How a DUI Accident Settlement Is Calculated
If you have been injured by a drunk driver in Florida, you may be facing a number of expenses. First of all, you may have serious injuries that require expensive treatments. Secondly, you may face months or even years of missed wages. Perhaps your injuries are so serious that you will never work again. In addition, you may be struggling with emotional distress, psychological trauma, and other non-economic damages. So how does this all factor into your compensation, and how is a DUI accident settlement calculated in Florida?
Economic Damages
To determine how much your settlement might be worth, you first need to add up your total economic damages. You can start by calculating your medical expenses. This should be relatively easy, as you can simply refer to your medical receipts and records.
Next, you should consider your missed wages. This is also relatively straightforward, as you can simply add up the total days of work that you missed and multiply that by your average daily wage. Things may get a little more complicated if you stand to miss work in the future. For example, you might have suffered a disabling injury that prevents you from ever working again. In this situation, you would need to figure out how much money you would’ve earned over your entire lifetime. A qualified personal injury attorney can help you make these calculations.
Aside from medical expenses and missed wages, virtually any out-of-pocket expense that you incurred as a direct result of your accident can be factored into your settlement. This includes funeral expenses if you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased family member.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include things like:
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Pain & Suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These are emotional and psychological damages that cannot be quantified in dollar amounts. Nevertheless, they represent very real losses for victims of drunk drivers, and in many cases, they represent the worst aspects of an accident.
The Pain & Suffering Multiplier
In order to help quantify and calculate the value of non-economic damages, you may need to use the “pain & suffering multiplier” method. This involves assigning a numerical value to your non-economic damages — usually on a scale from 1-4. This number — known as the “pain & suffering multiplier” — is then multiplied by your total economic damages to leave you with your total settlement amount.
Punitive Damages
In addition, you may receive compensation for punitive damages if the drunk driver’s actions were especially reckless and heinous in nature — showing a complete disregard for other people’s safety.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Fort Walton Beach?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Fort Walton Beach, look no further than Browning Law Firm, P.A. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs — including those who have been harmed by negligent drunk drivers. With our assistance, you can strive for a fair settlement amount that adequately reflects your total damages. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.
Sources
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/pain_and_suffering
- https://www.facs.org/advocacy/federal-legislation/liability/guide-to-liability-reform/ending-the-confusion/#:~:text=Economic%20damages%20refers%20to%20compensation,of%20employment%20or%20business%20opportunities.
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Browning Law Firm, P.A.
418 Racetrack Rd NE, Ste B
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
850-344-1736
If you have further questions about this article or legal concerns call 800-672-3103
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