ORLANDO DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
A drunk-driving crash is preventable. The injury claim still requires prompt evidence, careful investigation, and a complete insurance review.
The Jaspon Firm represents people and families injured by drunk or drug-impaired drivers in Orlando and Central Florida. Jeremiah Jaspon investigates the crash, reviews available insurance, and pursues accountability for the physical, financial, and personal losses caused by an impaired driver.
- Direct attorney involvement from Jeremiah Jaspon
- Help preserving criminal, crash-scene, and insurance evidence
- Review of all potentially available insurance coverage
- No attorney’s fees or costs unless there is a recovery
A criminal DUI case and an injury claim are different
When an impaired driver causes a crash, law enforcement may investigate and pursue criminal charges. A criminal case can be important, but it does not automatically compensate an injured person for medical bills, lost income, future care, pain and suffering, or other losses.
A civil injury claim is separate. It focuses on liability, injuries, insurance coverage, and damages. The outcome of a criminal case may be relevant evidence, but your injury claim should be evaluated independently and without waiting for every criminal proceeding to conclude.
Evidence to preserve after a drunk-driving crash
- Police reports, 911 calls, witness statements, and crash-scene photographs
- Body-camera, dashcam, traffic-camera, and nearby surveillance video
- Vehicle damage, event-data information, and accident-reconstruction evidence
- Arrest reports, chemical-test information, field-sobriety evidence, and criminal-case records when available
- Receipts, location information, business video, and other evidence related to where the driver was before the crash
- Medical records, diagnostic testing, treatment plans, work restrictions, and proof of lost income
Who may be responsible?
The impaired driver is often the primary party whose conduct caused the crash. Depending on the facts, other insurance policies or responsible parties may also need to be evaluated, including an employer, vehicle owner, commercial insurer, rideshare policy, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Claims against bars, restaurants, stores, or hosts
Florida has a limited dram-shop statute. In general, a person who sells or furnishes alcohol may be liable only in specific circumstances, including knowingly serving a person who is not of lawful drinking age or knowingly serving a person habitually addicted to alcohol. These claims are highly fact-specific and should not be assumed in every DUI accident. Review Florida’s dram-shop statute.
What to do after being hit by a drunk driver
- Call 911 and get medical help.
Seek emergency care for injuries and cooperate with law enforcement at the scene. - Do not confront the driver.
Impaired people can be unpredictable. Keep a safe distance and let law enforcement handle the situation. - Document the crash.
Photograph vehicles, damage, the roadway, signs, signals, witnesses, and visible injuries when it is safe to do so. - Get the report number and preserve information.
Save all documents, photographs, insurance letters, medical records, and work-loss information. - Report the accident to your insurer carefully.
Provide required basic information, but do not guess about fault, injuries, prognosis, or the full impact of the crash. - Speak with an attorney promptly.
Video, witness recollections, business records, and other evidence can disappear quickly.
Florida PIP and other insurance coverage
Florida PIP benefits may provide limited coverage after a qualifying motor-vehicle crash regardless of fault. Initial services and care generally must occur within 14 days after the accident to qualify for PIP medical benefits. Serious injuries may require evaluating the impaired driver’s liability insurance, UM coverage, commercial policies, and other available insurance. Review the current Florida PIP statute.
Compensation after a drunk-driving accident
When evidence and coverage support a claim, compensation may include medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, scarring, and other legally recoverable losses. In some cases, punitive damages may be an issue, but they are not automatic and depend on the facts and applicable law.
Drunk driving accident questions
Can I bring an injury claim if the drunk driver was not convicted?
Possibly. A civil injury claim and a criminal case are separate matters. The evidence and legal standards are different, and the circumstances should be reviewed individually.
Can I sue the bar or restaurant that served the driver?
Florida dram-shop claims are limited and fact-specific. A business is not automatically liable simply because it served alcohol to a driver who later caused a crash.
What if the drunk driver has little or no insurance?
Other coverage may be available, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, a commercial policy, or another applicable policy. A case review can identify possible sources.
Do I pay attorney’s fees upfront?
No. The Jaspon Firm handles injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. There are no attorney’s fees or costs unless there is a recovery.