St. Petersburg DUI Accident Attorneys

Where Law Gets Personal
DUI accident

What This Page Covers:

  • Severity: Driving under the influence dramatically increases the risk of causing severe harm or fatalities on the road. Drunk driving remains a leading cause of traffic deaths in Florida.
  • Legal Accountability: Victims of DUI accidents have the right to hold drunk drivers accountable for injuries through civil claims. Compensation may include that for medical expenses, lost wages, and punitive damages.
  • Liability Complexity: In DUI cases, multiple parties beyond the driver, such as bars or employers, could share liability. An experienced attorney is essential to navigate these complexities.
  • Marsalisi Law: Our firm offers personalized attention to DUI accident victims in St. Petersburg.  We aim to secure maximum recovery for clients while reducing the stress of legal proceedings.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious crime.  Driving impaired or incapacitated greatly increases the risk of hurting another person or even ending their life.  Drunk driving causes significant suffering and often leads to tragedy.  It is one of the top causes of road fatalities.   Therefore, police departments all over Florida prioritize reducing the number of drunk driving crashes that take place.

If you were hurt because a drunk driver broke the law, you have the right to hold him or her accountable in civil court.  Hiring an experienced DUI accident lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL can significantly improve your chances of recovering damages for your injuries and other expenses due to the drunk driver.

St. Petersburg, Florida DUI Accident Statistics

While the number of DUI crashes that take lives has steadily decreased, the overall statistics still remain grim.  These accidents are completely preventable by driving responsibly.  Yet, far too many people get hurt or die each year in Florida due to a drunk driver.

Drunk driving is more rampant in areas where nightlife thrives.  In places like Downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches, these types of accidents are more common than in suburban or rural areas on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  In Florida, drunk driving is the top cause of fatal car accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, approximately 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving accidents.  In 2022, over 13,000 individuals were killed in preventable DUI car accidents.  This means 32% of all traffic fatalities are linked to DUI.

Laws Against DUI in Florida

DUI is strictly forbidden in all states.  In Florida, anyone who drives with a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.08 or above is considered to be driving under the influence.  For those under the age of 21, a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.02 is a DUI.

DUI is usually considered a misdemeanor crime, and a defendant could face jail time and fines if convicted.  A DUI that results in serious bodily injury, however, is a third-degree felony for which the defendant could receive a sentence of:

  • Up to 5 years in prison; AND/OR
  • A fine of up to $5,000

Under criminal law, the court may also require drunk drivers to pay restitution to their victims as part of their sentence.  Criminal courts, however, do not generally do a complex analysis of the accident or the damages a victim has sustained.  Therefore, you should hire an experienced DUI accident lawyer to more accurately calculate your damages.

Who Is Responsible for a DUI Accident Resulting in Injuries?

DUI accident claims can be highly complex because there could be more than one party liable for your injuries besides the drunk driver who struck you.  A DUI accident case could involve:

  • Hotels;
  • Bars;
  • Restaurants;
  • Social hosts;
  • Event organizers;
  • Vehicle manufacturers;
  • Employers.

Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to hold the above parties liable for your injuries.  Other parties may also be liable, and you might find yourself in circumstances where more than one individual needs to be held accountable.  Due to the complexity of your claim, we encourage you to work with an attorney who can support you during these legal matters.  An attorney can assist in determining liability and fight for the proper compensation.

Compensation for Victims After a DUI Accident

Those who survive drunk driving accidents tend to need immediate medical attention and long-term care.  The cost of medical treatment can quickly skyrocket and be financially devastating.  Those who survive often require long hospital stays that keep them away from work and family.  Not working because of a drunk driving accident can only put a further strain on a family’s financial situation.

With the help of a DUI accident attorney in St. Petersburg, it could be possible to gain financial relief.  DUI accidents are among the few accident types that may incur punitive damages in Florida.  In general, you may usually claim the following losses if your DUI accident claim succeeds:

  • All medical expenses, including past and future medical bills;
  • Lost wages and reduced or lost earning capacity;
  • Mental anguish;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Loss of consortium for a spouse or reduced quality of life;
  • Punitive damages.

Punitive damages are unique in that they are additional damages the court may impose to punish the defendant(s).  This penalty aims to deter the defendant and others from engaging in the conduct that led to the lawsuit.

Can I File a DUI Accident Lawsuit in St. Petersburg?

Are you a victim of a drunk driver in St. Petersburg, FL?  Were you a driver, passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or another road user when a DUI crash took place and changed your life?  You have the right to seek legal counsel to fight for all damages resulting from your accident.

