Winter Haven DUI Accident Lawyer
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?
When someone chooses to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are putting motorists, motorcycle riders, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk of serious injury or even wrongful death. Drunk driving accidents can have severe repercussions for everyone involved, from property damage and loss of income to permanent injuries that plague victims for the rest of their lives.
If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury in Winter Haven, FL, due to an accident with someone accused of drunk driving, our law firm can help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. When you hire a DUI accident attorney from Moody Law, P.A., we can:
The team at our law firm includes professional investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and forensics specialists who can gather the evidence necessary to determine how the drunk driver caused your accident.
Our attorneys can aggressively pursue a civil case against the negligent driver accused of DUI to recover the damages you deserve. A settlement can cover current and future medical bills, lost wages, and property damages.
When a drunk driving accident results in personal injury or wrongful death, victims seldom feel justice has been served. Our injury lawyers will not rest until you achieve a just settlement that allows you to move forward with your life.
5-Star Client Reviews
Christian Joy
Bartow, FL
2023
I would like to thank Moody Law, and especially Debbie for being so helpful in my case! She went above and beyond for me! Highly recommended this firm!
View on GoogleRobbie Van Druten
Tampa, FL
2023
Their team of skilled professionals genuinely cares about their clients, and their top-notch legal services have exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Moody Law team, for all your help!
View on GoogleOur Injury Lawyers Win Major Drunk Driving Cases
Drunk driving accidents cause severe financial, physical, and emotional harm to families throughout Lakeland and Winter Haven, Florida. DUI accident victims need attorneys who have proven their ability to obtain compensation for their suffering. The attorneys at Moody Law have spent decades doing just that.
Personal Injury
In 2022, our law firm obtained $50 million for a Florida motorcyclist who was struck head-on by a drunk driver. In this case, our client survived but required bilateral leg amputations.
Wrongful Death
We have also won significant cases for grieving families who lost a loved one in drunk driving accidents. For example, we obtained $700,000 for the family of a teenage girl who was killed by a drunk driver.
Both of the cases described were won at trial. We have also successfully handled many auto accident and DUI cases by securing significant pre-trial settlements for Lakeland and Winter Haven clients.
More 5-Star Client Reviews "He fought for me and got a great settlement."
Debi Eason
Bartow, FL
2023
We called Moody Law after my husband was injured in a car accident and are thankful we did. Caroline and Debbie were awesome in helping us, keeping us informed and worked hard to resolve our case quickly. I definitely recommend them.
View on GoogleWilliam Ferguson
Bartow, FL
2022
I had a bad accident, and was recommended to see Drew Moody for my case. He was extremely helpful, and fought me. He got me a great settlement. I recommend him to anyone who needs a great attorney.
View on GoogleFlorida Recently Made Major Legal Changes
In March of 2023, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed into law House Bill (HB) 837. This legislation caused sweeping changes to crucial areas that affect car accident cases. Especially notable alterations were made to laws pertaining to statute of limitations and comparative negligence.
Statute of Limitations
Statute of limitations laws set hard deadlines for when lawsuits must be filed. Missing your deadline very likely causes you to forfeit any possibility of compensation from your DUI accident case.
Florida used to have a four year statute of limitations for general negligence cases, like auto accidents. The new legislation cut the deadline in half. You now have just two years from the date of your DUI accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death statute is still two years from the date of your loved one's passing.
Comparative Negligence
Florida used to operate under pure comparative negligence law. This standard allowed plaintiffs to pursue compensation even if they were the primary cause of their accident.
HB 837 has changed our state to the use of the modified comparative negligence framework. Modified comparative negligence bars plaintiffs from any financial recovery if they are found to be the main factor in causing their accident. Florida's new implementation of this system makes it even more important that DUI accident victims retain lawyers who know how to use evidence to prove their client was not the primary cause of their crash.
Our Law Firm Receives Top Peer Ratings
In 2023, Moody Law was ranked as AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®. This is the organization's highest peer rating possible and is only given to firms that other lawyers designate as having elite legal knowledge, ethics, and skill.
Start Your Case Today
Our law firm is truly committed to helping DUI accident victims. The Moody family has been in Florida for generations. Our deep roots here inspire us to treat each client like the longstanding neighbor they truly are. If you are unable to make it to our Lakeland, Barstow, or Tampa offices, we will come to you at home or in the hospital to discuss your case.
Our attorneys have repeatedly won multi-million dollar cases for accident victims, including in DUI crashes. We encourage anyone in Winter Haven or Lakeland who has been harmed by a drunk driver to call or write to request a free consultation with us.
