DUI Accident Attorney Tampa

According to CDC data, an average of 32 people are killed daily in impaired driving crashes in the United States. In response, state legislators, politicians, and courts in Florida have imposed stiff penalties and fines for drunk drivers involved in accidents.

Chances are that you won't just face criminal charges but also a personal injury lawsuit if you are charged with drunk driving that causes bodily injury or property damage. At Carlson Meissner & Hayslett, our DUI accident lawyers in Florida have the top skills and experience in both criminal defense and personal injury cases of this nature. We will do everything possible within the law to fight your DUI accident charges and get you the results you deserve.

Florida’s Drunk Driving Laws

Some examples of Florida’s drunk driving laws include the following:

Driving a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or more is illegal
Drivers that show impairment or are unable to clear their field sobriety tests can be arrested, regardless of the blood alcohol content
Florida has a no-tolerance policy for underage DUI drivers, meaning they will be arrested regardless of the level of alcohol in the system
Drivers holding a commercial driver’s license can be held if they have a BAC of 0.04%

Penalties for DUI with Injury in Florida

DUI penalties in Florida are enhanced if the impaired condition results in the following:

An accident causing serious bodily injury
Wrongful death
Substantial property damage

For example, DUI accidents that cause injury to another person will likely be filed as a third-degree felony.

This is punishable by:

Five years in Florida State Prison
A mandatory DUI substance abuse course
Up to five years of probation
Up to $5,000 in fines

This makes hiring an experienced DUI attorney immediately after the crash essential. The attorneys at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett can get involved and negotiate with prosecutors to reduce the charges by advocating on your behalf and challenging the evidence.

Fault in a Drunk Driving Accident

Unfortunately, the issue of fault in DUI accidents is generally open and shut. As per Florida Statute 316.193, driving while intoxicated that results in serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. It becomes a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison if the crash results in death.

You need our proven and powerful DUI accident defense attorneys on your side to protect your rights. We will use our extensive legal knowledge about alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents in Florida and find ways in which the evidence in your case can be interpreted to cast serious doubt upon the prosecution’s claims.

Our lawyers will work with the insurance company attorneys to prepare a rock-solid defense where necessary. Our primary goal will be to shift the criminal charge and the charge of negligence away from you. The stakes are incredibly high in these cases, and we know what it takes to successfully fight for your rights in a Florida DUI accident case.

Our Legal Team Will Aggressively Advocate for Your Rights and Fight to Have Your DUI Accident Charges Dismissed

The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett have the legal knowledge and resources to provide the best defense for a DUI accident charge.

This includes serious DUI charges, such as DUI with serious bodily injury, felony DUI, and DUI manslaughter. We will fight to win and leave no stone unturned to get your charges dropped or diminished. To schedule your free consultation, call 877-728-9653 or reach us online.

Free Case Evaluation Contact us today to learn how we can help you navigate your legal concerns.

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