DUI Accident Lawyer Winter Haven, FL
Justice After a DUI Crash
Multimillion-Dollar Victories for DUI Crash Victims
Relentless in Court
Decades of Fighting for Polk County Families
No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
Standing Strong with Winter Haven
Winter Haven is more than a place on the map; it’s where members of our team, as well as their friends and loved ones, call home. We know the unique challenges this community faces when it comes to drunk driving accidents. From the late-night traffic that cuts through our city, to limited public transit that leaves too many people choosing to drive impaired, the risks here are real. Add in our steady stream of tourists, and Polk County families are often left to pay the price for someone else’s reckless decision.
For decades, Moody Law has stood with our neighbors, taking on the drivers and insurers who try to escape accountability. We’ve built a track record of life-changing victories because we care deeply about the people we serve. If you or someone you love has been harmed in a DUI crash, know this: we are here, we understand, and we are ready to fight for you.
Victims Can Count on Us
"My husband and I were in a car accident. Drew Moody and his staff were all professional, accommodating, easy to communicate with and gave clear explanations with details. We were pleased with their work and would highly recommend them." — Kim, 5-Star Review
A $700k DUI Accident Victory We Don't Let the Defense Shift Blame
In DUI cases, defense teams often try to twist the facts to protect negligent drivers. They may argue that the victim contributed to the crash or downplay the impact of reckless behavior. At Moody Law, we refuse to let those tactics stand.
One tragic case involved a teenage girl who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while walking near the roadway. The defense tried to blame her death on the fact that she was walking against traffic. Our attorneys pushed back, exposing the truth: it was the driver’s reckless choice to drink and drive that caused the tragedy. The jury agreed, awarding the family $700,000 in damages.
This case is just one example of how we fight relentlessly for justice. No matter how the defense tries to shift blame, Moody Law keeps the focus where it belongs. Count on us to protect victims and hold drunk drivers accountable.
What Moody Law Provides To DUI Crash Victims in Winter Haven
When someone drives drunk, they put every motorist, rider, and pedestrian at risk of devastating harm. If you or a loved one were injured in a DUI crash in Winter Haven, Moody Law can hold the negligent driver accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve. When you choose to work with us, this is what you can expect:
The team at our law firm includes professional investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and forensics specialists who can gather the evidence necessary to determine how the drunk driver caused your accident.
We can aggressively pursue a civil case against the driver accused of DUI to recover the damages you deserve. A settlement can cover current and future medical bills, lost wages, and property damages.
Some opponents won't settle for what victims deserve. We will take your DUI accident case to trial if that’s what it takes to get maximum compensation. Our record proves we know how to win when it matters most.
Laws Have Changed & They Will Affect Your Case
In March of 2023, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed into law House Bill (HB) 837. This legislation caused sweeping changes to crucial areas that affect car accident cases. Especially notable alterations were made to laws pertaining to statute of limitations and comparative negligence.
Statute of Limitations
Statute of limitations laws set hard deadlines for when lawsuits must be filed. Missing your deadline very likely causes you to forfeit any possibility of compensation from your DUI accident case.
Florida used to have a four year statute of limitations for general negligence cases, like auto accidents. The new legislation cut the deadline in half. You now have just two years from the date of your DUI accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death statute is still two years from the date of your loved one's passing.
Comparative Negligence
Florida used to operate under pure comparative negligence law. This standard allowed plaintiffs to pursue compensation even if they were the primary cause of their accident.
HB 837 has changed our state to the use of the modified comparative negligence framework. Modified comparative negligence bars plaintiffs from any financial recovery if they are found to be the main factor in causing their accident. Florida's new implementation of this system makes it even more important that DUI accident victims retain lawyers who know how to use evidence to prove their client was not the primary cause of their crash.
Moody Law ensures your case is filed before critical deadlines expire, and we fight back when defense teams try to shift blame and deny you the justice you deserve.
We're Known in Law
In 2023, Moody Law was ranked as AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®. This is the organization's highest peer rating possible and is only given to firms that other lawyers designate as having elite legal knowledge, ethics, and skill.
Start Your Case Today
Our law firm is truly committed to helping DUI accident victims. The Moody family has been in Florida for generations. Our deep roots here inspire us to treat each client like the longstanding neighbor they truly are. If you are unable to make it to our Lakeland, Barstow, or Tampa offices, we will come to you at home or in the hospital to discuss your case.
