Drunk Driving Lawyer in Tampa
Drunk driving accidents in Tampa tend to result in devastating consequences, leaving victims struggling with debilitating injuries, excruciating pain, and endless medical bills that can forever change their lives. However, if you or a loved one suffered harm in a Tampa drunk driving accident, you do not have to take on this challenging ordeal on your own.
You may even be entitled to monetary compensation for the harm and losses you endured. That is why following this incident, consider contacting an experienced Tampa drunk driving accident lawyer from Holliday Karatinos Law Firm as soon as possible. Our lawyers can help you take on this case and assist you as you fight for the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
About Our Firm
Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, is a law firm that focuses on providing top-quality legal representation to those harmed in a personal injury accident. Our dedicated legal team not only advocates for victims inside a courtroom, but we also make sure that these individuals receive the dedicated legal representation they need to fight hard for every last dollar they deserve.
More importantly, while our firm offers our clients the personal attention that is usually found in a small firm, we also have the resources and finances to take on the most complex cases. As a result of this dedication and drive, we have helped countless clients over the years and secured over $125,000,000 on their behalf.
That is why if you suffered harm in a Tampa drunk driving accident, reach out to Holliday Karatinos Law Firm for a free case consultation. Our legal team can also meet with you at one of our many locations, including our Lutz office, located only twenty minutes from Tampa, off of Sunlake Blvd.
Drunk Driving Stats You Should Know About
Every day, approximately 32 people are killed in a drunk-driving accident in the United States, or roughly one individual every 45 minutes. However, this problem extends locally as well.
In fact, according to The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, every year, over 800 individuals are killed in Florida because of drunk driving. Moreover, the Tampa area experiences around 419 alcohol-related crashes yearly, resulting in approximately 223 injuries and 28 deaths.
The Facts About Drunk Driving in Tampa
Alcohol is known to reduce the brain’s function and impact a person’s reasoning, muscle coordination, and thinking. All things that are needed to operate a motor vehicle safely.
As a result, when individuals get into an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, it can result in some devastating accidents, including:
- Head-on accidents
- Pedestrian collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Wrong-way accidents
However, no matter how your motor vehicle accident occurred, if you were harmed because another person was driving drunk, consider reaching out to an experienced Tampa drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible. At Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, our legal team can review what happened, figure out if you have a valid legal claim, and help you pursue the justice and monetary damages you are entitled to.
Injuries Resulting From a Tampa Drunk Driving Accident
Although the injuries that result from a drunk driving accident will depend on a number of factors, in general, these accidents are known to produce the following debilitating consequences:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back Trauma
- Neck injuries
- Significant lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Scarring
- Burns
- Amputations
- Disfigurement
- Death
Drunk Driving Accidents in Tampa and the Local Issues That Can Impact Your Legal Claim
Downtown Tampa is known for its variety of clubs, bars, and restaurants. Many of which tend to stay open late to accommodate those wanting to enjoy everything that Tampa has to offer. Unfortunately, these late-night hours can lead to tragic outcomes, especially when individuals drive drunk after a night out exploring these venues and establishments.
However, if you or a family member endured harm in a drunk driving accident in Tampa, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and injuries. Yet, to make sure you are able to secure these damages, it is best that you do not wait to act following this tragic accident, as the deadline to file a drunk driving accident claim in Florida is four years.
If you fail to file within this time, you cannot pursue further legal action to obtain the money you need. Plus, depending on the situation, exceptions may apply to this rule that can impact this filing deadline.
For these reasons, if you want to make sure you file your legal claim before time expires, consider contacting the Holliday Karatinos Law Firm as soon as you can. Our attorneys can figure out the amount of time you have to pursue legal action following your drunk driving accident, as well as ensure that your legal motions and files are prepared and submitted before this time runs out.
Monetary Damages Following a Tampa Drunk Driving Accident
If you endured harm in a Tampa drunk driving accident due to the negligent actions of another, you deserve compensation for the injuries and losses you sustained. In Florida, there are numerous damages you can pursue following this accident. They include:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate an injured individual for the financial harm caused by an accident.
These damages generally include payment for:
- Medical bills, including past and present expenses related to doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, assistive medical devices, surgeries, and other medical treatments
- Ongoing medical care, such as rehabilitative therapy
- Personal property damages, such as car replacement costs or repairs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Fees related to the replacement of at-home services
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate a victim for their personal, hard-to-prove losses following an accident.
