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Victims of Drunk Drivers – Can You Get Punitive Damages?

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Florida with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more. The penalties for the driver who is caught driving while intoxicated can be severe. The first offense carries a possible fine of $1,000.00 and up to six months in jail. Though it sounds severe, it does […]

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Find Out If You Have a Personal Injury Case

At Jones Law Group in St. Petersburg, FL, we would like to hear from you. Contact us for a free personal injury case consultation.

Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847

Florida Personal Injury Insights

Get educated on the Florida's personal injury laws and more.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Florida with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more. The penalties for the driver who is caught driving while intoxicated can be severe. The first offense carries a possible fine of $1,000.00 and up to six months in jail. Though it sounds severe, it does not deter many drivers from going out and consuming alcohol past the point of legal intoxication and driving on a regular basis.

Drunk drivers endanger the general public with slowed reactions, poor decision making and reckless behavior. Too often, I read about the drunk driver that was involved in an accident, severely injuring or killing the other driver while the drunk driver managed to walk away unscathed. The victims, or the victim’s family, in these cases often want justice in the way of making sure that the drunk driver receives the maximum penalty. They also want to be compensated for their injuries or the loss of a loved one. In the case of a death or a catastrophic injury, money damages seem insufficient.

Punitive damages are damages which are awarded not to compensate the victim for their injuries or loss. Punitive damages are awarded in excess of those damages and are designed to punish the wrong doer financially. To determine whether punitive are appropriate a court will examine the nature of the defendants behavior and the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. Some factors the court will consider are:

1. Did the accident result in a death or a catastrophic injury?
2. Did the defendant plead guilty to DUI?
3. Did the defendant behave in a reckless or intentional manner?
4. Did the defendant leave the scene?
5. Did the defendant voluntarily become intoxicated?

Have you been involved in a car or motorcycle accident which you believe you believe may have been caused by a drunk driver? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. The decision to hire an experienced personal injury attorney is an extremely important one. We at Jones Law Group invite you to come in, meet us, question us and experience the level of customer service that each of our clients receive.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or operating car or motorcycle and have been victim of drunk driver, you should immediately call The Law Offices of Bobby Jones at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

https://www.jlgtampabay.com/personal-injury

Related Car Accident Insights

Group of people at the scene of a minor fender bender discussing if they should report it

Should I Report a Minor Fender Bender?

After a minor car accident, reporting the collision can help preserve evidence if you pursue a personal injury claim later on. Summary Every day, countless drivers in Florida experience the unsettling jolt of a minor car accident. These fender benders, while often resulting in mere scratches or small dents, are surprisingly common. In many cases, […]

Caution Sign

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Pinellas County, Florida sees an average of 77 car accidents on a daily basis. Some of those accidents are among the eight fatal accidents that happen each day statewide. Whether death or injury is the result, the impacts are wide-reaching. For accident victims, the healing process is rife with pain, frustrations, and oppressive expenses. Those […]

When Should You Stop for a Stopped School Bus?

Gabby’s Law If Gabby’s Law passes the Florida Legislature, drivers that illegally pass a stopped school bus could wind up in jail. The bill is named for Gabby Mair who was hit and killed shortly after exiting a school bus in 2010. The bill proposes to raise the fines for illegally passing a stopped school […]

Picture of a 4-way-stop sign where drivers have to obey the rules about who goes first

Who Goes First at a Four-Way Stop?

Reduce your risk of getting into a car accident by reviewing who goes first at a four-way stop and other commonly broken traffic regulations.Summary Understanding traffic rules is crucial to avoid car accidents. Unfortunately, many drivers operate under misconceptions that can lead to dangerous situations. Our team of auto accident attorneys is here to clarify […]

truck on road

Common Commercial Trucking Violations

Truck drivers, their employers, and other members of the industry have strict rules and regulations to follow in order to keep the roads safe. When they’re negligent, their violations lead to avoidable catastrophic injuries and deaths.  In fact, Florida is among the top 10 states with the most fatal truck accidents. Since several parties are […]

Bike Safety

Safety Tips for New Bikers

Essential safety tips for new motorcycle riders in Florida, including choosing the right bike, wearing proper gear, defensive riding, and avoiding common causes of crashes.

Do you have a personal injury case in Tampa Bay, Florida?

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Jones Law Group logo, Personal Injury Lawyer in St Petersburg Florida

Jones Law Group is a dedicated personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, serving the Tampa Bay area since 2006. Our experienced attorneys specialize in car accidents, slip and fall cases, employment law disputes, construction law issues, and overtime wage claims, fighting for maximum compensation on a contingency fee basis. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.

5622 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847

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