(863) 733-9090
More 5-Star Reviews From Lakeland & Winter Haven
BIll Moffatt
Bartow, FL
2022
Through their effort we received a fair settlement that was much greater than the lowball offer the insurance company initially presented which didnt even cover the associated medical bills. I just cannot speak highly enough of Mr. Moody and his dedicated staff of professionals.
View on GoogleElizabeth Lattimore
Lakeland, FL
2022
Moody Law was wonderful in getting our case resolved. Ms. Debbie was great at staying in touch and keeping us updated on the progress. It was a relief to have such a professional, respected law office represent us during what was a challenging situation. I would definitely recommend Moody Law!
View on GoogleDamages that Can Result From an Accident with a Drunk Driver
If you or a loved one have been in a car accident with a drunk driver, you have a right to pursue a number of damages including property and punitive damages in a civil suit. Other types of damages our Lakeland and Winter Haven, FL, clients can pursue include:
Physical Injuries
Any type of injury sustained in an accident with a drunk driver, no matter how seemingly minor at the time, can have a lasting impact. Not all long-term injuries are evident right away so our lawyers will take care to evaluate the ongoing effects of the drunk driving accident.
Medical Expenses
Any medical bills associated with your car accident including future expenses related to an injury sustained in the incident are the responsibility of the drunk driver. Your attorney will include all medical treatment that resulted from your injury in your claim so that you can fully recover.
Pain and Suffering
A severe injury caused by a drunk driver can cause lasting pain that may take a long time to subside. In some cases, it may never go away. Part of achieving just compensation for our clients is to be sure the pain and suffering you have endured, whether physical or emotional, is accounted for in your DUI accident case.
Rehabilitation
When injuries require extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to get better, these associated expenses need to be factored into your overall settlement. Your lawyer will work with medical experts to determine fair compensation in order to cover any expenses related to rehabilitation.
Lost Wages
When injuries are severe enough to cause you to miss work, you may not be able to provide for yourself or your family. Our accident attorneys understand the stress involved in lost income when bills are due, and will work tirelessly to recover damages to cover any lost wages you have suffered.
Loss of Earning Capacity
In some cases, injuries sustained in an accident with a drunk driver are so severe, the victim is permanently unable to return to work. In such cases, our law firm will build a case that can cover a lifetime of lost wages.
Our Injury Attorneys Can Obtain
Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases
The types of compensation described above are all forms of compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are the standard form of compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. These are awarded to directly compensate an injured party for their losses.
In rare cases, a defendant may be forced to pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded if it is proven in court that the defendant committed intentional misconduct or was egregiously negligent. Drunk driving that leads to a harmful accident is oftentimes a clear example of behavior that can make someone liable for punitive damages.
In Florida, punitive damages can be up to three times as high as the compensatory damages a plaintiff is awarded in a DUI accident case. Our injury lawyers have successfully obtained significant punitive damages in DUI cases.
We Can Pursue Damages During or After a Criminal DUI Case
A drunk driver can face misdemeanor or felony criminal charges for their behavior. Sometimes, a case that seems like it would certainly end in a gratifying conviction only results in reduced charges or even outright dismissal.
A lack of a criminal conviction can feel devastating to families who want justice for the harm a drunk driver caused to them. Unfortunately, this scenario is possible because criminal cases require proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
On the other hand, civil cases like the ones Moody Law handles require a lower standard of proof. That means our lawyers only have to prove that more likely than not the drunk driver is responsible for your harm. This lets us win major compensation in seemingly murky cases. Our attorneys can handle your civil DUI accident case at the same time as the criminal case unfolds. We can even begin a civil case after the criminal case ends as long as your statute of limitations has not passed.
Call Our Law Firm:
(863) 733-9090
Florida Dram Shop Law
Forty-three states have some sort of dram shop law. These statutes are meant to hold third parties responsible if they have served alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated and then causes an accident while drunk driving. Unique to Florida, Statute 768.125 holds any person who sells alcohol to an underage individual liable for any drunk driving accidents or injuries caused by that individual while in their intoxicated state. Additionally, the same responsibility falls on any person who knowingly sells alcohol to someone who is "habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages."
If you have been involved in an incident with an underage drunk driver, or someone with a known drinking problem, your attorney will investigate if your case qualifies for dram shop damages. Our drunk driving accident lawyers strive to provide each client with the highest possible settlement to ensure justice is served. Our law firm has the resources to pursue any and all claims relevant to your case, including those provided by the Florida dram shop law.
