Professional Ocala Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
We all know that drinking and driving is illegal, but many people do it anyway. Many people enjoy partying and don’t want to call someone to drive them home. So they try to drive while intoxicated, while their judgment and reaction time is impacted. This often leads to serious and deadly accidents. If you or a loved one was injured or killed by an intoxicated driver’s negligence, contact an Ocala drunk driver accident attorney today.
What is Drunk Driving According to Florida Law?
Drunk driving is when a person drives a vehicle while they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above. Under Florida law, if a person is under the age of 21, they can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if their BAC is just 0.02% or above. This is just one alcoholic drink. Each drink you have is more and more dangerous to yourself and others on the road.
I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver in Ocala. What Should I Do Now?
After getting hit by a drunk driver, your first thought may be to file a lawsuit. However, the better option may be to talk to the other driver’s insurance company about a settlement. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, an Ocala personal injury attorney can help. The attorney can tell the insurance company that you are intending to seek compensation for all damages resulting from the drunk driving accident.
You will likely get a large sum for settlement. This is because insurance companies don’t want to take a drunk driving car accident to court. When their insured driver has been convicted of a DUI or DWI offense, taking the case to trial can be an expensive decision. A jury will most likely rule in favor of the victim and award them a huge sum of money. There, a higher-than-average settlement is in the insurance company’s best interest.
Ocala Drunk Driving Accidents Can Lead to Two Types of Cases under Florida Law
A drunk driving accident can lead to both a criminal and a civil case. A person convicted of a DWI or DUI offense can face jail time, hefty fines, license loss, and other penalties. This is a criminal case.
A civil case is when you file a personal injury claim with the help of an Ocala car accident lawyer against the drunk driver. If a judge finds the driver guilty, they will have to pay you compensation for your damages.
A criminal case and a civil case are not connected. You can have one without the other. Even if the driver is not convicted of a DUI, you can still sue them for damages. They just won’t face any criminal penalties.
What Compensation Can Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Get in Your Case?
Drunk drivers pose a serious threat on Ocala’s roads, often making reckless decisions that endanger others. Their impaired judgment can lead to excessive speeding, failure to brake, and other dangerous driving behaviors, resulting in devastating consequences. These crashes often cause:
- Pain and suffering: A drunk driving crash can leave you with physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Our team will fight for compensation that accounts for your suffering and other non-economic damages.
- Medical expenses: Victims of drunk driving crashes often have to deal with severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care—leading to overwhelming medical bills.
- Lost salary and lowered earning capacity: If your injuries stop you from working temporarily or at all, we will document your lost wages, reduced earning ability, and any career-related setbacks caused by the accident.
- Other significant losses: Every case is unique, and we will thoroughly investigate your accident-related damages to get you maximum compensation.
Drunk drivers’ reckless actions can cost innocent lives, leaving families devastated in the aftermath. If you have lost a loved one in an Ocala drunk driving accident, our wrongful death attorneys at Meldon Law extend our deepest sympathies. We will pursue justice on your behalf, whether during settlement negotiations or in court.
Why Choose Meldon Law’s Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Ocala?
At Meldon Law, we have been fighting for drunk driving accident victims since 1971. Our unwavering dedication to justice, aggressive legal representation, and client-first approach make us the firm you can trust. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a drunk driver in Ocala, we are ready to take on your case with the skill, determination, and compassion you deserve.
We Build a Strong Case for You
Our Ocala drunk driving accident lawyers will:
- Gather and secure key evidence proving the at-fault driver’s impairment
- Obtain police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements
- Collect medical records, vehicle repair invoices, and financial statements to establish your damages
- Negotiate with insurers and their legal teams to seek the maximum compensation
- Handle all legal aspects of your case, while keeping you in the loop at all times.
We are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary—we fight for justice, not just a quick settlement.
We Don’t Back Down—We Fight for You
The aftermath of a drunk driving collision is terrible, and insurance companies or opposing parties may try to:
- Blame you for the crash—even when the impaired driver was at fault
- Hide or destroy critical evidence
- Offer unfair, lowball settlements
- Delay the claims process unnecessarily
At Meldon Law, we never tolerate these tactics. We take on your fight like it’s our own, aggressively pursuing the compensation you deserve. Your Ocala drunk driving accident attorney will refuse to let insurance companies or negligent parties take advantage of you.
Our Law Firm Has More Than 50 Years of Legal Excellence
For over half a century, our team has been standing up for accident victims across Florida. Our proven track record demonstrates:
- Decades of legal expertise that cannot be imitated
- A profound understanding of each client’s unique needs, allowing us to tailor our approach for the best outcome
- A history of securing fair settlements and verdicts, no matter the challenges of a case
With Meldon Law, you gain more than just a lawyer—you gain a dedicated advocate who will fight relentlessly for your rights.
Compassionate Legal Representation Beyond the Case
At Meldon Law, the law is not just our profession—it’s our calling. We genuinely care about our clients and their well-being. From regular case updates to personalized legal strategies, we ensure that you feel supported every step of the way. Don’t just take our word for it—our client testimonials speak for themselves.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
At Meldon Law, we work on a contingency fee basis—this means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. You risk nothing by hiring us, but you gain a team that will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Ocala Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today
Getting hit by a drunk driver can be a frustrating issue, especially since all motorists know that driving while intoxicated is illegal. You need to ensure you hold the drunk driver and their insurance company liable for your damages.
The personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law can give you the advice you need to deal with this type of accident. We can help you deal with the insurance company or file a lawsuit, if needed. Schedule a free consultation with an Ocala drunk driving auto crash attorney as soon as possible!
Meldon Law
Address: 1326 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, United States
Phone: 352-373-8000
Opening Hours: Call Us 24/7 For Legal Help