California DUI Accident Victim Lawyer
Driving under the influence is a negligent act. Any driver who becomes intoxicated and chooses to drive a vehicle puts every other driver on the road at risk of injury or even death.
With the infamous heavy traffic in Los Angeles, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a surefire way to cause a serious accident.
There is a high incidence of traffic accidents occurring as the result of a drunk driver. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows down a person's central nervous system functioning and creates many different impairments that can affect safe driving abilities.
Unfortunately, despite knowing the serious risks of drunk or drugged driving, millions of people continue to get behind the wheel while impaired and cause serious injuries and even death to thousands of people each year in the United States.
While the Los Angeles County criminal court system will typically punish a drunk driver who caused the accident, it does little to compensate victims of DUI accidents the driver caused.
Suffering an injury in an accident due to someone's negligent or illegal behavior can quickly change your life. You may find yourself physically unable to work or even care for yourself. You can quickly become overwhelmed with medical bills on top of your regular monthly bills.
You may find yourself needing ongoing medical care and rehabilitation to try to have a normal life again. Our personal injury attorneys at Injury Justice Law Firm LLP can help you obtain maximum compensation from those responsible for your injuries, which can help you get your life back on track. We have a track record of success in obtaining substantial damage awards for many victims.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a drunk driver, you have the right to hold that driver responsible for your injuries and losses. We have the legal knowledge and experience to represent drunk driving accident victims and seek the maximum amount to which you are entitled under California law.
Please do not wait to call us if your life has been changed by an impaired driver. We will aggressively pursue compensation for your injuries.
The Dangers of Impaired Driving
Driving a motor vehicle while impaired or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can produce some or all of the following effects:
- Impaired state of mind
- Altered depth perception
- Blurred vision
- Slowed reaction time
- Impaired judgment
- Lessened focus and concentration
- Impaired awareness of surroundings
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in some or all of the following consequences:
- Rear-end motor vehicle collisions (often resulting in multi-vehicle, chain reaction collisions)
- Collisions with pedestrians (especially at intersections, on curbs, or concrete medians)
- High-speed collisions with other vehicles, often head-on crashes
- Collisions with motorcyclists or bicyclists that the impaired driving did not notice
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable
After an accident, law enforcement officers often will place a suspected drunk or drugged driver under arrest. This can then lead to a criminal case against the driver and, if they are convicted, they may have to pay fines, have their license suspended, or even spend time in jail.
While a criminal case imposes penalties on the driver, it often does little to compensate victims that the driver injured in a crash. Our attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve from the liable driver in a case that is separate from the criminal proceedings.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, it may be possible to receive an insurance settlement from the drunk driver's insurance company that is adequate to cover your losses. The civil court system in California allows victims to recover financial compensation for the injuries and other damages caused by a drunk driver.
We can pursue a claim to obtain financial compensation for your DUI injuries, lost wages from work, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage. If the driver responsible for the crash was legally intoxicated, our attorneys can also pursue punitive damages for the injured victim.
Punitive or exemplary damages can greatly increase the amount of compensation a victim could receive.
The purpose of these types of civil damages is to financially punish responsible drivers and make an example of an under the influence driver who caused the collision.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
If you are the victim in a driving under the influence accident, don't speak with an insurance adjuster without first consulting an injury lawyer at our law firm.
It's critical to remember the goal of the insurance company is to pay you the least possible amount of financial compensation. It's not uncommon for insurance representatives to encourage you to agree to a quick and cheap settlement offer.
Our law firm will negotiate with the insurance adjuster and present evidence of liability on the part of the insured driver to seek to resolve the case in this manner whenever possible.
In some cases, it is necessary to move the case to civil court to recover the full amount you deserve for your losses. While this case is separate from the criminal charges faced by the driver, a DUI conviction can make proving your injury claims significantly easier.
We know how to utilize criminal convictions to obtain a favorable result as efficiently as possible.
Recovering for Your Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Drunk driving accidents are likely to cause serious injuries and damages to innocent accident victims. Some of the most common injuries caused by drunk drivers in crashes include the following:
- Soft tissue injuries (especially to the neck and back)
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Facial and skull fractures
- Internal hemorrhaging
- Injury to internal organs
- Amputation injury,
- Herniated disc injury
The above injuries require proper medical diagnosis and sometimes an extensive course of treatment. Injured plaintiffs in drunk driving car accident cases often incur substantial losses and may be able to recover for some or all of the following types of damages as part of their recovery:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Costs of future treatment
- Future lost earning power
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Permanent disfigurement
- Mental and emotional injuries
- Wrongful death
Contact Us for a Case Review
We are dedicated to helping clients recover the maximum amount of financial compensation and will work to protect their rights and pursue your best interests, not the insurance company.
We can relieve you of the heavy burden of dealing with an uncooperative insurance company while you can put your focus on recovering from your injuries.
Anyone who has sustained injuries due to a drunk driver should seek skilled legal representation as soon as possible. Our personal injury lawyers have proven their commitment to standing up for the rights of impaired driving accident victims and we will seek the maximum amount of compensation available in your situation.
We are skilled negotiators who will aggressively work to achieve a full and fair settlement. However, if the opposition party is not willing to make a reasonable offer, our trial lawyers are certainly willing to litigate the personal injury matter in court to obtain fair compensation for you.
Consultations are always free and we will advise you of your legal rights and options and pursue financial recovery whenever possible. Please do not hesitate to call our office or contact us online today for help.
Related Content: