🚨 Hit by a Drunk Driver? What You Need to Know About Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Understanding the Legal Path After a DUI-Related Injury or Death
Getting into a serious car accident caused by a driver under the influence is a traumatic, life-altering event. The aftermath often includes:
Prolonged recovery or disability
Emotional trauma
Medical expenses
Lost income
In tragic cases, the wrongful death of a loved one
You have legal options—but timing, documentation, and proper strategy are crucial.
What Is Personal Injury in a DUI Case?
A personal injury lawsuit allows the injured person (or their representative) to sue the drunk driver for:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages (especially in DUI cases)
📌 DUI crashes often qualify for punitive damages due to reckless, unlawful behavior.
What If the Victim Dies?
A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by eligible family members (usually the spouse, children, or parents) if a loved one is killed due to the drunk driver’s negligence.
You may be entitled to:
Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship or support
Medical expenses before death
Lost future income
Emotional suffering
Punitive damages
What Are Your Legal Options?
Civil Lawsuit for Personal Injury or Wrongful Death
You (or your family) sue the at-fault driver in civil court.
You do not have to wait for a criminal conviction.
Criminal Case by the State
Prosecutors may charge the DUI driver with vehicular assault, DUI manslaughter, or other crimes.
You can pursue a civil case in parallel.
Insurance Claim
File against the driver’s auto policy and/or your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Dram Shop Liability (in some states)
You may sue the bar or restaurant that served the visibly intoxicated driver.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
Every state has a statute of limitations (typically 2–4 years), which is the legal deadline for filing a claim. In Florida, for example:
Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of injury
Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death
📣 Do not wait. Once this time passes, you may lose your right to compensation—forever.
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Medical treatment & recovery | Weeks to months |
| Case investigation & documentation | 1–3 months |
| Filing the lawsuit | Immediate (once evidence is gathered) |
| Settlement negotiations | 3–12 months |
| Trial (if needed) | 12–24 months |
How Lexcura Summit Supports DUI Injury & Death Cases
At Lexcura Summit, our team of over 200 board-certified medical experts and legal nurse consultants supports law firms and families by:
✅ Creating precise medical chronologies
✅ Preparing narrative summaries that illustrate long-term impact
✅ Supporting life care planning for catastrophic injuries
✅ Providing expert analysis of medical records
✅ Documenting pain and suffering, loss of function, or death-related factors
We help attorneys build litigation-ready documentation that tells the full story—clearly, accurately, and fast.
📞 Have a Client Injured by a Drunk Driver? Let Us Help.
Lexcura Summit offers free case reviews (up to 250 pages) and supports attorneys and families nationwide with litigation-ready reports delivered in under 7 days.
📱 Call (352) 703‑0703
🌐 Visit www.lexcurasummit.com
