Boynton Beach Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

A lot of Americans consume alcohol on a fairly regular basis, and even more people do so on holidays and special occasions. Some of the biggest drinking days of the year include New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, Mardi Gras, and Super Bowl Sunday.

Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of red wine in the evening or tossing a few back when tailgating with friends, people who consume any amount of alcohol must be aware of their limits—and of the law.

All 50 states have laws prohibiting motorists from driving while under the influence of alcohol. The penalties for getting caught doing so can be severe, but unfortunately, they are not enough to stop millions of people from getting behind the wheel while impaired every single year.

If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident, turn to the compassionate team at Donaldson & Weston. Our Boynton Beach personal injury lawyers will evaluate your case for free to help you determine the most strategic way to proceed.

We have a reputation for tough settlement negotiations and aren’t afraid to take on even the largest and most resourceful corporations and insurance providers. Call 561-299-3999 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our tenacious drunk driving accident attorneys.

Every successful personal injury claim comes down to two essential elements: liability and damages. That means even after proving the motorist was in fact impaired, you still have to provide evidence that you incurred damages as a direct result. Otherwise, you will not be able to recover compensation for any injuries.

Fortunately, proving damages is fairly straightforward, especially in regard to actual monetary losses. Relevant evidence might include:

• Pharmacy receipts and itemized hospital bills;


• Paystubs and tax returns;


• Quotes from contractors for making any necessary home modifications;


• The loan agreement for purchasing a modified vehicle;


• Invoices for any essential mobility aids;


• Photographs of visible wounds, scarring, or disfigurement;


• Statistics detailing the lifetime costs of living with injuries like yours;


• Journal entries on how the injuries are affecting everyday life; and


• Statements from loved ones detailing how the injuries have been affecting them.

Most of the evidence mentioned above will help you prove actual costs incurred, but non-economic damages can make up a significant portion of any settlement. These include non-monetary losses like emotional distress and loss of consortium.

This is why it’s so important to keep a daily journal in which you write about the ways the injuries are impacting your life. When added to the actual receipts, invoices, and records that you compile, these entries will provide a clear picture of all the damages you have incurred.

After an accident with a drunk driver, you might think there’s no way your claim could be denied. After all, if the motorist failed a breathalyzer test, how could the insurance company challenge your claim?

Unfortunately, there are many strategies insurance adjusters might use to dispute liability or damages. No matter how confident you are in the validity of your claim, it’s essential that you familiarize yourself with the common mistakes that could jeopardize your case. Examples include:

• Agreeing to Provide a Recorded Statement: Any recorded statement you provide to the insurance company—whether over the phone, via text, or through email—will likely be admissible in court. Insurance adjusters know how to ask leading questions to get claimants to downplay the severity of their injuries or accept partial liability. The best way to handle this correspondence is not to speak with the insurance company at all but, rather, to direct all such dialogue to your DUI accident lawyer.


• Publishing Harmful Posts on Social Media: Although social media offers a quick way to notify loved ones about your condition, these sites also provide insurance adjusters with insight into your personal life. A single photo of you with friends after the accident could be all it takes to cause a dispute. Our advice: Disable your social media profiles until your claim has been resolved.


• Ignoring Your Healthcare Provider’s Instructions: It’s not easy to rest when you’re accustomed to living an active lifestyle, and it’s tempting to work when the bills are adding up. But failing to follow your doctor’s advice could jeopardize your claim. You have a duty to mitigate your damages, and the insurance company might argue that disobeying your doctor constitutes a failure to do so.


• Failing to Store Photos and Videos Safely: Photos and videos of the crash scene, property damage, and injuries often play a crucial role in personal injury cases. Your Boynton Beach drunk driving accident attorney may need that evidence to prove liability and the severity of your injuries. As such, you should take steps to preserve it—for example, by saving photos and videos on several hard drives or on a cloud drive.


• Putting off Your Legal Consultation: Investigating your accident and negotiating for a settlement could take months, and much of the evidence needed to support your claim may be time-sensitive. The sooner you call our law firm, the sooner we can conduct an investigation and start protecting your interests.

The Boynton Beach drunk driving accident lawyers at Donaldson & Weston have the resources and experience to go up against even the largest insurance companies. We will get to work right away to gather all available evidence and help you avoid critical mistakes. If necessary, we can bring in medical, financial, and accident reconstruction experts to provide testimony. Our attorneys will make sure the insurance company treats you fairly and doesn’t delay the claims process unnecessarily.