DUI Accident Attorney in Hernando County

When a drunk driving accident devastates your life in Hernando County, you need legal advocates who understand both Florida’s DUI laws and the complex challenges facing victims of impaired drivers. At Lowman Law Firm, our Hernando County DUI accident attorneys have dedicated over two decades to fighting for the rights of those injured by drunk drivers, pursuing maximum compensation while holding impaired drivers accountable for their reckless choices.

Operating from our convenient offices in Brooksville and Spring Hill, we serve DUI accident victims throughout Hernando County’s communities. With drunk driving accidents claiming thousands of lives annually in Florida, understanding your rights after being injured by an impaired driver becomes essential for your recovery and justice.

The Devastating Impact of DUI Accidents in Florida

Florida faces a serious drunk driving crisis that affects communities throughout the state, including Hernando County. According to the latest statistics, Florida witnessed 822 fatalities due to impaired driving in 2023, with an additional 1,252 people sustaining serious injuries in drunk driving accidents. These numbers represent real families torn apart by preventable tragedies.

Nationally, the problem is equally alarming. Every day, about 34 people die in drunk-driving crashes across the United States – that’s one person every 42 minutes. In 2023 alone, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, all of which were completely preventable.

The financial toll is staggering, with impaired-driving crashes costing the United States $68.9 billion annually. However, no amount of money can compensate for the pain and suffering experienced by victims and their families.

DUI Accident Statistics in Florida

Understanding the scope of Florida’s drunk driving problem helps illustrate why strong legal advocacy is essential for victims:

• 5,111 alcohol-confirmed crashes occurred in Florida in 2021
• 44,185 DUI violations/arrests were recorded across Florida in 2023
• 20,608 DUI convictions resulted from those arrests
• About 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the US involve drunk drivers
• 1,837 drunk driving crashes occurred in Florida just in the first part of 2024
• Repeat offenders with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher were 6 times more likely to have prior DUI convictions

In 2022, December and March had the highest number of alcohol-only crashes in Florida, with 497 and 484 crashes respectively. This seasonal pattern highlights times when Hernando County residents face increased risks from impaired drivers.

Hernando County’s Unique DUI Accident Risks

Hernando County’s characteristics create specific challenges that contribute to drunk driving accidents affecting our community members.

Tourist Destination Factors

Popular attractions like Weeki Wachee Springs bring visitors who may be unfamiliar with local roads while potentially consuming alcohol at local establishments. Tourist activity creates increased traffic and drinking opportunities that can lead to impaired driving incidents.

Major Highway Corridors

US-19 serves as a major north-south corridor through Hernando County, carrying heavy traffic including visitors traveling between bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. High-speed traffic combined with impaired drivers creates deadly conditions.

Entertainment and Dining Areas

Concentrations of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues in areas like downtown Brooksville and along Commercial Way in Spring Hill create situations where patrons may drive after drinking.

Rural Road Networks

Many county roads lack adequate lighting and have limited law enforcement presence, creating opportunities for drunk drivers to avoid detection while putting other road users at serious risk.

Seasonal Population Changes

Hernando County’s population swells with seasonal residents and tourists, many of whom may be less familiar with local roads and more likely to drink and drive during vacation activities.

Common Locations for DUI Accidents in Hernando County

Through our representation of DUI accident victims, we’ve identified high-risk areas where drunk driving accidents frequently occur:

• US Highway 19: Major commercial corridor with numerous bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues
• Commercial Way: Spring Hill’s main commercial strip with multiple establishments serving alcohol
• Downtown Brooksville: Historic district with bars and restaurants concentrated near Main Street
• Weeki Wachee Parkway: Tourist route with drinking establishments and unfamiliar drivers
• County Line Road: High-speed corridor along the Pasco County border
• Spring Hill Drive: Major east-west route connecting residential areas to entertainment districts
• Restaurant and Bar Parking Lots: Property exits where impaired drivers enter public roads

Understanding Florida’s DUI Laws

Florida has strict DUI laws designed to deter drunk driving and protect innocent road users. Our attorneys use these laws to build strong cases for accident victims.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limits

In Florida, it’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. For drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol can result in DUI charges. Commercial drivers face a lower 0.04% BAC limit.

DUI Penalties in Florida

Florida imposes severe penalties for DUI convictions, including:

• First Offense: Fines from $500-$1,000, up to 6 months jail, minimum 180-day license revocation
• Second Offense: Increased fines and jail time, longer license suspension
• Third Offense (within 10 years): Felony charges with potential prison time
• Enhanced Penalties: Higher BAC levels (.15+) or accidents with injuries result in more severe consequences

Implied Consent Laws

Florida’s implied consent law means that by driving on Florida roads, drivers automatically consent to chemical testing if arrested for DUI. Refusing testing results in automatic license suspension.

Types of DUI Accident Cases We Handle

Fatal DUI Accidents

When drunk drivers cause fatal accidents, families may pursue wrongful death claims for their devastating losses. These cases seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and the immeasurable loss of companionship.

