Can I Be Sued For Car Accident Damages If I Am Caught Drunk Driving
Reader’s Question:
I’m an 18-year-old student in Florida, and I rammed into a car the other night. The man behind the wheel says he will sue me for physical injuries and damages to his car because I was drunk and driving, and even get my license revoked. Can he really do this?
Allen
Tampa, FL
My goodness me, Allen, you are in a very tight situation, I must say. Let me try to put sense into everything that is happening to you right now. You rammed into a car and the man behind the wheel says he will sue you for physical injuries and damages to his car because you were driving under the influence (or what we commonly call DUI). You ask if he can legally do this. I say no. It actually depends on what state you are in, as the law could differ from state to state. But your angels must have been smiling down on you that night of the accident because you are from Florida. Because you see, the state of Florida follows a no-fault car insurance system. And because of this, you are spared of any legal and financial responsibilities to the other driver. Whether or not you are the liable party, the other car’s insurance coverage will have to pay for whatever damage to property and medical expenses there may be. Then we come to your other question. He wants to have your license revoked because you were driving under the influence. As for revoking your license, none of us can tell, not even the man whose car you rammed your car into. It will be the discretion of the police and the officials of Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety. Most definitely, you will be required to carry an SR-22. But the fate of your driver’s license? You just have to keep your fingers crossed.
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