Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Bonita Springs, FL

A drunk driving accident can change your life in seconds. When an impaired driver hits your vehicle, you face serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will try to minimize what they pay you. That’s where Parker Waichman LLP comes in. Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Bonita Springs fight to hold drunk drivers accountable and secure the full compensation you deserve. Our drunk driving accident lawyer in Bonita Springs works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP for Your Drunk Driving Accident Case

When you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, you need an attorney who understands both the legal complexities and the human impact of your injuries. Parker Waichman LLP brings decades of experience to every case we handle.

Our founding partner, Jerrold S. Parker, has spent over 40 years representing injured clients. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating—the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Best Lawyers in America has recognized him for personal injury litigation since 2010. Our team includes Francisco A. Albites, a Florida-licensed partner with 16 years of experience in personal injury and mass tort litigation. Together with our other experienced attorneys, we’ve recovered over $2 billion for clients across all practice areas.

We maintain a local office in Bonita Springs at 27299 Riverview Center Boulevard, Suite 108, so we understand the specific challenges accident victims face in our community. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case, and we handle every aspect of your claim—from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary. Most importantly, you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if you win. Our no recovery, no fee guarantee means your financial interests are protected.

How Drunk Driving Accidents Happen and Who Is Liable

Bonita Springs attracts visitors from around the world, and unfortunately, that means busy roads and nightlife districts where impaired driving occurs. Drunk driving accidents happen in many ways: a driver runs a red light, drifts into your lane, fails to stop at a stop sign, or causes a multi-vehicle pile-up on a busy highway. These car accidents in Bonita Springs often result in serious consequences.

Alcohol impairs a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and motor control. A driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher is legally intoxicated in Florida. Even lower BAC levels can affect driving ability. When an impaired driver causes an accident, they breach their legal duty to operate their vehicle safely.

To hold a drunk driver liable, we must establish four elements of negligence: (1) the driver had a duty to drive safely, (2) the driver breached that duty by driving while impaired, (3) your injuries resulted directly from that breach, and (4) you suffered damages. A DUI arrest or conviction strengthens your case significantly, but we can prove negligence even without a criminal conviction. Insurance companies sometimes argue that you share fault for the accident or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. That’s why you need an attorney who knows how to counter these tactics and build a strong case on your behalf.

Injuries and Damages from Drunk Driving Collisions

Drunk driving accidents often cause severe injuries because impaired drivers don’t brake in time or take evasive action. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, and crush injuries. Some victims suffer permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and enjoy life. Catastrophic injuries from drunk driving collisions often require lifelong care and support.

Beyond the immediate injuries, you may need ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and mental health treatment. Many accident victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety disorders after a serious collision. The long-term costs of recovery can be substantial. You have the right to recover damages for all of these harms. Damages include your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage to your vehicle, and emotional distress.

In cases where a drunk driver causes a death, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. Florida law also allows punitive damages in drunk driving cases, which punish the at-fault driver and deter similar conduct in the future.

What Compensation You May Recover

Your compensation should cover every loss you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Medical expenses include emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgery, medications, medical equipment, and ongoing rehabilitation. If your injuries require future medical care, we calculate the present value of those future expenses and include them in your claim.

Lost wages cover the income you lost while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, we calculate your loss of earning capacity—the difference between what you would have earned and what you can now earn given your limitations. This calculation is critical in cases involving catastrophic injury or permanent disability.

Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries. These damages are subjective, but we use evidence of your medical treatment, testimony from medical experts, and documentation of your daily struggles to establish a fair value. Property damage covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle. Emotional distress damages address the anxiety, depression, and PTSD that often follow a serious accident.

In wrongful death cases, surviving family members recover damages for their loss of companionship and financial support. If the deceased survived for any period between the injury and death, a separate survival action may allow recovery of the deceased’s pain and suffering before death. Parker Waichman LLP uses a comprehensive approach to calculate fair settlement value. We review your medical records, consult with medical experts, analyze comparable cases, and consider the strength of liability evidence. This thorough analysis ensures we don’t undervalue your claim. Our verdicts and settlements demonstrate our commitment to maximum recovery.

The Claims Process: From Accident to Settlement

The first step after a drunk driving accident is to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t appear immediately. Call the police and report the accident. Request a copy of the police report, which documents the officer’s observations about the other driver’s impairment. This report is crucial evidence in establishing liability.

