DUI Accidents in Tampa, FL

Despite the well-known dangers of impaired driving, thousands of drunk driving accidents happen every year. These car accidents can easily be prevented when drivers are responsible and follow the law. However, these drivers instead choose to imbibe, get behind the wheel, and put other motorists and road users at risk in Tampa, Florida.

If you were hurt in a DUI accident or lost a loved one in a DUI accident, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our Tampa car accident lawyers can discuss your legal rights and options when you contact us for a free case consultation. Get started by contacting our Tampa law office today at (813) 223-6200.

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How Our Tampa Auto Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Collision

How Our Tampa DUI Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Collision

At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced injury lawyers have more than 119 years of combined legal experience, a distinction that only a few Tampa-area law firms could claim.

We use our vast knowledge, expertise, and resources to help our clients recover maximum compensation by:

Locating well-qualified physicians to provide care to our clients and explain how their injuries affect their life
Gathering strong evidence to prove liability and how the accident has affected our clients
Communicating with insurance companies on behalf of our clients so that they can concentrate on their recovery
Fighting for maximum compensation through negotiations or at trial, if necessary

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers prides itself on providing personalized attention to each and every client. Let us show you what makes us different when you contact our Tampa car accident attorneys for your free case review.

What Is Driving Under the Influence in Florida?

Driving under the influence means a person is operating a motor vehicle while actively impaired by alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances. Therefore, a person can be charged with the offense of driving under the influence if they are impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs.

Additionally, under Florida law, DUI can be charged if the driver is under the influence of certain chemicals, including acetone, trichloroethane, isopropanol, nitrous oxide, or diethyl ether.

How Common Are DUI Accidents in Florida?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle accidents in 2020.

According to statistics, here in the Sunshine State, 746 people died in crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both in 2020, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

The FLHSMV Crash Dashboard reports that a total of 495 people in Hillsborough County were involved in collisions involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both in 2021. As of October 1, 2022, 356 people in Hillsborough County have been in impaired driving accidents, resulting in 29 fatalities.

What Is Florida’s DUI Law?

Under Florida law, there are three situations when a person can be in violation of the state’s DUI law:

The driver has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood
The driver has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath
The driver is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a chemical substance to the extent that their normal faculties are impaired

The penalties for a first-time offender include possible imprisonment of up to six months, along with a fine between $500 and $1,000. If the driver’s blood alcohol level was .15 or higher or there was a minor in the vehicle, the maximum term of imprisonment is nine months, and the fine jumps to $1,000 to $2,000.

Subsequent offenses are punished more harshly. Ignition interlock devices may be required to be installed in the perpetrator’s vehicle.

What Are the Dangers of Drinking and Driving?

DUI crashes tend to cause more serious injuries and deaths than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Impaired drivers do not notice hazards as easily and may find it difficult to maintain their vehicles in the same lane and speed.

This can cause collisions at higher speeds. Additionally, alcohol tends to lower people’s inhibitions and make them more likely to take risky actions, such as running a red light, taking a left turn at an intersection, or even committing a hit-and-run.

How To Prove That Drug or Alcohol Impairment Caused the Crash in Tampa

To show that the other driver was impaired, you will need strong evidence, such as:

Medical records that show the driver’s blood or breath alcohol level
Accident reports that cite the driver for drunk driving
A history of drunk driving
Witness statements regarding the driver’s consumption of alcohol
Traffic camera footage showing erratic driving behavior

A Tampa DUI accident attorney can help you gather and preserve valuable evidence to support your claim.

What Compensation Can You Seek After a DUI Crash in Tampa, FL?

Florida law allows accident victims to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by the accident.

Additionally, punitive damages could also be awarded to victims. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar misconduct in the future. They are reserved for the most egregious of cases. Because a person chooses to drink and then drive, this can be seen as a particularly reckless action that warrants the award of these damages.

Contact Our Car Crash Lawyers in Tampa, FL, for Help After a DUI Accident

There is never an excuse for drinking and driving. You deserve full accountability if you were hurt in a crash caused by a reckless drunk driver, whether it was a single-vehicle accident, a head-on crash, a highway crash, a rear-end crash, a parking lot accident, a recreational vehicle accident, a rollover accident, a multi-vehicle accident, or any other kind of accident.

Let the team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free case consultation with an experienced Tampa drunk driving accident lawyer.

Additional Car Accident Resources

Anthony David

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Winters & Yonker are an extremely knowledgeable car accident attorneys in Tampa. Marc represented me injured in a car crash when I was coming off I-4. He is clearly the best in the field! The entire team at his firm is AMAZING!!!They helped through my whole process always keeping me up to date. They referenced me to the best doctors to assist in my recovery. I always felt comfortable with every part of it specially now in the pandemic time. The stuff is very friendly and always available for you. I specifically like to thank PRE-LITIGATION department. They were passionate, dedicated and professional. Marc worked very hard on my case and did fantastic job!!! I am very pleased with the outcome of my case. The results are outstanding. I highly recommend Marc and his entire Firm. You guys are AWESOME! Thank You to everyone at this firm!

