Orlando is known for its theme parks, attractions, and busy roadways. With millions of tourists visiting every year, traffic in the area is heavy and unpredictable. Unfortunately, this environment also sees its share of drunk driving crashes. Whether on I-4, International Drive, or near the resorts in Lake Buena Vista, impaired drivers continue to cause devastating injuries and fatalities.
If you or a loved one was harmed in a DUI crash, you may be considering filing an Orlando drunk driving victim lawsuit. Florida law allows victims and their families to seek compensation in civil court, independent of the drunk driver’s criminal case. These lawsuits may provide financial support for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional harm while also holding reckless drivers accountable.
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin can handle drunk driving accident cases across Central Florida. For a free consultation, call 800-337-7755. You won’t pay any fees or costs unless money is recovered for you.
How a Civil Lawsuit Differs from Criminal DUI Charges
After a crash involving an impaired driver, two separate legal processes may unfold:
- Criminal DUI case – The State of Florida prosecutes the drunk driver for breaking the law. Penalties may include jail, probation, license suspension, or fines. Victims are often notified of hearings but rarely compensated directly.
- Civil lawsuit – The injured person (or the estate of someone killed in the crash) brings a lawsuit seeking financial compensation. This case is about helping victims recover, not about punishment. It can move forward regardless of what happens in the criminal case.
Who Can File a DUI Victim Lawsuit in Orlando?
- Injured victims – Any person hurt in the crash, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
- Families of deceased victims – Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, the estate’s personal representative can file a claim for the benefit of surviving family members.
Compensation Available
Damages in an Orlando drunk driving victim lawsuit may include:
- Medical expenses – Hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, and future care needs.
- Lost wages – Income lost during recovery, as well as diminished future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
- Property damage – Repair or replacement of vehicles or other personal property.
- Wrongful death damages – Funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support if the crash is fatal.
- Punitive damages – In cases of extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving, Florida law may allow punitive damages to punish the driver and deter others.
Why Hire Victim’s Rights Attorney Jason Turchin for Your Orlando DUI Case?
A drunk driving crash is not a standard car accident – it is a violent, preventable crime. While general personal injury lawyers may only file insurance claims, you may need an advocate who understands the intersection of the Florida criminal justice system and the civil courts.
Victim’s Rights Attorney Jason Turchin brings decades of aggressive litigation experience to the table. When you hire our firm to handle your Orlando DUI injury or wrongful death claim, you gain a team with unique experience:
- Nationally Recognized Victim’s Advocacy: We don’t just fight insurance companies; we fight for crime victims. We can try to coordinate with the State Attorney’s Office in Orange and Osceola counties to track the criminal DUI case and use police evidence (like breathalyzer results, bodycam footage, and field sobriety tests) to strengthen your civil lawsuit.
- Uncapped Punitive Damages: In a normal Florida car accident, compensation is designed to cover your bills. Because DUI is a reckless crime, Florida law (F.S. 768.736) removes the financial caps on Punitive Damages. We can pursue these damages to punish the drunk driver and maximize your financial recovery.
- Orlando Dram Shop Liability (F.S. 768.125): Orlando has a massive nightlife and hospitality industry. If a local bar, resort, or nightclub knowingly served alcohol to a minor or a habitually addicted person who then caused your crash, we can pursue a dram shop claim against the bar. Evidence including bar tabs, receipts, and surveillance video can help us hold the corporate establishment financially liable.
- Probate Team: If a drunk driver tragically caused the loss of a loved one, Florida law requires an estate to be opened before a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed. Our firm works with probate attorneys who can open the estate in the Orange County probate courts.
- AV Preeminent® Rated: Jason Turchin has earned the highest possible peer-review rating for legal ability and ethical standards from Martindale-Hubbell.
- Over 6,500 Cases Handled: We have the financial resources and litigation experience to take on major auto insurance carriers like GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, and Allstate, and we are not afraid to take them to trial if they refuse to offer a fair settlement.
We handle all Orlando drunk driving victim lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means we advance all the costs for investigators and experts, and you pay absolutely no attorney’s fees or costs unless we successfully secure compensation for you.
👉 Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 for a free, fully confidential consultation.
Insurance Coverage in DUI Crashes
Even with clear liability, recovering compensation often depends on available insurance:
- The drunk driver’s policy – May provide some coverage, but many impaired drivers carry minimal limits.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage – Victims may rely on their own UM policy if the drunk driver’s insurance is inadequate.
- Dram Shop claims – In limited cases, bars or restaurants that served alcohol unlawfully (such as to a minor) may share liability.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations
Most drunk driving personal injury claims in Florida must be filed within two years of the crash. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year deadline. Because DUI crashes often involve extensive investigations, it is important to act quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Why DUI Civil Lawsuits in Orlando Can Be Complex
- Punitive damages often require strong evidence and careful presentation.
- UM claims may be contested by your own insurer, even though you pay premiums for the coverage.
- Tourism factor – Many victims are visitors from out of state, which can create added challenges with follow-up medical care, court appearances, and jurisdiction.
- Probate procedures – Wrongful death cases require a personal representative appointed through probate court.
How a DUI Victim Lawyer May Help
An Orlando drunk driving victim lawyer may:
- Collect police reports, toxicology results, and crash data
- Preserve surveillance video, 911 calls, and witness testimony
- Work with medical experts to document the extent of injuries
- Identify all available sources of insurance coverage
- File lawsuits in Orange County Circuit Court or federal court when appropriate
Final Thoughts
A drunk driving crash in Orlando can leave victims and families facing years of recovery and financial strain. While criminal charges may punish the offender, a civil lawsuit can be the path to compensation and accountability.
At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we can represent drunk driving accident victims across Central Florida. If you or a loved one has been affected, call 800-337-7755 or use our live chat for a free consultation. You won’t pay any fees or costs unless money is recovered.