Drunk driving accidents often result in serious injuries for those accident victims hit by a drunk driver. This is because drunk drivers are far more likely to speed, or may not react in time to brake or swerve to reduce the force of an impact or collision. As a result, the average amount of compensation obtained in a drunk driving accident falls somewhere within the $50,000 to $100,000 range. Of course, some cases only result in a payout of a few thousand dollars, while a few cases end with a settlement or verdict in the millions or tens of millions of dollars.
If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, you may wonder how much compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and property damage.
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
According to data published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administration, there were 4,984 alcohol-involved crashes across the state of Florida. These accidents included 262 crashes that resulted in a total of 425 injuries, and 1,462 crashes that resulted in 2,639 other minor injuries. Alcohol-related fatal crashes totaled 351 accident, with 378 people dying in those crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, nationally, 28 people die every day in drunk driving crashes. The CDC further notes that an average of a million-plus drivers nationwide are arrested for driving under the influence each year, with over a hundred million episodes of alcohol-impaired driving occurring every year across the U.S.
What Can You Be Compensated for in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?
If you were injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for damages you’ve incurred in the accident, including for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, physical/occupational therapy, medication, or medical equipment like wheelchairs or crutches
- Home care services, if you cannot perform those tasks yourself due to injuries or disabilities from the accident
- Lost wages when you miss work during your recovery
- Lost earning potential if disabilities prevent you from earning the same level of income you did prior to the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to the inability to perform tasks of daily living or participate in activities you previously enjoyed
- Pain and suffering
In addition, you may also be entitled to receive punitive damages when you were seriously hurt by a drunk driver, as under certain circumstances getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is considered the type of egregious behavior that warrants the imposition of punitive damages.
Calculating a Drunk Driving Accident Settlement
Most drunk driving accident claims result in a settlement with the drunk driver and their insurance company. Calculating the value of a drunk driving accident settlement begins with totalling the expenses and financial losses that the injured accident victim has incurred. Next, it is necessary to estimate the expenses and losses that the accident victim is reasonably expected to incur in the future.
Calculating settlement compensation for non-financial losses, such as for pain and suffering or lost quality of life, is usually accomplished by multiplying the accident victim’s financial losses by a factor that can vary based on the severity of the victim’s injuries. Less severe injuries may only result in a multiplier of 1 or 1.5, while permanently disabling injuries may warrant a multiplier of three or four.
Contact a Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Drunk Driving Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a drunk driving accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of drunk driving accidents in Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Boca Raton, and throughout Florida. Call (561) 533-0345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.