Document the accident scene with photos and video if possible. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Collect the other driver’s insurance information and vehicle details. Do not discuss fault or your injuries with the other driver or their insurance company. Contact Parker Waichman LLP as soon as possible. We’ll handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf.

We gather evidence, including police reports, toxicology results, witness statements, medical records, and photographs. We establish the other driver’s liability and calculate the full value of your claim. We then notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company of your claim and provide documentation supporting your damages. Insurance adjusters often make low initial settlement offers, hoping you’ll accept quickly. We negotiate aggressively to reach a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your case.

If the insurance company refuses to offer adequate compensation, we file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. Most personal injury cases settle before trial, but we’re always ready to litigate. The entire process typically takes several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of your case and whether litigation becomes necessary.

Why Insurance Companies Undervalue Drunk Driving Claims

Insurance companies are businesses focused on profit. They pay claims from a pool of premiums collected from policyholders. The less they pay out, the more profit they keep. This creates a financial incentive to minimize what they offer you. Insurance adjusters use several tactics to undervalue claims. They may argue that you share fault for the accident, even when the drunk driver clearly caused it. They may claim your injuries aren’t as serious as your medical records show. They may offer a quick settlement before you’ve fully recovered and understand the extent of your injuries. They may delay processing your claim, hoping you’ll accept a lower offer out of financial desperation.

You should never accept an insurance company’s first offer without consulting an attorney. Parker Waichman LLP knows these tactics and knows how to counter them. We’ve handled hundreds of car accident cases in Bonita Springs and understand what fair compensation looks like. We fight for maximum recovery so you can focus on healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a drunk driving accident?

First, check yourself and your passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Move to a safe location if possible. Call the police and report the accident. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and the other driver’s vehicle. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, address, insurance information, and vehicle details. Collect names and contact information from witnesses. Do not admit fault or discuss your injuries with the other driver. Contact Parker Waichman LLP before speaking with any insurance company. Our free case evaluation can help you understand your rights immediately.

How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the limit is two years. However, don’t wait to file your claim. Evidence degrades over time, witnesses’ memories fade, and the other driver’s insurance company may dispute your account of events. Contact Parker Waichman LLP immediately after your accident so we can preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Can I sue the drunk driver directly?

Yes. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, separate from an insurance claim. In fact, we typically pursue both simultaneously. The insurance claim provides compensation up to the policy limits. If your damages exceed those limits, a lawsuit against the driver personally may recover additional compensation. Parker Waichman LLP handles both the insurance claim and any necessary litigation. Our experience with personal injury lawsuits ensures comprehensive representation.

What if the drunk driver doesn’t have insurance?

Florida requires all drivers to carry minimum Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance of $10,000 and Property Damage Liability (PDL) of $10,000. Bodily injury liability coverage is optional in Florida. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can pursue a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If the at-fault driver is underinsured—meaning their policy limits are less than your damages—you can pursue underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Parker Waichman LLP investigates all available sources of compensation and pursues every avenue to recover what you’re owed.

How much is my drunk driving accident case worth?

The value of your case depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, your lost wages, the strength of liability evidence, and the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, permanent disability, or death have higher values than cases involving minor injuries. Parker Waichman LLP offers a free case evaluation to assess the value of your specific claim. We’ll review your medical records, discuss your injuries and losses, and give you an honest assessment of what your case is worth.

Will my case go to trial?

Most personal injury cases settle before trial. Insurance companies often prefer to settle rather than risk a jury verdict. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys have extensive trial experience and aren’t afraid to litigate. We’ll advise you on whether settlement or trial is in your best interest based on the specific facts of your case.

How much does it cost to hire Parker Waichman LLP?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case through settlement or verdict. Our fee comes from the compensation we recover for you. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours—we’re motivated to recover the maximum amount possible because that’s how we’re paid. You’ll never receive a bill from Parker Waichman LLP unless we successfully resolve your case.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP for a Free Consultation

If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, don’t face the insurance company alone. Call 800-968-7529 today for a free consultation with an experienced Bonita Springs personal injury attorney. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer your questions. We serve Bonita Springs and the surrounding areas, and Spanish-speaking attorneys are available. You pay nothing unless we win. Let Parker Waichman LLP fight for the compensation you deserve. Schedule your free consultation with our team today.

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