Drunk driving remains a serious problem on our roads. Drivers impaired by alcohol can fall asleep behind the wheel or make dangerous decisions. That is why nearly 7,600 people died over the last decade in Florida car accidents involving drunk drivers.

After a car crash caused by an alcohol-impaired driver, you may face a long period of pain and suffering, huge medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, you deserve compensation from everyone responsible for your losses, including possibly the bar that sold the beer to the at-fault driver.

If you have been hit by a driver under the influence of drugs or other substances, it’s important to understand your rights and options to recover compensation. Florida law provides various avenues for victims of DUI accidents to seek relief for their hardships. This article explains the five potential sources of compensation after a drunk driving crash.

File a Claim With Your Insurance Company

By law, all Florida drivers must purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. This means that if you have been involved in a drunk driving accident in Florida, your own insurance company is typically the first source of compensation.

Your PIP insurance should cover medical expenses and lost wages. But you’ll need to show proof of your injuries, treatment, and missed paychecks to receive compensation. To qualify for PIP benefits, you must seek treatment within 14 days of the accident.

If your claim is approved, you can expect to receive compensation within 30 days of submitting your claim alongside evidence of injuries and financial losses. If the insurance company delays payment without a good reason, they may be liable to pay your compensation dues plus interest and penalties.

The basic PIP policy covers car accident losses up to $10,000. This means you may face steep medical debt if your losses exceed your PIP limit. Additionally, PIP does not include non-economic damages, so it doesn’t compensate for your pain and suffering. For that reason, you may need to explore other potential sources of compensation if your damages exceed that limit.

File a Claim With the Drunk Driver’s Insurance Company

If your injuries are severe or your losses surpass your PIP coverage, you can file a claim with the drunk driver’s auto insurance company. To secure compensation, you’ll need to prove the other driver’s fault and provide evidence of your injuries and losses.

While the other driver may offer a settlement, be cautious. Remember that insurance companies often offer less than what you claim is worth with the hope that you’ll accept it if you’re desperate for money.

You don’t have to accept the first offer. Accepting it means forfeiting your right to pursue future claims for the accident. You should only accept an offer that adequately compensates your damages. An experienced insurance claim lawyer can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Pursue a Personal Lawsuit Against the Drunk Driver

The drunk driver’s auto insurance company will only compensate you up to their client’s policy limit. If the at-fault driver’s insurance can’t cover your losses in full, or you can’t reach a fair settlement, you can sue the driver in their personal capacity to recover your losses. The problem here is that many drivers don’t have enough personal assets to pay for your damages.

File a Claim Against the Drunk Driver’s Bar or Restaurant

In some cases, the bar, liquor store, or restaurant that served alcohol to the drunk driver can be held liable for the accident. You can do this under Florida’s dram shop law.

This law allows victims of drunk driving to hold vendors of alcohol responsible for the wrong actions of their drunk customers in certain situations.

For example, you can take legal action against the bar if it served beer to a minor who then caused the accident. Also, you can sue the bar or liquor store if they knowingly overserved an adult driver with a known drinking problem.

While driving drunk is illegal, you still need to prove your case to secure compensation. You need to provide proof that the drunk driver caused the crash and also provide evidence of your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.

A skilled DUI accident lawyer can help you determine if you have an option to pursue compensation under the dram shop law. The lawyer can also assist in building strong evidence to support your case and maximize your compensation.

Seek Compensation From the Drunk Driver’s Employer

If the drunk driver was on the job at the time of the accident, you may pursue compensation from their employer. This option is available to you under the vicarious liability rules. If an employee drives while drunk and harms people, the employer may be held accountable, especially if the incident involves a company car.

Since companies typically have greater financial resources than individual drivers do, this route can yield generous compensation for your damages.

What Compensation Do You Receive After a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you get injured in a drunk driving accident, you can claim various types of compensation. In most cases, DUI accident compensation covers:

Medical Expenses

You should be reimbursed for the cost of treating your injuries. This often includes bills for hospital stays, medicines, and follow-up medical care. You will need to provide proof of medical expenses to claim compensation.

Lost Wages

If you are forced to miss work because of your injuries, you deserve compensation for lost wages. You will need to provide pay stubs and other records to claim damages for lost earnings.

Pain and Suffering

Many people experience mental challenges and emotional distress after car accidents. Plus, you may be unable to perform your daily routines or participate in certain activities because of your injuries. You should be compensated for the pain and loss of a normal lifestyle.

Property Damage

If the drunk driver damages your car, you may be entitled to compensation for your car repair costs from their insurance company.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, you may be awarded punitive damages in a drunk driving accident. Because driving under the influence is a serious hazard, courts can hit drunk drivers with special penalties to deter the habit. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, punitive damages can be substantial.

Seek Legal Advice

A drunk driving accident can turn your life upside down, and you deserve proper compensation for your losses. However, with multiple parties potentially liable for the crash, obtaining compensation in a DUI accident can be a complex process.

Moreover, you have a limited amount of time to take legal action. In Florida, you have two years to file a DUI accident lawsuit. Missing this deadline could mean losing your chance to recover damages.

This is why you need to seek sound legal guidance as soon as possible. An experienced DUI accident lawyer can help you explore all potential sources of compensation, maximize your recovery, and ensure a timely settlement.