Police Reports Can Help Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim
When someone causes a drunk driving accident, they will be staring down criminal charges that could slam them with legal penalties. For example, a first time conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida will likely include jail time, high fines, and a lengthy license suspension.
All of the criminal penalties used against the drunk driver do not necessarily do anything for other people, though. People hurt in a drunk driving accident are not guaranteed any sort of compensation for their injuries and damages, even when a conviction is secured beyond a doubt. If they want the drunk driver to be held liable for their damages, then they need to create a car accident or personal injury claim in civil court.
With this in mind, the criminal case the drunk driver faced can be incredibly useful for your civil lawsuit. If a drunk driver denies any responsibility for your injuries and their insurance company also resists giving you any payout, then you have to collect evidence to prove your argument. A judge’s sentencing and the court papers that go with it can be quite convincing. You should also utilize the police reports filed after your crash.
The responding law enforcement officers should have noted useful information, such as:
- Speed drunk driver was traveling at the time of the crash
- Drunk driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level
- Whether or not the drunk driver ran a red light or stop sign
- Reckless driving behavior exhibited by drunk driver
- Injuries and vehicular damage you suffered
The Pittman Firm, P.A. can assist you with gathering police reports, medical records, court statements, and so forth for your drunk driving accident claim. Florida Personal Injury Attorney Wes Pittman can utilize the information and data in such a way that your case’s validity is maximized, as well as the compensation you seek. You deserve every last penny in economic and noneconomic damages.
Schedule a free consultation by calling (850) 784-6997 or contacting the firm online.