Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Delray Beach

Personal Legal Guidance After A Preventable Crash

When a drunk driver causes a crash, the injuries and losses that follow are often life-changing. You may be trying to recover, support a loved one, or grieve a loss, all while dealing with hospitals and insurance companies. At Samuel M. Yaffa P.A., we help people in Delray Beach and nearby communities after serious drunk driving collisions.

Our firm is a boutique, family-oriented practice led by attorney Samuel M. Yaffa. For more than two decades, we have represented individuals and families in complex injury cases, including crashes caused by impaired drivers. 

Make the drunk driver pay for the damage. Call Samuel M. Yaffa P.A. at (561) 786-3056 now or send us a message for a free Delray Beach case review. Deadlines are short, and we move immediately.

Why Injured Families Turn To Our Firm

After a drunk driving crash, many people want two things. They want accountability for what happened and a lawyer who will listen to their story. At our office, your case is not passed down a line of case managers. You work directly with our attorney, Samuel M. Yaffa, from the beginning of your case through its resolution.

Because we are a boutique practice, we can be selective about the matters we accept. This allows us to spend the time needed to understand how the crash has affected your health, your work, and your family life. It also allows us to prepare your claim carefully instead of treating it as one more file in a stack.

Clients come to us not only for legal knowledge, but also for personal attention. We take the time to explain each stage of the process, discuss important decisions with you, and keep you updated when there are developments in your case. When questions arise about treatment, insurance, or paperwork, you have a direct point of contact who knows your file and your goals.

Our work in injury law for more than twenty years has shown us that a serious drunk driving crash affects far more than just medical bills. We look at the full picture, including lost income, changes in daily activities, and the emotional strain that comes with being harmed by another person’s reckless choice to drive impaired. That broader view helps us present a more complete account of what you have lost.

What To Do After A Drunk Driving Crash

The hours and days after a drunk driving collision are often confusing. You might be in pain, juggling calls from insurers, and unsure what matters most right now. While every situation is different, there are some steps that can help protect both your health and any future claim.

Your safety and medical care come first. If you have not already done so, seek prompt evaluation from a medical professional, even if your symptoms seem minor. Some injuries, including head or soft tissue injuries, may not show their full effect right away. Timely treatment is important for your recovery and for documenting the connection between the crash and your condition.

Law enforcement response is also important in a suspected DUI crash. When you call 911, tell the dispatcher if you believe the other driver may be impaired. Officers typically prepare a report and can perform or request sobriety or chemical testing. That documentation can become an important piece of evidence in a later civil case.

If you are safely able to do so, collect information at the scene and in the days that follow. This can include photos of the vehicles and roadway, names and contact details for witnesses, and the other driver’s insurance and license information. Ask how you can obtain the police report, and keep copies of any discharge papers or treatment records you receive.

Communication with insurance companies should be handled with care. You may be contacted by adjusters for your insurer or the impaired driver’s insurer very quickly. Their questions may seem routine, but recorded statements and early settlement offers can affect your rights. Many people choose to speak with a lawyer before giving detailed statements or accepting any offer.

If you have been hurt in a drunk driving crash, some immediate steps can help protect your well-being and your claim:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel you can push through the pain.
• Request the incident number from responding officers so you can obtain the police report later.
• Preserve photos, contact information, and any documents you receive from hospitals or insurers.
• Avoid discussing fault with adjusters until you have had the chance to talk with an attorney.
• Reach out to a lawyer who understands drunk driving cases to review your options.

At our firm, we talk with you about what has already happened, what steps you have taken, and how we can help you move forward in a way that fits your situation.

How We Handle Drunk Driving Claims

One of the most common questions we hear is how a civil injury case fits with the criminal DUI process. In Florida, these are separate matters. Prosecutors decide whether to file criminal charges against the impaired driver. A civil claim is your opportunity to seek compensation for the harm you and your family have suffered.

As a drunk driving accident lawyer, Delray Beach victims can turn to, we start by reviewing the facts with you. This typically includes going over any police report, your medical records, photos, and witness information. We look at how the crash happened, the role impairment appears to have played, and what insurance coverage may be available. From there, we can discuss possible paths for your claim.

In a civil case arising from a drunk driving crash, financial recovery can include several categories, depending on the facts. These may involve medical expenses, future treatment needs, lost wages or reduced earning capacity, and the pain and disruption a serious injury causes in daily life. In some drunk driving cases, Florida law may allow the pursuit of additional damages meant to punish particularly reckless conduct, although availability depends on the individual case.

