DUI Accident Victim Lawsuit in California
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 a 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.
Our personal injury attorneys at Injury Justice Law Firm LLP have a proven track record of success in obtaining substantial damage awards for many victims. With our extensive experience and successful cases, you can trust that we understand the challenges you are facing and can help you obtain maximum compensation from those responsible for your injuries, which can help you get your life back on track.
If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, you have the legal right to hold that driver accountable for your injuries and losses. Our team has the legal knowledge and experience to represent victims of drunk driving accidents and seek the maximum compensation under California law.
Please do not wait to call us if an impaired driver has changed your life. We will aggressively pursue compensation for your injuries, fighting for your rights every step of the way. You are not alone in this, and we are here to support you.
What are 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 on concrete medians).
- High-speed collisions with other vehicles, often head-on crashes.
- Collisions with motorcyclists or bicyclists that the impaired driver did not notice.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable
After an accident, law enforcement officers often 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 civil claim to obtain financial compensation for your DUI injuries, lost wages from work, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage. This process involves filing a lawsuit against the responsible party, gathering evidence, and presenting your case in court. 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. These damages are not intended to cover the victim's losses, but rather to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior in the future. 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're the victim of a DUI accident, it's crucial not to speak with an insurance adjuster without first consulting an injury lawyer at our firm. Their goal is to pay you the least possible amount, so it's best to have legal representation to ensure you receive fair compensation.
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.
What are the Common Injuries?
Recovering from your drunk driving accident injuries after a DUI accident, the recovery process can be long and challenging. It's important to seek immediate medical attention and follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation. Our attorneys can help you navigate the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
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. They 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 our Personal Injury Lawyers for a Case Review
We are dedicated to helping clients recover the maximum amount of financial compensation and will work tirelessly to protect their rights and pursue your best interests, not the insurance company. Your well-being and justice are our top priorities.
We can relieve you of the heavy burden of dealing with an uncooperative insurance company so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Our experienced team knows how to handle insurance adjusters and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
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. 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, suppose the opposition party is not willing to make a reasonable offer. In that case, 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.
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