Suffering injuries because of a drunk driver can impact your physical, financial, and emotional health. If you or a loved one was injured in this situation, our Fort Myers drunk driving accident lawyers can build your case.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can calculate your losses, negotiate a settlement, and advocate for your rights.
You Could Recover These Losses Following Your Collision
With the help of our legal team in Lee County, your settlement could cover your:
- Lost and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Loss of consortium
- Damage to your vehicle
- Other losses caused by the accident, like funeral expenses
Most of our cases end with insurance settlements. Yet, we can seek damages in court if the insurer refuses to negotiate fairly.
What Factors Can Affect Your Settlement Amount?
Your losses will comprise both economic and non-economic damages. To calculate your economic damages, we will look at your receipts, medical bills, and employment records. To calculate your non-economic losses, however, we’ll need to examine your situation as a whole, including:
- Your age
- Whether you lost a loved one
- Your working ability
- Your day-to-day function
- Your independence
- Your physical and emotional health
- Your missed time from work
We have recovered multi-million-dollar settlements for injured people and their loved ones. During your free case review, you could get more insight into our case results.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Lawsuit
Drunk driving accident cases in Fort Myers are subject to the state’s statute of limitations codified in Florida Statutes § 95.11. We can help you abide by these deadlines as long as you call us soon enough. If you do not file your lawsuit in time, you may see it dismissed by the court.
Does This Deadline Apply to Everyone?
Our team has been serving Florida since 2006. We know that not all cases are the same. In fact, some exceptions could extend your case’s filing deadline. These exceptions include:
- You were hit by a hit-and-run driver.
- The other party tried to hide their identity at the accident scene by giving you a fake name.
- The other party left the state.
- A disability prevented you from filing your case.
- You were hurt as a minor.
However, even the smallest assumption could jeopardize your case. We recommend consulting with our Fort Myers law firm as soon as possible to understand your options.
How Can Our Lawyers in Lee County Help You?
Consider how the following services could benefit your situation:
We Work on a Contingency
We do not take your bank balance into account when examining your case. That’s because we work on a contingency. Instead of charging hourly rates, upfront fees, and retainers, we take our attorney’s fees from your settlement.
So, in a successful case, you could afford to hire our team and get compensation for your losses. Otherwise, you don’t owe anything.
We Can Investigate Your Case
While we interview witnesses, consult with field experts, and review your situation, we may find the following pieces of evidence:
- The accident report
- Your medical intake records
- Photos of your injuries and the accident scene
- The other party’s driving and arrest records
- Blood or breath test results
- Your car’s black box data
- Traffic camera footage
All of these items could prove that because of a drunk driver, you were injured and suffered losses.
We Can Explain Florida’s Insurance Laws
All vehicle owners in Florida must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that reimburses policyholders for up to $10,000 of medical bills, lost wages, and other costs, according to Florida Statutes § 627.736. Some drivers have additional coverage, such as collision insurance. Certain drivers may have to carry collision insurance because of their driving history.
What does this mean for you? Well:
- Usually, following an accident, you file a claim with your own insurer.
- You must receive medical treatment for your injuries within the first 14 days to claim benefits.
- Yet, after filing your claim, $10,000 might not pay for all of your losses. Then, you can turn to the other driver’s coverage.
- If the other driver has collision insurance, it may cover your economic damages if they exceed your PIP limit. If not, however, your lawyer in Fort Myers can uncover other avenues of seeking damages.
Insurance matters can get complicated. However, with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, it doesn’t have to be.
We Can File Your Civil Lawsuit
If the insurance company won’t settle, then we’ll file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. Here, you can expect our team to:
- Present your case’s evidence
- Cross-examine witnesses
- Oversee the deposition-taking process
- Argue your case
- Protect you against unfair practices
- Follow courtroom protocol
- Prepare you to give a statement
We will do everything in our power to get what you are owed. We go the extra mile for our clients.
Resources for Drunk Driving Accident Claimants
One of our founding partners, Marc Anidjar, works closely with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). That’s because he understands the toll that a drunk driving accident can take on victims and their loved ones.
As you consider our help, here are two resources that could alleviate this stressful time:
- MADD offers educational and mental health resources for victims of drunk driving.
- You could find a support group in Lee County by visiting Psychology Today.
We care more about your case; we care about your entire situation. Your lawyer could provide other resources in the aftermath of your drinking and driving accident.
Criminal Cases and Civil Cases are Not the Same
The criminal case against the drunk driver will not yield compensation for your losses. The criminal justice system holds people accountable when they break the law. The civil justice system, however, is a bit different; it seeks to hold people financially accountable for their actions.
If you want to pursue damages, you’ll need to file a claim or lawsuit. Both are separate from the other party’s criminal charges.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Wants to Discuss Your Case
While you move on from this traumatic event, our team can manage your case’s obligations. We can file your claim or lawsuit, calculate your losses, and chart your next steps. We will not settle your case without your permission. To connect with our team, dial 1-800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
