DUI Attorney in St. Petersburg

Accidents caused by drunk drivers are some of the worst we've witnessed in St. Petersburg. That's primarily because such drivers usually don't have the capacity to make sound decisions on the road, causing serious injuries and, sometimes, death.
 
Whether you suffered life-threatening injuries or lost a loved one in such an accident, hiring a St Petersburg DUI lawyer from Morgan and Morgan could make a huge difference to your case. Get in touch with us to learn how we might be able to help.

Examples of Situations That Could Require a DUI Lawsuit Lawyer

A DUI lawsuit lawyer can represent you if you have sustained physical injuries as a result of the accident. These injuries could range from broken bones, whiplash, traumatic brain injury, or anything in between. The attorney can help you file a personal injury claim with your own insurance provider since Florida uses the no-fault system and then pursue other avenues for compensation if you've exhausted your coverage.  
 
The most painful thing about drunk driving accidents is that they can sometimes result in death. In the unfortunate event that you lost a loved one in a DUI-related crash, our lawyers may be able to help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover funeral expenses, hospital bills, lost financial support, and other death benefits you may be entitled to.
 
Establishments that served alcohol to the intoxicated driver who caused the accident may also be held responsible for the damages caused. This is known as dram shop liability, yet another complex area of personal injury law we can also help you navigate.
 
If the drunk driving accident ends as a hit and run, it may be difficult to identify and hold the responsible party accountable. But because Morgan and Morgan has powerful legal resources to investigate such accidents, we can work with relevant authorities to identify the driver or explore other avenues for compensation, such as uninsured motorist coverage.
 

Overview of the DUI Lawsuit Process With a Morgan and Morgan Lawyer

When you contact Morgan and Morgan about such an accident caused by a drunk driver in St. Petersburg, Florida, we will follow specific steps to ensure you get the legal representation you deserve to obtain a favorable outcome.
 
First, after filing out our free, no-obligation case evaluation form, one of our legal representatives will review your case to determine if you have legal grounds for filing a claim or lawsuit. Once that's been determined, we'll set up the initial consultation with an experienced DUI lawsuit lawyer carefully selected from our team of over 800 attorneys.
 
During this meeting, the attorney will want to find out more details about the accident, including any documentation or evidence you might have collected at the scene and the extent of your injuries. They will also look at the merits of your case and advise you on the available legal options.
 
After determining that you have legal grounds to pursue compensation, whether from your own insurance carrier, the other party's, or even both, we will gather crucial evidence to support your case.
 
The kind of evidence required varies from case to case, but generally, we'll look at police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and any other relevant documentation that can help establish the negligence of the drunk driver and demonstrate the impact of the accident on your life.
 
We will also identify all potentially liable parties and then create a legal strategy to pursue your claim based on the evidence gathered. Next, we will file a claim with the responsible party's insurance company and handle the necessary paperwork and processes required to hold them accountable.
 
Our primary goal is to resolve such cases through negotiation out of court because this option saves time and resources. This is one of the quickest ways to settle such a case and get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track, at least financially. But if the other party refuses to offer a fair settlement or cooperate with our team during the negotiations, we may need to file a lawsuit.
 
If the case goes that route, our attorneys will guide you through the process of filing the necessary legal documents, preparing your case for trial, and representing you in court in front of a judge or jury.

Risks of Filing a DUI Lawsuit or Claim Without a Lawyer

No law in St. Petersburg or Florida requires you to hire a DUI lawsuit lawyer. That said, you should, at least, have a clear understanding of the potential risks involved when you decide to file a claim or lawsuit without a lawyer after being hit by a drunk driver or losing a loved one in such an accident.
 
Establishing liability is the first challenge you'll likely face if you decide to go down this path without legal counsel. In other words, it may be difficult to prove that the other driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Such a claim alone requires gathering evidence, such as police reports, witness testimonies, and possibly even the opinion of accident reconstruction experts, something you may not have access to.
 
Failure to account for all damages is another risk that could hurt your chances of recovering damages without a lawyer. Without a lawyer's guidance, chances are you won't fully understand the true extent of your losses and the actual value of your claim. This could result in inadequate compensation, and the saddest thing is that you won't have another chance to file a new claim if you've already accepted and received a settlement from the insurance company regarding this case.
 
The legal processes involved in a DUI lawsuit will also stress you out, thanks to the mountains of paperwork and legal jargon involved. That's the last thing you want to deal with, especially when nursing your injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one.