Don’t Drink and Drive, But If They Do, Call Us: Alcohol Accident Lawyers

alcohol related accident lawyer
Thomas W. Carey Car Accident

Alcohol Related Accident Lawyer 2025: Get Justice

If a drunk driver injured you or a loved one, an alcohol related accident lawyer is essential to secure compensation and hold the negligent driver accountable. Drunk driving is a deadly and preventable threat, with nearly 30 people dying every day in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired crashes. These accidents cost billions of dollars annually and leave victims with devastating physical and psychological trauma.

An experienced lawyer will:

  • Investigate the crash and gather critical evidence like police reports and BAC tests.
  • Identify all liable parties, including the driver and any establishment that over-served them.
  • Calculate your full damages, from medical bills to lost earning capacity.
  • Negotiate with insurance companies that aim to minimize payouts.
  • File lawsuits within the statute of limitations and pursue punitive damages to punish the driver’s reckless behavior.

Contact a lawyer immediately. Evidence disappears, and insurers will pressure you to settle for less than you deserve before you know the full extent of your injuries. While prosecutors handle the criminal case, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit for your losses. You deserve full and fair compensation, and an attorney can fight for it.

I’m Thomas W. Carey, founding partner of Carey Leisure Carney. After losing my wife to a drunk driver, I dedicated my career to fighting for injury victims. As a former MADD leader and board-certified civil trial lawyer, I have over 35 years of experience holding negligent drivers and establishments accountable.

infographic showing drunk driving statistics including 30 daily deaths, over 11000 annual fatalities, billions in damages, legal BAC limits, and types of compensation available to victims - alcohol related accident lawyer infographic

The Devastating Impact of Drunk Driving Accidents

The numbers are heartbreaking: nearly 30 people die every single day in the U.S. because someone chose to drive drunk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beyond the tragic loss of life, these accidents cost billions of dollars annually in medical expenses, lost productivity, and property damage.

hospital waiting room - alcohol related accident lawyer

The emotional consequences are just as severe. Survivors often suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with scars that can last a lifetime. As an alcohol related accident lawyer who has personally experienced this loss, I’ve dedicated my career to this fight. You can learn more about our commitment at The Fight Against Drunk Driving.

Common Injuries and Long-Term Effects

Drunk driving crashes can cause life-altering injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Causing memory loss, cognitive problems, and personality changes.
  • Spinal cord damage: Leading to partial or complete paralysis and requiring extensive medical care.
  • Broken bones: Often requiring multiple surgeries and painful physical therapy, with a risk of chronic pain.
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage: These are life-threatening injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
  • Amputations: The loss of a limb results in a grueling physical recovery and lifelong adjustments.
  • Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common and just as deserving of compensation as physical injuries.

Our team at Personal Injury Attorney understands that every injury, visible or invisible, must be compensated fairly.

The Ripple Effect on a Victim’s Life

The aftermath of a drunk driving accident extends far beyond physical recovery, affecting families in Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, Trinity, and Wesley Chapel.

  • Financial Strain: Staggering medical bills, lost wages from being unable to work, and a potential loss of future earning capacity can be catastrophic.
  • Property Damage: Your vehicle may be totaled, creating transportation challenges for medical appointments and daily life.
  • Ongoing Costs: Rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and counseling add to the financial burden.
  • Family Impact: Spouses may become caregivers, relationships are strained by financial stress, and the entire family unit suffers.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Injuries can prevent you from enjoying hobbies, playing with your children, and living without pain.

This is Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer. An experienced alcohol related accident lawyer will calculate the full value of your claim, accounting for all present and future losses.

Understanding Liability in a Drunk Driving Case

When a drunk driver causes an accident, they face both criminal and civil consequences. The criminal case punishes the driver, while your civil case, handled by an alcohol related accident lawyer, is about compensating you for your losses. You don’t need to wait for a criminal conviction to file a claim.

Civil cases have a lower burden of proof, and in Florida, drunk driving falls under “negligence per se.” This means that because the driver broke a safety law (the DUI law), they are automatically considered negligent. This strengthens your case significantly. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, our page Drunk Driver Hit Me offers guidance.

police officer conducting a field sobriety test - alcohol related accident lawyer

Florida uses a “pure comparative negligence” system, meaning your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, in drunk driving cases, the impaired driver almost always bears the vast majority of the fault due to their reckless decision.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. In Florida, the legal limits are:

  • 0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and over.
  • 0.04% for commercial drivers.
  • 0.02% for drivers under 21 (zero tolerance).

Even with a BAC below 0.08%, a driver can be charged with DUI if their normal faculties are impaired. Alcohol slows reaction time, blurs vision, and impairs judgment, making driving dangerous at any level. For more details, visit our page on Florida Alcohol Laws.

Can Bars and Restaurants Be Held Responsible? (Dram Shop Laws)

Sometimes, liability extends beyond the driver. Florida’s “dram shop laws” allow victims to hold establishments accountable in two specific situations:

  1. Serving a minor: If a bar or restaurant knowingly serves alcohol to someone under 21 who then causes an accident.
  2. Serving a habitually addicted person: If an establishment serves someone they know or should know has a drinking problem.

These laws are important because bars and restaurants carry substantial insurance policies, providing another source of recovery if the driver is underinsured. Proving a dram shop claim requires a thorough investigation into the establishment’s practices, which an experienced alcohol related accident lawyer can conduct. Learn more about this on our pages about Bars Liable for Drunk Drivers and our work as a Dram Shop Claims Attorney.