Karla Rogers

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Best lawyer ever! I had an accident gave them a call and like three months later, case Settled and full payout... Excellent service!

Lenette Montalvo

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Christopher from Winter and Yonker was amazing. Very nice person to talk to, listen to what I had to say, and even gave his opinion when needed. From start to finish I felt very important and I was impressed by this law firm every one i spoke to made me feel safe and comfortableto. My accident has done a lot of damage to me, and knowing I had an attorney from Winters and Yonker on my side made me feel great. My compensation for my accident is amazing and it will help me in my life. Thank you very much I will definitely recommend this law firm.

coleman vera

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I went to Winter & Yonker Law Firm for my Tampa car accident case I was involved in. My case manager throughout the process and she took care of me from start to finish. The process was very seamless, I received the medical treatment that I needed immediately and at the very end, concluded with a very rewarding settlement. I've worked with a few law firms from prior accidents and none can compare to the service OR expertise I received from Mr. Yonker.👉 If you're seeking help for an injury related case, I would definitely recommend working with him and their amazing legal staff at Winter & Yonker Firm in Tampa. I will always use this firm for all my Personal Injury Claims! If you are l@@king for an Attorney to give you Top Notch legal help and the MOST money for your Pain & Suffering then take it from me I'm a paralegal and this firm continues to OUTSHINE them all!

Meredith Wilson

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This was my first personal injury experience. I wanted to choose a law office I could trust. A friend of mine recommended the law offices of Winters & Yonker, Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa. Through the entire process Attorney Marc Yonkers was helpful and communication was stellar. I never felt out the loop. I felt confident throughout entire process. Which this month (Sept. 2023) they were able to settle my accident case successfully and to my 100% satisfaction. I cannot recommend Winters & Yonker and or Marc any higher. In short they are firm, fair, aggressive, responsive, super smart and know the numerous ins and outs of Personal Injury cases (which can be quite complicated). Upon hiring them you get a law firm that will leave you confident that your case will be handled expertly and with your interests front and center.

Geneva Ramirez

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Winters and Yonkers has been a legend of the Tampa Bay personal injury Attorney community for a long time. I was in a car accident recently with my husband, we suffered back and neck pains after two days and thought to get someone’s help. I found Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers through a google search and called them right up. The same day Mr. Winters contacted both of us, listened, and was compassionate to our situation. He helped us through the entire process including getting me seen by a Doctor so we could heal our injuries correctly, and we got our medical bills reduced! Bill Winters, my case manager, and the entire staff were very knowledgeable and exceptional at their work. We would like to express my sincere gratitude to them and recommend them without any hesitation to anybody who needs help, don't try and fight the at fault's insurance on your own. If you're injured and need someone to protect your rights you won't find a better Attorney than Bill Winters at Winters & Yonkers!-Geneva, Tampa FL#personalinjurylawyer #caraccidentlawyer #tampainjuryattorney

Shelley Torres

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Bum Boi

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My wife and I are work in Mediation and Arbitration but know nothing about personal injury cases. When a young delivery Truck driver who was distracted by his phone hit us at full speed and rear-ended us as we were stopped in traffic on Wesley chapel. We knew we needed to hire the best lawyers with PI experience and expertise in the Tampa legal community that we could.From our first phone call with Bill Winters and then all the way through Trial preparation then Trial, we never felt any bad about our case because we knew Bill and the entire staff at Winters and Yonker would take care of us.Their dedication, innovation, motivation, reliability, unparalleled intellect, and exceptional skill as trial lawyers make them extraordinary individuals. My experience working with them was nothing short of exceptional. Experiencing a car accident is an ordeal that encompasses fear, trauma, and frustration. It's a life-changing event in anyone's life. There was no amount of money that could ever make me alright, because I would give any amount of cash to not have to go through the nightmare that the car accident was and continues to be.It took almost 2 years from the time of the car crash to go to trial, but ultimately the jury verdict that Bill Winters got for my family was worth fighting for. There were so many times over the course of the three years that we actively realized how amazing it was that we felt no anxiety or concerns or worries about our case, because Bill is truly outstanding!If you or anyone you know gets hurt in a car accident, call Winters and Yonkers RIGHT AWAY! And then rest assured that you, your family, or friends are being cared for by the ABSOLUTE BEST legal team in Tampa Bay. Thank you, Winters & Yonker!

