What to Do If a Loved One Is Injured by a Drunk Driver in Plantation
When you get that phone call — the one no family ever wants — everything slows down.
“There’s been an accident.”
And then you hear the words that hit even harder:
“The other driver was drunk.”
If your loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in Plantation, the situation feels overwhelming. You’re dealing with medical emergencies, fear, anger, and a hundred urgent decisions at once.
Let’s walk through what to do next — calmly, clearly, and step by step.
1. Focus on Immediate Medical Care
First and foremost: prioritize medical treatment.
Even if injuries seem stable, drunk driving crashes often involve:
- High-speed impact
- Head trauma
- Internal injuries
- Spinal damage
- Multiple fractures
Make sure your loved one receives full evaluation, including diagnostic imaging if necessary.
Follow all doctor recommendations carefully. Delayed or incomplete treatment can complicate both recovery and any future legal claim.
Health comes first — always.
2. Cooperate With Law Enforcement
Drunk driving accidents typically involve criminal investigation.
Police will likely:
- Conduct field sobriety tests
- Perform breath or blood testing
- File DUI charges
- Document the crash scene
Request a copy of the crash report once available.
Important: The criminal case against the drunk driver is separate from any civil injury claim you may pursue.
Even if criminal charges are reduced or dismissed, you may still pursue compensation.
3. Preserve Evidence Early
Evidence can disappear quickly.
Try to preserve:
- Photos of vehicle damage
- Medical records
- Witness contact information
- Police report number
- Any dashcam footage
If nearby businesses have surveillance cameras, time matters. Footage may be deleted within days.
An attorney can send preservation letters to protect key evidence.
4. Understand Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System
Florida operates under a no-fault system.
That means your loved one’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays first, regardless of who caused the crash.
PIP typically covers:
- 80% of medical bills (up to limits)
- 60% of lost wages
However, drunk driving crashes often cause serious injuries that exceed PIP limits.
When injuries are serious, you may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the drunk driver.
5. Filing a Civil Injury Claim
If your loved one’s injuries qualify as serious under Florida law — such as permanent injury, significant scarring, or loss of bodily function — you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Compensation may include:
- Full medical expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Drunk driving cases often involve stronger liability because intoxication supports negligence.
In some situations, punitive damages may also be considered. Punitive damages aim to punish especially reckless behavior — and DUI qualifies.
6. Explore Additional Liability
In certain cases, more than one party may be responsible.
Florida’s dram shop laws allow claims against establishments that knowingly serve alcohol to:
- Someone under 21
- Someone known to be habitually addicted to alcohol
If a bar or restaurant violated these rules, they may share liability.
These cases require detailed investigation.
7. Monitor the Criminal Case
Stay informed about the DUI prosecution.
A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil claim. However, even without a conviction, civil liability can still be proven.
Criminal court focuses on punishment.
Civil court focuses on compensation.
They operate independently.
8. Be Careful With Insurance Communications
Insurance companies may contact you quickly.
They may request:
- Recorded statements
- Medical authorizations
- Early settlement discussions
Be cautious.
Early settlement offers may not reflect long-term medical costs.
Avoid detailed recorded statements without legal guidance.
Remember: insurance companies aim to limit payouts.
9. Consider the Emotional Impact
Drunk driving crashes don’t just cause physical injuries.
They cause:
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Fear of driving
- Sleep disruption
- Emotional distress
These impacts matter.
Mental health treatment and counseling may be part of the recovery process — and may be compensable in a civil claim.
Don’t overlook the psychological side of recovery.
10. If the Injuries Are Fatal
If a drunk driving accident results in death, the case becomes a wrongful death claim.
In Florida, surviving family members may pursue compensation for:
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Mental pain and suffering
Wrongful death cases carry strict procedural requirements and time limits.
Early legal guidance becomes critical in these situations.
11. Know the Filing Deadline
In most Florida personal injury cases, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit.
Waiting too long can permanently eliminate your right to pursue compensation.
Negotiations do not pause the deadline.
Only filing a lawsuit preserves it.
12. Why Legal Experience Matters in DUI Cases
Drunk driving cases often involve:
- Criminal prosecution
- Insurance disputes
- Serious injuries
- High-value claims
- Complex liability issues
An experienced personal injury attorney can:
- Coordinate with criminal proceedings
- Investigate dram shop liability
- Calculate long-term damages
- Negotiate aggressively
- Prepare for trial if necessary
Insurance companies often take DUI cases seriously because juries respond strongly to intoxicated driving.
That leverage can impact settlement negotiations.
Final Thoughts
If a loved one is injured by a drunk driver in Plantation, the situation feels overwhelming — and unfair.
You’re dealing with medical stress, emotional trauma, and legal complexity all at once.
Focus on:
- Medical care
- Evidence preservation
- Understanding your insurance coverage
- Monitoring the criminal case
- Protecting your legal rights
Drunk driving is reckless. Florida law recognizes that.
While no legal process can undo the harm, the civil system exists to provide financial recovery and accountability.
And when someone chooses to drive intoxicated, they can — and should — be held responsible.