Our office prepares claims with the understanding that insurance companies often scrutinize drunk driving cases closely. We work to gather records that show the full extent of your injuries and losses and to present them in an organized way. When insurers contact you with questions, we can handle those communications on your behalf, so you are not left to navigate complex requests alone.

Throughout the process, communication is central. We talk with you about important decisions, such as how to respond to settlement offers or whether to file a lawsuit in the appropriate court. Timelines can vary based on factors like the severity of injuries, the length of medical treatment, and court schedules, so we keep you informed as your case develops and explain what each step means.

Our goal is to guide you through the legal process with as little added stress as possible. We cannot change what the impaired driver chose to do, but we can work to hold that person and their insurer financially responsible for the harm they caused.

Drunk Driving Injuries & Local Impact

Crashes involving drunk drivers often lead to serious injuries because impaired drivers may speed, drift from their lane, or fail to brake in time. For people in smaller vehicles, this can mean head trauma, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, and significant soft tissue damage. The physical pain is often accompanied by anxiety, sleep problems, or a loss of confidence behind the wheel.

These injuries can change daily life in ways that do not always appear in a medical bill. You may be unable to work, care for children, enjoy hobbies, or manage household responsibilities. Family members may need to take time away from their own jobs or routines to help. When a drunk driving crash leads to a fatality, the impact on a family’s emotional and financial stability can be profound.

In and around Delray Beach, serious crashes can occur on busy routes such as Interstate 95 and Atlantic Avenue, especially at night or on weekends. When a collision caused by an impaired driver results in injuries, civil cases that arise from these events may be brought in the Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Our firm is familiar with practicing in this court system and with many of the medical providers that residents use for treatment.

We work with clients to document not just diagnoses, but also how injuries affect work, relationships, and day-to-day tasks. This can include keeping track of missed time from employment, changes to household roles, and activities you can no longer perform or enjoy. Presenting this fuller picture helps explain why fair compensation matters so much after a drunk driving crash.

Throughout your case, we remain focused on what recovery means for you. For some people, that is the ability to afford ongoing care. For others, it is financial stability after a period of lost income or the sense that the impaired driver has been held accountable in a meaningful way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a case if the driver was already arrested for DUI?

Yes, a criminal DUI case and a civil injury claim are separate. The arrest and any conviction can provide useful evidence, but they do not automatically determine your civil recovery. We review the facts, your injuries, and available insurance to evaluate your potential claim.

Will I work directly with Mr. Yaffa on my case?

Yes, our firm is built around direct attorney involvement. When you hire us, your case is handled by Samuel M. Yaffa rather than a rotating group of case managers. Many clients find that this personal access helps them feel informed and supported.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

In injury matters, clients typically do not pay upfront fees. Our compensation is usually based on a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you, plus agreed case costs. We explain our fee structure in detail during your consultation so you understand it before making any decision.

How long do drunk driving injury cases usually take?

Timeframes vary. Factors include how long your medical treatment lasts, how quickly insurers respond, and whether a lawsuit is filed. Some cases resolve in months, while others take longer. We discuss likely timelines once we understand your specific circumstances.

What should I bring to our first meeting?

If you can, bring any police reports or incident numbers, medical records or discharge papers, photos, and insurance information. If you do not have everything yet, that is fine. We can start with what you remember about the crash and help you gather the remaining documents.

Talk With Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

After a collision caused by a drunk driver, you should not have to figure out the legal system and insurance issues on your own. Speaking with a drunk driving accident attorney, Delray Beach residents can trust gives you the chance to ask questions, understand your options, and decide what makes sense for your family.

When you contact Samuel M. Yaffa P.A., you can discuss your situation directly with Samuel M. Yaffa. You will hear how our more than two decades in personal injury law, our selective case approach, and our commitment to communication can apply to your circumstances. We explain our fees in clear terms, including that injury clients typically do not pay upfront costs and that our compensation is usually tied to the outcome of the case.

Your first conversation with us is an opportunity to share what happened in your own words and to get straightforward feedback about possible next steps. There is no obligation to move forward, and any information you share is kept confidential.

To speak with our firm about a drunk driving crash in Delray Beach or the surrounding area, call (561) 786-3056.