Glenda Litimco

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Winters & Yonker law firm did excellent work with my injury case. Luckily, I was referred to Winters & Yonker from a good friend after I was injured in a car accident. I did some initial research about injury lawyers near me, but the reviews for this office really stood out to me in Tampa. I decided to call and after a single phone conversation, the choice was easy to make! Not only was everyone extremely professional, they made the entire process smooth and clear. I was at ease with each step of the way because they were always there to answer my questions and keep me informed of what was happening. All expectations were met and my settlement was exceeded. I got much more than I thought was even possible from the insurance company. I highly recommend the Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, and their team in Tampa to anyone in need of help after a car, truck, or motorcycle accident. You'll be in good hands!

Dandrea Ikner

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This is the best lawyer in town

Nicky Warner

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Max was amazing! He kept me updated throughout the whole process and was extremely easy to talk with. He also explained everything so I can completely understand it. It was an amazing experience. Thank you, Max!

Erika Smith

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I had a great experience with them! They truly care about you!! Thank you so much🤗

Jonathan Clem

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I was injured in a car crash here in town. Since it was essentially a "he said she said" accident case the opposing insurance claimed it was a 50/50 fault. Even though it clearly could not have been my fault. However, Bill worked diligently to get me everything I was needed to get my life back. He worked to get me access to all the doctors I needed and medical treamtment for my neck and back. Plus, a large settlement amount. Bill even took the time to calm me down when I saw the initial amount and cost for seeing my medical bills piling up! He even managed to get them to reduce their bills significantly! Plus, I received as much as possible. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa provided a great legal service. They were strait forward and honest about the approach, and communicated every aspect of the process. The firm took care of everything. I would 100% without a doubt recommend him if I knew someone that need a personal injury attorney. Given the circumstances of our introduction I hope I never have to, BUT Bill Winters will definitely be my first call if I'm ever injured again!

marie silvers

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They are the Best! They care about you as a person!

jorden reagan

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Everyone on their staff is amazing! Chris and Sara won my case and helped me out with an accident that occurred a few months back. They made the entire process so easy! They called with case updates but not too often where it was constant phone calls. It was just enough to know what was going on the whole time without being bombarded. Thankful for Tayler on their staff who helped inform me on why Winters and Yonker was the best choice to go with!

Kimberly Rushton

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Yes, I would highly recommend winners in Yonkers. I worked with Trevor and Trevor was the best. I recommend anyone that ever needs a lawyer to go to them. They are the best.

Pat Pawelkop

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Highly recommend. Bill Winters and his staff took time to answer my questions, and handled my case in a timely and professional manner. I almost didn't contact a lawyer over my "small" injury case because I feared it would be so difficult and stressful. But he got me the settlement that my insurance company owed me, and I would never have been able to do that on my own. And with less stress that I anticipated. I'm glad I called them.

Amysway Barton

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Always available

Certified Soul

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Winters and Yonker is who you want to go to when you get in a car accident because they will take care of you and won’t let you get low balled on your settlement. I got in a car accident where my back and shoulder was injured and I was referred to a attorney named Trevor. I appreciate Trevor for handling my case and keeping me informed with all the information I needed.

Sean S

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One of the best law firms in Tampa. My family was involved in a serious car accident. We went to that other personal injury firm with the two M's they were trying to make us settle the case quickly and they we're not listening to us with the arrogant attitude that they were the experts and we were just ignorant. We promptly fired them and then hired Winters & yonker. Our settlement was 5 times higher than what the MM wanted to settle for.I would like to thank Winters and Yonkers entire staff for a wonderful experience. They were all very knowledgeable and walked us through the whole process. We really felt like they cared, unlike the other firm.

Linda Robinson

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I’m giving Winters & Yonker a shout out. My mother fell in Winn Dixie afew months ago. Her first choice wasMorgan & Morgan; however, after theinterview with them they decided not to take the case. My perception was that it was not a big enough case for them. I knew that she deserved to be compensated for her injuries, and I had mad faith in Winters & Yonker from using them in the past. They not only took the case but settled it in record time. Thanks Winters and Yonker, and I like to send a special thank you to Christopher Smith, who was never to busy when I needed answers. I would recommend your law firm to anyone. I found you to be ethical, professional, and respectful to my family, but most of all you will fight for the little guy. Much love and respect. God bless you all and your families👏👏👏👏

Reuben Rodriques

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Other said it couldn't be done called your law firm and immediately you got on it impressive shocking furthermore you showed integrity did what you had to do though you didn't have to do it and I was shockingly pleased thank you you surprised me had I to choose any other law firm I would not hesitate to call you or share my experience with my friends thank you once again from me and my family amen

Hameed Owens

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PATRICK IS THE GOAT 🐐 I WAS INJURED ON A PROPERTY THAT CLAIM THEY DIDN'T COVER MY INJURY PATRICK SAID BE PATIENT & LET HIM WORK!:& HE DEFINITELY DID JUST THAT!!!: HE CHANGED MY LIFE 🐐💯

Enrique

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