These damages include compensation for a person’s:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Humiliation
- Disfigurement
Punitive Damages
In addition, you might recover punitive damages . The court rarely awards these damages, which punish the wrongful party for their egregious actions and deter parties from committing these acts.
Dealing with the Insurance Companies Following a Tampa Drunk Driving Accident
Even if an individual was harmed in a Tampa drunk driving accident due to the negligent actions of another, it is common for the insurance company to try to take advantage of these victims by offering them less money than they deserve.
Insurance companies, like other businesses, want to make a profit. The only way they can secure this profit is if they pay out less in claims or deny them altogether. As a result, it is common for insurers and their agents to do everything they can to find something they can use against you to hurt your case.
For these reasons, following a Tampa drunk driving accident, consider reaching out to a Tampa drunk driving accident lawyer at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm. Our attorneys can help you better understand the deceitful tactics these insurance companies may try on you, as well as take over any discussions you may have with them to ensure that you do not say something that can prevent you from getting all the money you need.
Taking Action After a Tampa Drunk Driving Accident
Following a Tampa drunk driving accident, getting medical help should be your top priority. However, depending on the circumstances of the accident, you should also consider taking other steps that can help protect your legal rights and allow you to secure evidence that can support your legal claim.
These steps include:
Call the Authorities Immediately
Call 911 immediately after your drunk driving accident. This can ensure that medical personnel are promptly notified of the incident and that the police are dispatched to the scene.
Plus, after these officers complete their investigation, they can record their findings in the police report, which your lawyer can use to prepare the strongest legal case on your behalf.
Check-in with a Doctor
Reviewing your injuries with a doctor can also help your legal claim, as these medical professionals will create a medical report following their examination that will detail the extent of your trauma. This report can also serve as evidence of a connection between the drunk driving accident and your injuries. Consequently, even if your injuries appear minor, you should still get examined by a doctor after the crash.
Gather Evidence from the Accident Scene
If possible, you should try to gather as much evidence following the drunk driving accident, including photos and videos of:
- The motor vehicles involved in the drunk driving incident
- The placement of these vehicles on the road
- The weather and road conditions at the time of the incident
- Your injuries
- Traffic signals and signs near the area
- Other evidence that indicates the other driver was operating their vehicle under the influence of alcohol, such as beer or liquor bottles in the car
Get Information From Others at the Scene
Exchange information with those involved in the accident, including names, contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers. However, if these individuals are not cooperating or acting too unruly, wait in your car or in a safe spot for the police to arrive. These officers can gather these details for you, and your attorney can obtain this information from their police report.
In addition, if there were people who saw the incident, try to get their personal contact information, including name and phone number. These witnesses can offer further details regarding what happened and provide testimony that can help substantiate your legal claim.
However, as you discuss what happened with these individuals, make sure you watch the comments you make.
Remember, the insurer and the other party are looking for anything to use against you. That is why it is in your best interest to avoid making any declaratory comments, taking fault for the incident, or apologizing for what happened.
Contact Holliday Karatinos Law Firm for a Free Case Consultation
Drunk driving accidents can leave victims suffering. Not only physically but emotionally and financially as well. For these reasons, if you or a loved one was harmed in a Tampa drunk driving accident, contact Holliday Karatinos Law Firm as soon as possible.
Once retained, our knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyers can thoroughly review your drunk driving accident, determine if you have a viable legal claim, and figure out the next legal steps you should take.
From there, we can also:
- Carefully investigate the drunk driving incident and obtain the evidence necessary to validate your legal claim.
- Bring in experts to prove your case, including financial specialists, accident reconstructionists, and others.
- Provide you with the answers and support you need during this challenging time.
- Offer you timely communication, so you know what is going on with your case every step of the way.
- Take on the settlement negotiations and fight for a just settlement amount.
- Take your case to court if the other party is not willing to get you the money you need, and fight hard for maximum financial compensation.
If you or a family member sustained significant injuries in a Tampa drunk driving accident, contact us at the Holliday Karatinos Law Firm today at (813) 868-1887 for a free case evaluation and learn how our experienced legal professionals can help you take on this fight and go after the justice you deserve. Reach out to a Tampa personal injury lawyer.
Client Testimonial
"Attorney James Holliday is the best attorney I have ever worked with. I went to him after an auto accident and I was impressed with his knowledge of the situation and judgement on how to proceed. In the end, Mr. Holliday was able to obtain full compensation. He was also a pleasure to work with."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Barb C.
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