Spring Hill DUI Accident Lawyer
A Legal Team Ready to Fight for You
Were you hurt in a car accident in Spring Hill? Do you suspect the other driver was intoxicated by drugs or alcohol? If so, a Spring Hill DUI accident lawyer from Zervos & Calta, PLLC can help you hold them accountable for the suffering they’ve caused you.
When times are tough, your lawyer should be, too. We’ve been fighting hard for our clients for over 60 years combined. Our team has the skills and resources to handle the most complex injury claims. Let us pursue your compensation while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Contact Zervos & Calta, PLLC for a free consultation and discuss your options for financial recovery with a DUI accident attorney in Spring Hill.
How Common Is Drunk Driving in Spring Hill
Hernando County recorded 30 confirmed alcohol-related crashes in 2023 alone, according to FLHSMV. Separately, 2021 data shows alcohol-related crashes caused 9 fatalities and injured 41 people countywide, with another 3 crashes involving drivers impaired by both alcohol and drugs. Numbers like these are why so many families across Hernando County turn to a Spring Hill DUI accident lawyer from our firm to fight for the compensation they deserve.
What Compensation Can I Recover from a DUI Accident Claim
The money you could recover in a drunk driving accident claim should compensate you for the following:
- Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, prescription pain medication, and physical or occupational therapy;
- Costs of long-term care or support you may need, including home health care or home renovations to install disability accommodations;
- Loss of wages if you need to take time off work to recover from your injuries or transfer to a lower-paying position due to medical restrictions on your work duties;
- Loss of future earnings and employment benefits caused by prolonged or permanent disabilities;
- Costs of car repairs or reimbursement of the cash value of your vehicle if totaled in the accident.
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life.
In addition to compensation for your financial and personal losses, you might obtain an award of punitive damages in a DUI accident lawsuit. Punitive damages do not compensate you for any losses you've incurred but instead punish the drunk driver for especially reckless conduct.
Punitive damages also deter others from engaging in the same behavior as the drunk driver. Juries award punitive damages in rare cases, such as when a drunk driver with prior DUI convictions drinks an excessive amount of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
What Effects Does Alcohol Have on a Driver
Alcohol intoxication can impair a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle in various ways, leaving them with:
- Slower reactions
- Altered perception
- Impaired judgment
The combined effects of these impairments make a drunk driver less likely to anticipate or react to an upcoming hazard and more likely to make potentially fatal mistakes.
What Is the BAC Legal Limit in Florida
In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. A driver can also be charged with DUI if they have a BAC lower than 0.08 but are behaving in a way that suggests alcohol has impaired their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Commercial vehicle drivers have a lower BAC limit of 0.04 percent when operating a commercial vehicle. However, the law also states that someone with any alcohol in their body cannot drive a commercial vehicle.
Drivers under 21 may not have a BAC of 0.02 percent or more. A driver under 21 with a BAC of 0.02 percent or more but less than 0.08 will not face a criminal DUI charge. However, the driver will have their license suspended for six months for a first offense or one year for a subsequent offense. If the driver had a BAC of 0.05 percent or more, they must also complete a DUI education program before they can reinstate their license.
How Do I Prove the Drunk Driver Was at Fault for the Accident
Although the other driver’s intoxication may clearly make them negligent, you may still need to prove that the drunk driver’s actions caused the crash for your accident claim. Doing so will require evidence like:
- Police arrest or conviction records;
- Results of blood, breath, or urine testing;
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage;
- Police dashcam or bodycam footage;
- Bar or restaurant receipts;
- Eyewitness testimony regarding the driver’s behavior or appearance.
Evidence you might use to prove that the drunk driver caused the accident through other negligent behavior, such as speeding or making an unsafe lane change, includes:
- Police crash reports;
- Witness testimony;
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage of the crash;
- Event data recorder (“black box”) logs from the vehicles;
- Accident scene photos and videos;
- Accident reconstruction expert reports and testimony.
Multiple Avenues for Compensation After a Spring Hill DUI Accident
A drunk driving crash often opens more than one path to financial recovery. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may come from:
- The at-fault driver's auto insurance policy.
- Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if the drunk driver carried little or no insurance.
- A dram shop claim against a bar or restaurant that knowingly served alcohol to a minor or to someone habitually addicted to alcohol, under Florida Statute § 768.125.
- Restitution ordered as part of the drunk driver's criminal case.
- Punitive damages, if the drunk driver's actions go beyond ordinary negligence.
Our firm reviews every possible source of recovery before we file your claim, so insurance companies can't quietly close off an avenue you didn't know you had.
How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Lawsuit Against the Drunk Driver?
Under Florida’s statute of limitations on auto accident cases, you typically have two years after a DUI accident to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver responsible for the crash. However, you should speak to a Spring Hill DUI accident lawyer from Zervos & Calta, PLLC as soon as possible, so you don't miss your filing deadline. If you file your claim after the deadline, you may lose your right to seek financial compensation from the intoxicated driver.
The Legal Team Behind Your DUI Case
"Insurance companies have teams of lawyers. You deserve an attorney who knows your name and fights just as hard for you."Angela Zervos
With 20+ years of undefeated litigation experience, Angela delivers aggressive advocacy and genuine care for every client.
"Our clients aren't case numbers. They're our neighbors who need someone who genuinely cares about their recovery."Lauren Calta
With 30 years of courtroom experience, Lauren blends fierce representation with compassion and clear communication.
What Makes Our DUI Attorneys Different
Proven Trial Experience
Six decades of combined litigation success in Florida courts with an undefeated courtroom record spanning 20+ years.
Direct Attorney Involvement
Personal representation from Angela Zervos or Lauren Calta throughout your personal injury case, with no delegation to associates or paralegals.
Contingency Fee Basis
Zero upfront costs or retainer fees; our legal team only receives payment when you successfully recover compensation through settlement or verdict.
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Serving Spring Hill & Hernando County
Visit our convenient Spring Hill office location, positioned to serve injured residents throughout Hernando County.
Spring Hill Office
Your Recovery Comes First. Let Us Handle the Rest.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you deserve financial recovery and justice for your harm and loss. Contact Zervos & Calta, PLLC today for a free consultation to discuss how a Spring Hill DUI accident lawyer from our firm can fight to get you every dollar of compensation you're owed.