Drunk Driving Accidents

Pensacola Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Representing Victims & Their Families

In the United States, someone dies from a drunk driving-related accident every 45 minutes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 11,000 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2020, marking a 14% increase in impaired driving fatalities from the previous year.

Unfortunately, Florida continuously ranks among the top three worst states for drunk driving alongside California and Texas. According to auto insurance company Bankrate, these three states accounted for almost 30% of all alcohol-related deaths in the nation between 2008 and 2019.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime in Florida, one that comes with harsh criminal and administrative penalties. Drunk drivers can also be held accountable for the injuries and damages they cause in civil lawsuits. By filing a drunk driving accident claim, you can seek fair compensation and the justice you deserve.

Injured by a drunk driver? Contact the Law Office of J.J. Talbott to speak to one of our Pensacola drunk driving accident attorneys about your legal rights: (850) 695-8331.

Florida DUI Laws

In Florida, it is illegal for anyone to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To be considered “under the influence,” an individual must be “deprived of full possession of normal faculties,” which is usually—but not always—measured by blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Florida DUI laws prohibit the operation of a motor vehicle with the following BAC levels:

0.08%: No one, regardless of age or driver’s license class, may operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or above in Florida
0.04%: The legal limit is 0.04% for commercial driver’s license holders who are operating commercial vehicles in Florida
0.02%: Minors, or those under the legal drinking age of 21, may not operate a motor vehicle in Florida with a BAC of 0.02% or above

People who violate the state’s DUI laws face various criminal and administrative penalties, including jail or prison time, steep fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices (IIDs). While these penalties can help deter motorists from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, they do little to compensate victims of drunk driving accidents.

The Effects of Drunk Driving

Consuming alcohol impairs various functions needed to safely operate a motor vehicle, such as coordination, alertness, judgment, and reaction time. As a result, drunk drivers are significantly more likely to cause car crashes than motorists who are not impaired. Additionally, drunk driving accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries and deaths, as drunk drivers typically fail to take necessary actions to avoid a collision, such as braking.

For victims, the effects are devastating. Many suffer life-changing injuries, leading to extreme physical, psychological, and financial hardships.

Some of the most common injuries arising from impaired driving-related crashes include:

Broken bones/fractures
Head and neck injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Partial or complete paralysis
Soft tissue injuries
Internal bleeding
Damage to internal organs
Traumatic amputation

Tragically, many drunk driving accident victims do not survive. Families who are left behind may struggle to cope with the immense emotional and economic consequences of the loss.

Seeking Compensation for Drunk Driving Accident Victims

Being involved in a drunk driving accident can have devastating consequences, both physically and emotionally. Our experienced Pensacola attorneys at the Law Office of J.J. Talbott are dedicated to representing victims and their families who have been impacted by these tragic events. We understand the complexities of Florida DUI laws and will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

When you choose our law firm to handle your case, you can expect:

Compassionate and personalized legal representation
Thorough investigation of the accident to determine liability
Negotiation with insurance companies for fair settlements
Litigation in court if necessary to secure maximum compensation

At the Law Office of J.J. Talbott, our Pensacola drunk driving accident lawyers understand just how devastating these crashes are, both for victims and their families. We are here to help you seek justice. If you were injured or your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, you likely have grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of financial compensation can undo the tragic events that have happened, a fair settlement or verdict can allow you to secure the financial resources needed to manage unexpected expenses so that you can begin to heal.

What Sets Us Apart

Work Directly With Your Attorney
Welcoming and Laid-Back Atmosphere
We Always Return Phone Calls Within 24 Hours
We Treat Our Clients Like Family
Over $100 Million in Recoveries

Our Clients

Say It Best

I really appreciated all the hard work that this law firm put in for me and how nice the people were that worked on my behalf.

Dewitt L.
I was very pleased with the service and the recovery of my lost wages.

Ann M.
I love you all so much. Thanks for all of your hard work! If I ever need to come back it will be you guys. Thanks.

La Rheasa M.
Has always done it correctly and thoroughly. You can give complete trust to J.J. and the whole Talbott staff.

Brian C.
J.J. and his staff have been wonderful assisting both myself and friends in a balcony collapse. We could not have made it through this process without them and I highly recommend them to anyone needing legal assistance. They explained every step of the process as we went through it and they definitely had our best interest at heart.

Amanda M.
The Law Office of J.J. Talbott and his assistant Holly were very good at working my case to get me the maximum amount of money that I was entitled to. J.J. always personally returned phone calls and explained to me in detail what we were doing along the way. Thank you so much for everything!

Darcy C.
“J.J. Talbott Testimonials”
He reminds me of a young Johnny Cochran. They were both born with skills and then polished them….. He is a true attorney! I would recommend him to anyone and I would give him a 10 out of 10.

Langford C.

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How Is a Drunk Driving Accident Claim Different from a DUI Case?

A drunk driving accident claim is a civil action, whereas a DUI case is a criminal one. Civil actions go through civil court, as opposed to criminal court, and allow the people who bring these claims (known as “plaintiffs”) to seek financial restitution for certain losses, or “damages,” they have sustained.

Common damages in drunk driving accident claims include:

Medical expenses
Future medical care
Rehabilitation
Medications
Medical equipment/devices
Hospital fees
Ambulance/emergency transportation costs
Lost income and/or wages
Lost employment benefits
Physical and mental pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Diminished enjoyment/quality of life
Loss of earning ability
Loss of future income
In-home care and assistance
Funeral/burial expenses
Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses associated with the accident

Criminal DUI cases and civil drunk driving accident claims can proceed simultaneously. Additionally, the outcome of one case does not necessarily affect the outcome of the other, though a criminal DUI conviction can serve as strong evidence in a civil lawsuit.

Florida Dram Shop Laws

In some cases, it may be possible to bring a lawsuit against an establishment or vendor that provided a drunk driver with alcohol before the crash, either in addition to or in place of filing a claim against the drunk driver.

Under Florida’s “dram shop” laws, an establishment or vendor can be held liable for injuries and damages caused by an intoxicated individual if:

The intoxicated individual was under 21, and the establishment or vendor “willfully and unlawfully” provided them with alcohol
The establishment or vendor “knowingly” provided alcohol to someone who was “habitually addicted” to alcohol

Additionally, an establishment or vendor can only be held liable if the alcohol provided was meant for immediate consumption. This means that places like bars, taverns, restaurants, and certain venues could potentially be liable, whereas places like grocery stores or liquor stores cannot. And, unlike some states, Florida does not have a “social host” law, meaning you cannot hold a social host (i.e., someone who throws a party or has people over to their home) liable for injuries or damages caused by an intoxicated individual, even if the social host provided that individual with alcohol.

Why Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney?

Drunk driving accident claims tend to fall outside Florida’s no-fault laws, as most drunk driving accident victims sustain catastrophic injuries that meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold. In other words, these cases are usually much more complex than standard car accident claims. It is very important that you work with an experienced attorney who can help you present evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and seek fair compensation for all of your damages.

At the Law Office of J.J. Talbott, our Pensacola drunk driving accident attorneys have decades of combined experience and have recovered more than $100 million in compensation. We treat every client like a member of our family and every case as though it is our only one. When you hire our firm, you do not pay any upfront or out-of-pocket legal expenses. Instead, we only get paid if we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Contact our firm today at (850) 695-8331 to learn how we can help you with your case.

Contact Law Office of J.J. Talbott Today!

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