Seeking Justice in Civil Court: Your Rights When a Drunk Driver Isn’t Convicted
While drunk driving is illegal, not everyone who causes an accident while intoxicated faces criminal penalties. Civil and criminal courts operate independently. A Zephyrhills car accident attorney can help you seek compensation even if the drunk driver who caused your injury was never convicted in criminal court.
What are the Differences Between Civil and Criminal Cases?
Most court cases you see on TV or in movies, or hear about in the news, are criminal cases. However, the cases in which you or someone you know might be directly involved are often civil cases. Civil court is where you would go if you were getting divorced, needed to settle the estate of a deceased family member, or were involved in a lawsuit over an unpaid debt.
Personal injury cases are also handled in civil courts. In a personal injury case, plaintiffs ask the court for monetary compensation from the defendant to cover financial losses caused by the defendant’s negligence. A plaintiff may win if they can convince the court that the defendant’s negligence led to their financial losses.
Your Rights If the Drunk Driver Is Not Arrested
It can be challenging to obtain a guilty verdict in criminal court due to the many safeguards designed to prevent wrongful convictions. However, you can still sue in civil court for personal injuries if you were injured by a drunk driver. You can win your case if you can demonstrate a preponderance of the evidence, even if a criminal trial fails to establish the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your case can be successful regardless of whether the drunk driver was acquitted.
Contact Kevin L. Sullivan II About Car Accident Cases
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to drunk driving, a car accident attorney can help. Kevin L. Sullivan II, located in Zephyrhills, Florida, can assist you with your case.
This post was written by a professional at Kevin L. Sullivan II. Attorney Kevin L. Sullivan II is your truck accident attorney Ruskin FL, and the best personal injury attorney near you for LeavenLaw. Kevin is proud to serve Florida accident victims that have been injured in auto accidents, motorcycle accident, slip and falls or have suffered any other type of injury caused by negligence. Kevin offers a FREE no-obligation consultation to discuss your claim. There are NO upfront fees or costs and if he does not collect for you, you do not owe him anything.