After a drunk driving accident, you need to focus on healing, not fighting with insurance companies. An alcohol related accident lawyer is essential to protect your rights and manage the complexities of your case. We handle the investigation, evidence gathering, and all communication with insurers, whose goal is to pay as little as possible.

An experienced lawyer knows how to counter insurance tactics and calculate the full scope of your damages, including future medical care and lost earning capacity. Our team includes a former Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Investigator, giving us unique insight into accident analysis. We develop a custom legal strategy and are prepared to go to trial to secure the justice you deserve. For guidance on choosing representation, see our guide on Hiring a Law Firm What You Need to Know.

Building a strong case requires a thorough investigation. We gather crucial evidence, including:

  • Police reports: Containing the officer’s observations and initial findings.
  • Breathalyzer and blood test results: Providing direct proof of intoxication.
  • Witness statements: From people who saw the crash or the driver’s impairment.
  • Video footage: From traffic cameras, dash cams, or nearby businesses.
  • Driver’s history: Previous DUI convictions can be relevant, especially for punitive damages.
  • Expert witnesses: Toxicologists, medical experts, and economists can explain the driver’s impairment, the extent of your injuries, and your financial losses.

This comprehensive approach builds a case that insurance companies cannot easily dismiss. We are not afraid to take on insurers who try to undervalue your claim, as detailed on our Lawyers That Sue Insurance Companies page.

Why You Must Act Quickly: The Statute of Limitations

In Florida, you generally have only two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever.

Acting quickly is also critical because:

  • Evidence disappears: Skid marks fade and surveillance footage is erased.
  • Witness memories fade: It’s vital to get statements while recollections are clear.
  • Insurance companies pressure you: They offer lowball settlements, hoping you’ll accept before you know the true value of your claim.

Contacting an alcohol related accident lawyer immediately protects you from these issues and preserves your legal rights. For more on the claims process, see our Drunk Driving Accident Claims Guide 2025.

What Compensation Can Victims Pursue?

As a victim of a drunk driver, you are entitled to compensation for your losses. An alcohol related accident lawyer will fight to secure damages that cover both your current and future needs. These damages fall into several categories:

  • Economic Damages: These are tangible financial losses, including all past and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and property damage to your vehicle.
  • Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for the human toll of the accident, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

We work with experts to calculate the true value of your claim, ensuring you are not pressured by insurance companies into accepting a quick, inadequate settlement. For more information, visit our Car Accident Attorney page.

The Potential for Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme recklessness, victims may also pursue punitive damages. Unlike other damages, these are not meant to compensate you but to punish the drunk driver for their behavior and deter others from similar conduct. Florida law allows for punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, a standard that drunk driving often meets.

Punitive damages send a powerful message that such disregard for human life has severe consequences. We have successfully pursued these damages in cases involving repeat offenders or extremely high BAC levels. Learn more at Lawsuits for punitive damages in drunk driving cases and our page on Drunk Driving Punitive Damages.

What to Do Immediately After a Drunk Driving Accident

The moments after a crash are chaotic, but your actions are critical. If you suspect the other driver is intoxicated, follow these steps to protect your health and your legal case.

  1. Ensure Safety and Call 911: Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 immediately. Police need to investigate the scene and test the driver for impairment. Never let the other driver talk you out of calling the police.
  2. Seek Medical Attention: Accept medical help at the scene and go to the ER if necessary. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and immediate medical records are vital for your claim.
  3. Document Everything: If safe, take photos and videos of the vehicles, the scene, skid marks, and any signs of alcohol. Note the driver’s behavior, such as slurred speech or unsteadiness.
  4. Gather Information: Exchange contact and insurance details with the driver and get contact information from any witnesses.
  5. Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid saying “I’m sorry” or anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Stick to the facts when speaking with police.
  6. Report the Accident: Notify your own insurance company, but avoid giving a detailed recorded statement until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, see our guide on What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Hits You.

After getting medical care, your next call should be to an alcohol related accident lawyer. The hours after a crash are crucial. Insurance adjusters will contact you quickly, seeking a recorded statement to use against you or offering a lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.

An attorney protects you from these tactics. We handle all communication with insurers, preventing you from saying something that could harm your case. You can learn more about insurer tactics at Automobile insurance company claims involving drunk drivers.

Most victims don’t know their claim’s true value, which includes future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Accepting an early offer means you cannot seek more compensation later. An attorney ensures your claim is valued correctly and fights against bad faith practices like claim delays or unfair denials. For more on this, visit our Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers Near Me page.

Finally, evidence disappears quickly. We act fast to preserve surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence. Hiring a lawyer isn’t about starting a fight; it’s about leveling the playing field against insurance companies that are already working to minimize your claim.

Take Control of Your Recovery and Your Future

No one should face the overwhelming trauma of a drunk driving accident alone. You have rights, and taking legal action is about securing the compensation you need while holding the reckless driver accountable. It’s about justice for you and sending a message that drunk driving will not be tolerated.

At Carey Leisure Carney, we stand up for victims throughout Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, Trinity, and Wesley Chapel, Florida. Our firm features Board-Certified attorneys, a distinction held by only the top 2% of Florida lawyers, with over 100 years of combined experience. We provide direct attorney access, ensuring a seasoned professional personally handles your case.

We understand you’re hurting and worried about the future. We are here to be your shield against insurance companies that will try to pressure you into a low settlement. You deserve full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Don’t wait to seek help. Evidence disappears, and legal deadlines are strict. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and start on the path to recovery.

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