The Altman Law Firm helps victims of alcohol-related accidents in Miami seek justice and fair compensation for their injuries.
Free consultation: (305) 373-3730.
The Altman Firm Difference defines our strict focus on catastrophic loss and wrongful death in alcohol-related accidents, leveraging our legacy since 1998 and Jeffrey S. Altman's status in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We do not operate as a general practice, focusing exclusively on high-leverage dram shop and drunk driving litigation.
Alcohol-related accidents cause devastating physical, emotional, and financial harm to victims and their families. When a driver chooses to operate a vehicle under the influence, their negligence can alter lives in an instant. At The Altman Law Firm, we understand the profound impact these preventable crashes have on our clients. Jeffrey S. Altman brings over 25 years of experience to representing injury victims in Miami and throughout Florida. We are dedicated to holding impaired drivers accountable for the damage they cause. Operating on a contingency-fee basis means we only collect fees if a recovery is made on your behalf. We focus on the legal complexities of your case so you can focus entirely on your physical recovery and well-being.
The process begins with a comprehensive, confidential consultation where we listen to your story and evaluate the circumstances of the crash. Next, we immediately launch an investigation to preserve crucial evidence before it disappears. This involves sending preservation letters, obtaining dashcam or surveillance footage, and securing official accident reports. Once the evidence is compiled, we file a formal claim with the responsible insurance companies and demand appropriate compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the insurers refuse to offer a fair resolution, we proceed with filing a lawsuit and navigate the discovery, mediation, and trial phases on your behalf.
Several Florida statutes govern alcohol-related accident claims. Under Fla. Stat. Section 95.11, there is a strict statute of limitations that dictates how long you have to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Florida also follows a comparative negligence system under Fla. Stat. Section 768.81, which means compensation can be apportioned based on each party's percentage of fault. Additionally, Florida's Dram Shop Act, found in Fla. Stat. Section 768.125, may allow victims to hold a bar or restaurant liable if they willfully and unlawfully sold alcohol to a minor or knowingly served a person habitually addicted to alcohol. The Florida Wrongful Death Act also provides a framework for families seeking justice for the loss of a loved one. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor does reading this page establish an attorney-client relationship.
Yes, but only under narrow circumstances governed by Florida’s Dram Shop Act (Fla. Stat. § 768.125). In Florida, vendors are generally not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. However, an injured person can pursue a claim against a commercial establishment if the vendor willfully and unlawfully sold alcohol to an underage person, or knowingly served alcohol to someone habitually addicted to alcohol. Proving habitual addiction or unlawful service requires specific evidence such as receipts, witness testimony, and surveillance footage. Jeffrey S. Altman and The Altman Law Firm investigate commercial alcohol liability to uncover all potential sources of financial recovery.
Your personal injury claim proceeds separately from the state’s criminal prosecution of the drunk driver. While the criminal case penalizes the driver with fines, probation, or jail time, your civil claim seeks financial recovery for medical bills and pain. Important factors include: 1. A criminal conviction can provide strong evidence of negligence per se in civil court. 2. Your civil action does not have to wait for criminal sentencing to begin investigation. 3. Criminal restitution rarely covers long-term medical care or catastrophic losses. Jeffrey S. Altman monitors criminal court proceedings while The Altman Law Firm actively builds your civil claim.
Yes, you can pursue compensation, but the driver’s insurer will likely argue comparative fault under Fla. Stat. § 768.81. If the insurance carrier shows you voluntarily entered the vehicle knowing the driver was intoxicated, they may claim you contributed to your injuries. Under Florida’s modified comparative fault law, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and you cannot recover damages if assigned more than 50% responsibility. Establishing whether you knew or should have known about the impairment requires careful factual examination. The Altman Law Firm defends injured passengers against unfair allegations of comparative fault to pursue full financial recovery.
Yes, but only under specific circumstances defined by Florida Statute § 768.125, known as the Dram Shop Act. In Florida, a vendor cannot be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated person unless the vendor willfully and unlawfully sold or furnished alcohol to an underage individual, or knowingly served alcohol to a person habitually addicted to alcohol. Establishing liability against a commercial establishment requires prompt investigation into receipts, eyewitness accounts, and surveillance footage. Jeffrey S. Altman and The Altman Law Firm analyze these factors to determine whether an alcohol vendor shares legal responsibility for a collision.
If you are hit by a suspected drunk driver, take these immediate actions to protect your health and legal rights: 1. Call 911 immediately and inform the dispatcher of suspected intoxication so law enforcement can conduct field sobriety tests. 2. Note signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, erratic behavior, or the smell of alcohol, without confronting the driver. 3. Photograph vehicle damage and the accident scene if safe. 4. Seek emergency medical care within 14 days to preserve PIP coverage under Fla. Stat. § 627.736. 5. Contact Jeffrey S. Altman at The Altman Law Firm to secure critical crash evidence.
Yes, victims injured by drunk drivers can often seek punitive damages under Florida law. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.736, statutory caps on punitive damages do not apply when the defendant was under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, or substantially impaired. While standard compensatory damages address medical bills and lost earnings, punitive damages are intended to punish gross misconduct and deter drunk driving. Pursuing punitive damages requires formal court approval based on an evidentiary showing. The Altman Law Firm investigates driver toxicology and police records to build the required evidentiary basis for punitive claims.
Yes. Florida courts recognize operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol as gross negligence. Under Florida Statute § 768.736, the statutory caps that typically limit punitive damage awards in standard civil cases do not apply when the at-fault driver was intoxicated with a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit or impaired by substances. Punitive damages are intended to punish intentional misconduct or gross negligence and deter future dangerous behavior. Claimants must obtain court approval by presenting preliminary evidence of the driver's intoxication, such as toxicology tests, chemical breath tests, or police incident reports.
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