Our attorneys have repeatedly won multi-million dollar cases for accident victims, including in DUI crashes. We encourage anyone in Winter Haven or Lakeland who has been harmed by a drunk driver to call or write to request a free consultation with us.
“First-class.”
"Moody Law handled my case in a totally Professional manner. They explained everything and laid out the process in a clear/concise manner. They were always available to answer any questions. Would highly recommend Moody Law to anyone who wants First Class service." — Phil, 5-Star Review
Compensation for Your Losses Is Our Primary Focus
If you or a loved one have been in a car accident with a drunk driver, you have a right to pursue a number of damages including property and punitive damages in a civil suit. Other types of damages our Lakeland and Winter Haven, FL, clients can pursue include:
Physical Injuries
Any type of injury sustained in an accident with a drunk driver, no matter how seemingly minor at the time, can have a lasting impact. Not all long-term injuries are evident right away so our lawyers will take care to evaluate the ongoing effects of the drunk driving accident.
Medical Expenses
Any medical bills associated with your car accident, including future expenses related to an injury sustained in the incident, are the responsibility of the drunk driver. Your attorney will include all medical treatment that resulted from your injury in your claim so that you can fully recover.
Pain and Suffering
A severe injury caused by a drunk driver can cause lasting pain that may take a long time to subside. In some cases, it may never go away. Part of achieving just compensation for our clients is to be sure the pain and suffering you have endured, whether physical or emotional, is accounted for in your DUI accident case.
Rehabilitation
When injuries require extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to get better, these associated expenses need to be factored into your overall settlement. Your lawyer will work with medical experts to determine fair compensation in order to cover any expenses related to rehabilitation.
Lost Wages
When injuries are severe enough to cause you to miss work, you may not be able to provide for yourself or your family. Our accident attorneys understand the stress involved in lost income when bills are due, and will work tirelessly to recover damages to cover any lost wages you have suffered.
Loss of Earning Capacity
In some cases, injuries sustained in an accident with a drunk driver are so severe, the victim is permanently unable to return to work. In such cases, our law firm will build a case that can cover a lifetime of lost wages.
Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases
The types of compensation described above are all forms of compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are the standard form of compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. These are awarded to directly compensate an injured party for their losses.
In rare cases, a defendant may be forced to pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded if it is proven in court that the defendant committed intentional misconduct or was egregiously negligent. Drunk driving that leads to a harmful accident is oftentimes a clear example of behavior that can make someone liable for punitive damages.
In Florida, punitive damages can be up to three times as high as the compensatory damages a plaintiff is awarded in a DUI accident case. Our injury lawyers have successfully obtained significant punitive damages in DUI cases.
We'll Help You Take Action Request Your Free Consultation
A drunk driver can face misdemeanor or felony criminal charges for their behavior. Sometimes, a case that seems like it would certainly end in a gratifying conviction only results in reduced charges or even outright dismissal.
A lack of a criminal conviction can feel devastating to families who want justice for the harm a drunk driver caused to them. Unfortunately, this scenario is possible because criminal cases require proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
On the other hand, civil cases like the ones Moody Law handles require a lower standard of proof. That means our lawyers only have to prove that more likely than not the drunk driver is responsible for your harm. This lets us win major compensation in seemingly murky cases. Our attorneys can handle your civil DUI accident case at the same time as the criminal case unfolds. We can even begin a civil case after the criminal case ends as long as your statute of limitations has not passed.
“Amazing.”
"Just closed my case with Moody law. Have to say that I’m glad my brother sent me to them. They handled everything it was amazing. Debbie was the greatest! She helped me through the whole process. For my first time going through this they definitely exceeded my expectations." — Daniel, 5-Star Review
Florida Dram Shop Law
Statute 768.125 generally shields alcohol vendors from liability when an intoxicated person causes harm. However, there are two key exceptions:
- Serving a Minor: If alcohol is willfully and unlawfully sold or furnished to someone under 21, the provider can be held responsible.
- Serving the Habitually Addicted: If alcohol is knowingly given to someone who is habitually addicted to drinking, the provider may also be held liable.
Moody Law can investigate whether dram shop liability applies to your DUI accident.
“My go-to firm.”
"As a first timer ever involved in any kind of car accident, I did not know what to do. My sister-in-law recommended Moody Law. She knew of his reputation from her time working at the sheriff's office. The attention to detail and the simplest of nuances left me impressed. If I ever need a lawyer in the future, they will be my go-to firm. If I need to refer someone, they will be the firm I refer." — Esperanza, 5-Star Review
