Civil Repercussions for Drunk Drivers that Cause Fatal Accidents in Florida

Drunk driving is not only dangerous for a driver themself and any passengers they have in their vehicle, but it is also incredibly reckless and puts others on the road at risk of harm, too. A drunk driver who causes a fatal accident will likely face severe criminal punishments. Florida drunk driving laws where a fatal accident takes place allow for the charge of DUI manslaughter. DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony in most cases. Sometimes, it is possible to have DUI manslaughter be charged as a first-degree felony.

A conviction of deadly drunk driving in Florida can result in imprisonment for as long as 30 years, thousands of dollars in fines, license suspension, probation, in-patient alcohol treatment, and more. But that is not all. A drunk driver who kills someone is also likely to face serious civil repercussions as well. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 11,654 people who lost their lives in accidents with an alcohol-impaired driver. The number of deaths from drunk driving accidents makes up 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the entire United States. Every day, 32 people die in drunk driving car accidents in the U.S.

If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident in Florida, then you have the right to take legal action. Recovering compensation will not change your circumstances, but it can help with the expenses that you were burdened with as a result of the loss of your loved one. For legal assistance, you can contact a Florida wrongful death attorney at Fulgencio Law.

Civil Consequences of Deadly Drunk Driving in Florida

The family or estate of an individual who lost their life after a drunk driving accident can file a wrongful death claim against the drunk driver. This civil suit would hold the drunk driver liable for causing the deadly accident. In a wrongful death claim, compensatory damages can be calculated. The money that is secured from a wrongful death claim would go to the victim’s family or their estate and provide compensation for losses such as final expenses and funeral costs, medical bills, emotional pain and suffering, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other financial deficits sustained after the deadly accident.

In some cases, a drunk driving accident that is fatal can rise to the level of warranting punitive damages. Punitive damages are a form of punishment where an extra amount of money is awarded to victims on top of their compensatory damages. It is rare for a civil suit to have punitive damages assigned since this form of financial recompense is only awarded in situations where the reckless behavior of a defendant is particularly egregious. A deadly car accident caused by an intoxicated driver could rise to that level where extra financial punishment is not only fair but necessary.

Call Fulgencio Law Today

Deadly drunk driving accidents can cause significant emotional grief and also costly damages. To hold a drunk driver accountable for their actions, you may file a wrongful death suit. If you would like help filing a suit, contact Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123 to discuss your case during a free consultation.