can recover what your claim is really worth.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lakeland DUI Accident Attorneys
We’re here to help if you were injured in a Lakeland, Florida, DUI accident. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers has a winning reputation that insurance companies and other at-fault parties take notice of.
Contact our Lakeland DUI accident attorneys today for a completely free initial consultation. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for deserving victims in the area and will work just as hard on your behalf.
