We all know that drunk drivers are a threat to everyone on the road. However, motorcyclists are often their worst victims for several reasons. Motorcyclists do not have the protection offered by typical vehicles where the vehicle’s body and frame bear the brunt of a collision.
Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is one of the leading causes of road accidents, injuries, and deaths around the world. In the United States, it’s estimated that 1 person dies from a DUI accident every 50 minutes.
Florida has a higher than national average rate of DUI accidents which is evident from the statistics that show almost 8,476 people died due to DUI accidents between 2003 and 2012 in Florida alone.
What Qualifies as DUI in Florida?
Like every other state in the United States, Florida has its legal definition of what qualifies as DUI. Any driver whose blood alcohol level (BAC) is more than 0.08% is considered under the influence. The bar is even lower for commercial drivers where a blood alcohol level of 0.04% is considered under the influence. The most restrictive, however, is for underage drivers whose blood alcohol level cannot be more than 0.02%. Therefore, if a driver is found driving in an intoxicated state, the driver will be legally held accountable for their actions as per the law.
Florida has a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to underage drunk driving. In some cases, parents organizing a party for those under the age of 21 may be held liable for serving alcohol which later resulted in an accident.
Additionally, bars and restaurants may also be held accountable for DUI accidents if they knowingly serve alcohol to a person who has addiction-related issues, is visibly intoxicated, and/or it’s apparent that he or she will drive a vehicle after drinking.
What damages can you recover in a DUI motorcycle accident in Florida?
If you or a loved one was the victim of a DUI related motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages for the injuries. Economic damages can include financial loss due to lost wages, property damage, and/or future loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and mental anguish due to the DUI motorcycle accident. In cases of death, surviving family members of the victim can bring a lawsuit against the drunk driver responsible for the accident. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to recover punitive damages from the drunk driver. Punitive damages are a monetary amount intended to punish the drunk driver for his or her reckless behavior.
Florida DUI Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys
A DUI motorcycle accident lawsuit is a complicated case, and you will want the help of a professional and experienced DUI motorcycle injury attorney. We at Marsalisi Law specialize in DUI Motorcycle Accident Injuries cases. Call 727-800-5052 to Talk to Frank or send us a message here so that we can schedule you for a free legal consultation. Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.
