A drunk driving crash is different from an ordinary traffic accident. When someone chooses to drive after drinking or using drugs, that decision can put everyone else on the road in danger. For victims, the consequences can include emergency medical treatment, months away from work, permanent disabilities, and lasting emotional trauma.
If you were injured by an impaired driver in Sarasota, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers at (941) 401-0141 for a free consultation with a Sarasota DUI accident lawyer. Our firm is ready to help.
Why Choose Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers for Your DUI Accident Case in Sarasota, FL?
A DUI arrest can provide important evidence, but an injured person still needs to establish a civil claim and document the full extent of damages. That requires careful investigation.
Injury victims choose our firm because we offer:
- 120+ Years of Combined Legal Experience. Our Sarasota personal injury attorneys bring extensive collective experience to personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases.
- More Than $500 Million Recovered. We have helped injury victims pursue substantial compensation for the financial and personal consequences of serious accidents.
- Detailed DUI Accident Investigations. We can obtain crash reports, witness statements, video, toxicology evidence, medical records, and other information relevant to the collision.
- Experience Evaluating Serious Damages. We consider future medical needs, reduced earning ability, permanent impairment, and other long-term consequences instead of focusing only on immediate expenses.
- Individual Attention. We take time to understand how the collision has changed your health, employment, family life, and future.
Our Sarasota car accident lawyers can handle the insurance and legal issues while you focus on recovering. Contact us today for a free case review.
What Is My DUI Accident Case Worth in Florida?
A driver’s intoxication can be important evidence, but it does not create a predetermined settlement amount. The value of your claim depends on the specific circumstances of the crash.
Factors that may affect your case include:
- The severity and long-term effects of your injuries
- The extent of your medical treatment
- How the injuries affect your ability to work
- The strength of the evidence
- Whether you share any fault
- Available insurance coverage
- Whether punitive damages may be appropriate
Our Sarasota personal injury lawyers can evaluate these factors to determine what compensation may be available.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to DUI Accident Victims in Sarasota?
Florida personal injury claims can include compensation for both financial losses and the personal consequences of an injury. The specific damages available depend on your circumstances.
Economic Damages
Economic damages address measurable monetary losses.
They can include:
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency room care
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Diagnostic testing
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
These economic damages can help account for the financial costs and income losses caused by a DUI accident.
Non-Economic Damages
A DUI crash can take things from you that do not appear on a medical bill.
Depending on the claim, non-economic damages can address losses such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Physical impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
Medical evidence, photographs, testimony, and documentation showing changes to your everyday activities can help establish these losses.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages can be particularly important to evaluate after an intoxicated-driving crash. Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages. Their purpose is to punish and deter misconduct rather than to reimburse the victim.
Whether punitive damages can be recovered depends on the evidence and circumstances of the particular case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Sarasota DUI Accident Lawyer?
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.
This generally means:
- You do not pay an attorney’s fee upfront
- You do not receive ordinary hourly attorney bills while the case proceeds
- Attorney’s fees are paid from an agreed portion of the recovery if compensation is obtained
This arrangement allows injured people to pursue a DUI accident claim without having to finance hourly fees upfront. You can leave the legal challenges to your attorney while you are focused on healing and recovery.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your DUI Accident Damages in Sarasota
The true cost of a DUI accident may not become clear immediately. Imagine that an impaired driver crosses the center line and causes a head-on collision. You suffer multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury.
The hospital bills may arrive within weeks, but the consequences could continue for years. You may need neurological treatment, rehabilitation, medication, surgery, or assistance with everyday activities. Your injuries could also prevent you from returning to the career you had before the crash.
Our firm can gather evidence documenting these losses, including:
- Medical records and bills
- Future treatment recommendations
- Employment records
- Wage statements
- Photographs
- Rehabilitation documentation
- Expert opinions
- Evidence of permanent restrictions
For severe injuries, medical, vocational, or economic experts may help establish the expected cost of future care and diminished earning ability.
Contact a Sarasota DUI Accident Lawyer to Schedule a Free Consultation Today
You did not choose to share the road with an impaired driver. Still, you may be left dealing with the consequences of that person’s decision for years.
If you were injured by an impaired driver in Sarasota, Florida, you may have legal options. Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Sarasota DUI accident attorney.