Our Tampa drunk driving accident attorney explains what injury victims need to know
Florida drunk drivers wreak havoc throughout the year in the Sunshine State. But drunk driving accidents are especially bad in Florida during the holiday season. That’s why state and local law enforcement agencies are taking extra steps to prevent drunk driving accidents and crack down on impaired driving this holiday season.
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“The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it also remains one of the deadliest periods for impaired driving,” according to the Florida Law Enforcement Liaison Program, which organized this year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Holiday Campaign in Florida. “Each year, lives are lost because of drivers who choose to drive under the influence.”
How bad are holiday drunk driving accidents in Florida?
The short answer? Very bad. Every year, drunk drivers in Florida cause many serious and fatal accidents during the holiday season. During December, the number of collisions caused by drunk drivers increases dramatically in Florida every year, according to Drive Sober Florida.
“Despite impressive efforts to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries in Florida, impaired driving crashes continue to be a barrier to reaching our goal of zero fatalities on our roadways,” according to Drive Sober Florida.
And it’s not just Florida. Across the country, drunk drivers often cause accidents during the holiday season as well. In 2023, drivers under the influence of alcohol caused 1,038 car accident deaths in December that year, according to the Florida Law Enforcement Liaison Program.
How does Florida’s holiday DUI crackdown work?
Every year, Florida law enforcement agencies partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement program designed to prevent drunk driving accidents in Florida and nationwide.
“During the Christmas and New Year holiday periods, we often see a rise in drunk-driving deaths,” according to the NHTSA. “In fact, the latest NHTSA data shows December drunk driving deaths are one of the highest in 15 years. As a result, you'll likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
As part of the “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign in Florida, state and local police will undertake a wide range of activities, including:
- Increase DUI patrols throughout Florida.
- Set up more sobriety checkpoints statewide.
- Educate the public about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Why do drunk driving accidents increase during the holidays?
Holiday seasons bring together several factors that increase the risk of impaired driving crashes. Alcohol is more readily available, social pressure to drink is higher, and many drivers underestimate how impaired they truly are.
Impaired driving affects critical abilities needed to drive safely:
- Judgment is usually the first ability to decline.
- Coordination and motor skills deteriorate next.
- Reaction time slows, making it harder to avoid sudden hazards.
In addition, more people are often on the road during the holiday season. And even in Florida, bad weather (heavy rain, occasional frost) can make holiday driving more hazardous, especially when you add drunk driving to the mix.
What Myths about impaired driving put people at risk?
Many drunk driving crashes happen because drivers believe myths about drinking and driving that give them false confidence behind the wheel. According to Drive Sober Florida, common misconceptions about impaired driving include:
- Coffee or energy drinks will sober someone up.
- Someone who does not look drunk is safe to drive.
- Riding a bicycle while impaired is not dangerous.
- Driving while high improves focus or reaction time.
In reality, only time reduces impairment. A person may feel alert but still lack the judgment and reaction time needed to drive safely. Drunk drivers need to stay off the road until they’re safe to drive or find some other way to get home that doesn’t put everyone else in danger.
Do I need to file a drunk driving lawsuit if the driver is charged with DUI?
DUI charges are criminal charges. A drunk driving lawsuit is a civil case. No matter what happens during a criminal DUI case, if you decide to file a drunk driving lawsuit, that case is separate, and the two cases have nothing to do with each other.
Many Florida drunk driving accident victims decide to file a drunk driving lawsuit to obtain compensation for their accident-related expenses, including medical bills, replacement income, vehicle repairs, and other accident-related expenses. Often, this is the best way to get the money you rightfully deserve.
Why isn’t a DUI arrest enough to protect injured victims?
Insurance companies handle drunk driving crashes like any other car accident claim. In other words, they often look for ways to limit what they pay injury victims, even if a drunk driver clearly caused the collision. In many cases, insurance companies will:
- Minimize the seriousness of injuries.
- Dispute the necessity of medical treatment.
- Delay claims to pressure for quick settlements.
- Attempt to shift partial blame to the injured person.
Without legal representation, drunk driving accident victims might face pressure to accept settlements that fail to pay for all their accident-related expenses. A lawyer can help injury victims demand the money they need and deserve to get their life back on track.
How can a Tampa drunk driving accident lawyer help me?
Many drunk driving accident claims and lawsuits in Florida quickly turn into complicated legal battles. Without the right legal support, you might not get the help or support you need to recover – physically, financially, and emotionally. That’s why we want to help.
Our Tampa drunk driving accident lawyer at Armando Personal Injury Law knows exactly what to do. That’s because attorney Armando Edmiston has been doing this work for years. He knows how to build strong cases in many different ways, including:
- Secure DUI arrest records and chemical test results
- Collect witness statements and surveillance footage
- Work with medical professionals and accident experts
- Calculate the true long-term cost of your injuries
If you were hit by a drunk driver this holiday season in Florida, don’t wait to find out what happens next. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with our Tampa drunk driving accident attorney. It costs you nothing to find out if you have a case, and you don't owe us a dime unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
About the Author
Attorney Armando Edmiston is the founding attorney of Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa, Florida, a law firm dedicated to helping people harmed in car, truck, motorcycle, nursing home, and other serious injury cases. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and personal injury lawyer, Armando draws on his real-world courtroom experience and years of representing injured Floridians to write and carefully review the legal content on this website. Every guide is written in clear, straightforward language so injured people and their families can better understand their rights, and is reviewed for legal accuracy before publication.