When you file a claim for your DUI accident-related injuries and losses, you can protect your rights and financial stability.  However, we strongly encourage you to work with an attorney during your claim to maximize your potential compensation, reduce stress related to your case, and minimize time spent in litigation or court proceedings.

When you retain an attorney from Marsalisi Law, you protect your right to an attorney.  You also protect your right to hold other parties accountable for any harm that they have caused.  We understand that dangerous behavior is never worth the thrill or the risk, and we want to help you manage this challenging time.

How to Prove Liability in Your DUI Accident Claim

To receive compensation for your losses, you must demonstrate that someone is liable for the damages they have allegedly caused.  Within a personal injury claim, there are four essential factors you must prove correct, which are the following:

  • Someone owed you a duty of care, such as a duty to drive in a safe and prudent manner;
  • An individual breached their duty of care, acting negligently by drinking while driving, ignoring dram shop liability, or texting on the road;
  • There is a connection between someone’s negligence and your injuries, which can be demonstrated with support from medical records after seeking care;
  • You suffered economic or non-economic monetary losses, such as medical bills or pain and suffering, that would qualify you for compensation from the liable party.

If you need assistance demonstrating liability in your DUI accident claim, Marsalisi Law can help.  We know that speaking for yourself in a legal setting can be intimidating, but our firm has the experience and confidence necessary to help you move forward.  We can help you prove liability and hold the responsible parties accountable for their irresponsible actions.

What Is a Dram Shop’s Duty of Care?

Any dram shop is an entity that sells or serves alcohol, such as a hotel, bar, tavern, club, or restaurant.  On top of any duty of care that a typical restaurant owner would be responsible for, dram shops have an extensive duty of care.  When you are being served alcohol, a dram shop’s duty of care includes the following:

  • Preventing customers from getting overserved;
  • Refusing service to minor patrons;
  • Training employees to handle alcohol-related transactions;
  • Checking ID to ensure consumption is legal;
  • Utilizing up-to-date techniques and technology to mitigate the risk of illegal sale;
  • Not allowing alcohol to leave the premises.

Other duties may also fall under a dram shop’s responsibilities, and the laws are clear about the implications of these responsibilities.  When a dram shop breaches its duty of care, that establishment could be found liable for any related injuries.  This can include patrons who would have been overserved and get into accidents after drinking.

How Can an Attorney Help With Your DUI Accident Claim?

If you have been hurt due to a drunk driver’s irresponsible actions, we encourage you to file a personal injury claim and retain an attorney.  When you work with a lawyer, such as one from Marsalisi Law, you are much more likely to walk away with the results you need and deserve.  And by allowing us to focus on your claim, you can spend more time resting and recovering from your injuries.

When you work with us, we can support you in many ways, including the following:

  • Conduct an independent and thorough investigation of the incident;
  • Collect and analyze evidence to find proof of liability for losses;
  • Consult with other professionals, like reconstructors and medical practitioners, to determine the full scope of your damages;
  • Complete paperwork and legal documents both correctly and on time;
  • Work with your healthcare team to find and obtain any missing records;
  • Utilize research methods and other tools that are only available to legal professionals;
  • Explanations and understanding of the legal system so you know how to make it work;
  • Communicate with other parties and insurance adjusters on your behalf;
  • Negotiate with other parties to recover a fair and satisfactory settlement;
  • Represent you in the litigation process and trial if necessary.

We urge you to contact us and refrain from representing yourself during your legal matters, as Marsalisi Law can help you bring about the results you need.  When you retain us, you can spend more time resting, healing, worrying less, and receive complete compensation much sooner.

We work on contingency and offer free, no-obligation consultations, meaning you only pay us when you win your claim.  This also means we are just as invested in your claim’s success as you, treating your case as our personal responsibility.  Please reach out to us at your convenience to schedule a consultation and meet with a talented, dedicated, and experienced attorney.

Hire a DUI Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg

At Marsalisi Law, Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi is a “Top 3” Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg with a fierce dedication to DUI accident victims.  He has many years of experience representing drunk driving accident victims in personal injury lawsuits and holding all parties accountable for their dangerous actions.  Each and every client who works with Frank receives his personal attention and gets frequent case updates.  If you are too injured to come to the firm, Frank Marsalisi will visit you wherever you are recovering.  He is also fluent in English and Spanish.

You can expect Frank to be by your side as you navigate the complex case ahead of you.  Frank P. Marsalisi is a member of the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association and has successfully litigated many DUI accident claims.  Find out how to start your journey toward peace of mind by calling (727) 800-5052.  You may also complete our contact form for a free consultation.  Contact our office today to get the help you need and start the journey to financial, emotional, and physical healing today.  Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.