Fort Pierce Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

There are nearly 150 colleges throughout Florida. Although that means residents have a lot of opportunities to pursue higher education, it also means drinking and driving is a serious problem around the state.

In one survey, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that almost 60 percent of students between 18 and 22 years old had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Since the average adult does not develop full functioning of the rational part of the brain until about 25 years old, it’s reasonable to assume that these college students are likely to get behind the wheel while impaired without considering the potential consequences of doing so.

Sadly, thousands of families around the country witness such consequences firsthand every single year. If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision with an impaired motorist, turn to Donaldson & Weston.

Our compassionate drunk driving accident lawyers have a reputation for tough litigation and a strategy for winning substantial settlements and verdicts. Call us today at 772-266-5555 to schedule a free consultation.

If someone in your family was hurt in a collision with a drunk driver, the damages can add up fast. Fortunately, you do not have to wait until the liable party has been prosecuted to file a personal injury claim. Although a conviction could help strengthen your case, there are other ways to prove impairment and ultimately secure the compensation you deserve.

For this reason, it is wise to call a lawyer as soon as possible. Hiring an attorney shortly after your health has stabilized will ensure your claim includes any evidence that may be time sensitive or vulnerable to being altered or destroyed.

Unlike other firms in the area, the legal team at Donaldson & Weston focuses solely on personal injury law. That means we have extensive experience helping clients secure sizable settlements because building strong accident claims is literally all we do.

Our practice also differs from others in the area because of the personalized care and attention we devote to each and every client. At the end of the day, we treat every claim like our most important case because we know that’s how each individual client sees it. When your family’s financial security is at stake, you deserve personal injury attorneys who will fight relentlessly on your behalf, regardless of how many other clients they might have.

Any financial recovery obtained in a personal injury claim will include compensatory damages, which can be broken down into economic and non-economic damages. Compensatory damages awards are intended to make the claimant “whole” again.

Unlike most other personal injury cases, drunk driving accident victims are often able to recover a punitive award in addition to compensatory damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and to deter similar misconduct in the future. In the state of Florida, punitive damages may be available if the defendant acted with gross negligence or intentional malice. Given the fact that the dangers of drunk driving are so well known, doing so typically constitutes gross negligence.

Below is a breakdown of the compensatory damages that might be recoverable in a drunk driving accident claim:

• Medical Bills: Your claim can include any medical bills you’ve already incurred as well as anticipated healthcare costs you are expected to incur in the future.


• Loss of Income: Lost wages often account for a significant portion of the economic damages incurred after a motor-vehicle collision. Your Fort Pierce DUI accident attorney can calculate your lost income using income tax returns, paystubs, and other documentation.


• Loss of Future Earnings: Determining the value of lost earning capacity can be complicated and may require the input of an expert witness. At Donaldson & Weston, we work closely with financial specialists and experts in a variety of occupational fields who may be able to provide valuable testimony to support your claim.


• Property Repairs and Replacement: It’s likely that your vehicle sustained serious damage in the crash. Your claim can account for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and other property damaged in the accident.


• Other Economic Damages: Our DUI accident lawyers can make sure your claim includes all potentially recoverable losses including domestic help, transportation, home and vehicle modifications, and other expenses related to your accident and injury.


• Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages may be available if the accident was fatal or if you suffered significant scarring, permanent disfigurement, or permanent injury.


• Loss of Consortium: If your spouse was injured or died in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of affection, sexual relationship, comfort, companionship, solace, fellowship, and society.


• Emotional Distress: Emotional distress damages may be awarded if you were physically "impacted" during the tortious incident (ie. touched or harmed) and suffered depression, fear, anxiety, irritability, grief, or anger. They may also be available if someone intentionally inflicted emotional distress on you.


• Loss of Enjoyment in Life: If you suffered a permanent disability that will substantially affect your quality of life, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of life enjoyment.

A Fort Pierce drunk driving accident lawyer from Donaldson & Weston can identify the types of damages you’ve incurred, gather all relevant evidence, and calculate the value of your claim. We won’t settle for anything less than you deserve, and if the insurance company refuses to cooperate, we have the litigation experience to represent your interests in court.