Catastrophic Injury DUI Accidents

Serious injuries from drunk driving accidents often result in permanent disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering conditions requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

Multi-Vehicle DUI Crashes

Drunk drivers often cause chain-reaction accidents involving multiple vehicles, creating complex liability situations requiring thorough investigation and legal expertise.

Pedestrian and Cyclist DUI Accidents

Impaired drivers frequently strike pedestrians and cyclists, causing severe injuries due to the vulnerability of those not protected by vehicle safety features.

Hit-and-Run DUI Accidents

Some drunk drivers flee accident scenes to avoid detection. We work with law enforcement to identify these drivers while pursuing compensation through uninsured motorist coverage when necessary.

Under-21 DUI Accidents

Underage drinking and driving cases involve additional legal considerations and often result in enhanced penalties for the impaired driver.

Common DUI Accident Injuries

Drunk driving accidents often cause severe injuries due to the high speeds and reckless behavior typically involved.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head trauma from DUI accidents can cause lasting cognitive impairment, personality changes, and require lifelong medical care. These injuries dramatically impact victims’ ability to work and maintain relationships.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The violent forces in drunk driving accidents can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis requiring extensive rehabilitation and adaptive equipment.

Multiple Fractures

Victims often suffer complex fractures requiring multiple surgeries, extended hospitalization, and lengthy recovery periods that prevent them from working and enjoying normal activities.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma can cause internal organ damage, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening injuries requiring emergency surgery and ongoing medical treatment.

Burn Injuries

When DUI accidents cause fires or explosions, victims may suffer severe burns requiring skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and resulting in permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Psychological Trauma

The emotional impact of being injured by a drunk driver can cause PTSD, anxiety, depression, and survivor’s guilt that may require professional counseling and ongoing mental health treatment.

Proving Liability in DUI Accident Cases

Successfully pursuing compensation from drunk drivers requires proving both negligence and intoxication at the time of the accident.

Evidence of Impairment

We work to obtain police reports, BAC test results, field sobriety test footage, witness statements, and other evidence demonstrating the driver’s impairment.

Accident Reconstruction

Our team works with accident reconstruction experts to analyze crash scenes, vehicle damage, and physical evidence to establish how the drunk driver caused the accident.

Surveillance and Video Evidence

We investigate whether traffic cameras, business security cameras, or other surveillance captured the accident or the drunk driver’s behavior before the crash.

Bar and Restaurant Liability

In some cases, establishments that over-served alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons may share liability under Florida’s dram shop laws, providing additional sources of compensation.

Compensation Available for DUI Accident Victims

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Hernando County may recover comprehensive compensation for their extensive losses.

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
• Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and reduced earning capacity from permanent injuries
• Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement and damaged personal belongings
• Future Medical Care: Long-term treatment, therapy, medications, and assistive equipment
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: Accessibility improvements for disabled victims

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress from injuries
• Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in activities and hobbies
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Permanent changes to appearance
• Loss of Consortium: Impact on relationships with spouses and family members
• Mental Anguish: Psychological trauma from being victimized by a drunk driver

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be available in DUI cases to punish the drunk driver’s reckless conduct and deter similar behavior. These damages go beyond compensating victims to send a strong message about unacceptable behavior.

Immediate Steps After a DUI Accident

The actions taken immediately after being hit by a drunk driver can significantly impact both safety and legal outcomes.

1. Call 911 Immediately: Report the accident and request police and medical assistance
2. Get Medical Attention: Seek immediate medical evaluation even if you feel uninjured
3. Document Everything: Take photos of vehicles, damage, the scene, and any visible injuries
4. Don’t Confront the Drunk Driver: Let police handle the situation and avoid confrontation
5. Gather Witness Information: Get contact information from anyone who saw the accident
6. Preserve Evidence: Keep damaged clothing, medical records, and other evidence
7. Report to Insurance: Notify your insurance company but avoid detailed statements
8. Contact Our Office: Call (352) 796-0016 (Brooksville) or (352) 540-7777 (Spring Hill) immediately

Learn more about what to do if you’ve been hit by a drunk driver and tips after a drunk driving accident.

Insurance Challenges in DUI Accident Cases

While DUI accidents often involve clear liability, insurance companies may still try to minimize payouts or dispute claims.

Coverage Disputes

Insurance companies may argue that DUI accidents fall outside policy coverage or attempt to invoke exclusions. We fight these tactics to ensure full coverage applies.

Policy Limits Issues

Drunk drivers often carry minimal insurance coverage that may not fully compensate serious injury victims. We explore all available insurance sources and assets for maximum recovery.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims

When drunk drivers lack adequate insurance, victims may need to pursue claims through their own uninsured motorist coverage.

Quick Settlement Attempts

Insurance companies often make low settlement offers immediately after DUI accidents, hoping victims will accept before understanding the full extent of their injuries and losses.

Proudly Serving All of Hernando County

Brooksville | Spring Hill | Spring Lake | Ridge Manor