Long Beach DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
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Top-Rated Long Beach DUI Accident Lawyers Ensuring You Get Your Fair Compensation From Drunk Drivers
DUI traffic accidents happen far too frequently, with the ensuing emotional and physical trauma devastating the victims and their families. If you or a loved one got injured or killed in a DUI crash, you can recover financial compensation through the help of experienced Long Beach DUI accident lawyers. Call Arash Law today at (888) 488-1391 for a free no-obligation case evaluation.
Long Beach, California, is a coastline city located 20 miles from Los Angeles. More than 450,000 Californians make Long Beach their home. Being a hotspot for tourism and travel the bustling city also sees a significant number of traffic accidents every year, including those caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The legal team at Arash Law, founded by famous attorney Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has decades of experience helping injured Californians get the compensation they deserve after a DUI crash. We help victims and their families move forward with their lives. Our proven track record of success shows how we have recovered over $500 Million in awards and damages for our clients. So let us help you.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.
– ARASH KHORSANDI
How Dangerous Is it to Drive While Impaired in Long Beach?
It is always dangerous to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There is no way to make impaired driving safe, so it is important to avoid doing so at all costs. Driving while impaired can cause an accident that will leave another person and their family devastated.
In Long Beach, several roads are especially dangerous when drivers are under the influence of substances. All drivers should be aware of their surroundings and exercise caution when traveling on these roads:
- Long Beach Boulevard
- Anaheim Street
- Willow Street
- Cherry Avenue
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Interstate 710
- Interstate 405
Long Beach is a dangerous city for drunk driving accidents and does not seem to be getting safer. According to the Office of Traffic Safety, 333 victims, out of the 2874 total, were killed or injured in the city in 2020 due to drunk driving, leading to 543 DUI arrests. There are many risk factors particular to Long Beach, too. Drivers in the city tend to speed when driving, resulting in 308 fatal and injury crashes that same year.
Common Injuries from DUI Traffic Accidents
DUI traffic accidents can lead to severe injuries and death. Drunk drivers cause collisions typically more severe than those caused by sober drivers. Examples of common injuries DUI crash victims sustain include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Sprains and strains
- Burns
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
What Is Blood Alcohol Level?
The term “blood-alcohol level” refers to the concentration of alcohol in a driver’s blood. In California, a DUI is considered if a driver’s blood-alcohol level is at or above 0.08 percent.
Remember that drivers can get a DUI even if they are not consuming alcohol but are under the influence of drugs, either prescription or illegal. Drivers can also get a DUI if over-the-counter drugs compromise their ability to drive. That means if a driver takes medication that causes drowsiness, like cough medicine, and gets behind the wheel, they may be guilty of DUI and civilly liable for the injuries they may cause.
Do I Have to Take The Chemical Blood Alcohol Test if I Get Pulled Over?
If a driver is pulled over on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they must submit to a chemical blood-alcohol concentration test. The allegedly impaired driver must either submit to a breath or blood test when asked to do so. Refusal to take the test usually ends with the driver having their license suspended.
What Should I Do After A DUI Traffic Accident?
As a DUI accident victim, the steps you take after a DUI incident are critical to financial recovery. Consider taking the following steps after being involved in a DUI traffic crash.
Get to Safety
Your safety is the most important thing after an accident. If possible, move your car to the side of the road or to another place that will not impede traffic.
Call 911
If you or anyone else involved in the accident suffers an injury, call an ambulance. You need to see a medical professional right after the crash, both for your physical safety and for your legal claim. In addition, be sure to work with the police officer who responds to the scene. California law requires that drivers who are involved in a traffic crash resulting in bodily injury or death make a report to the police.
Start Collecting Evidence
You should start collecting evidence from the accident scene as soon as you can. It is important to collect all available evidence to ensure you and your attorney can properly tell your story, including how the accident happened and the extent of your property damage and injuries. Examples of what you should do when collecting evidence regarding the accident include:
- Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and your property damage.
- Keep an accurate account of all your medical records and bills.
- Get a copy of the official police report.
Call Our Trusted Long Beach DUI Accident Lawyers
You should speak to our team of DUI accident attorneys in Long Beach before talking to the opposing insurance company about the accident. Insurance providers do not have your best interest in mind and want to preserve their profit margins. To do so, adjusters may tempt you with quick settlement offers that are often insufficient to cover your damages. Having an attorney by your side will mitigate this risk.
Criminal Penalties for Driver While Impaired
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense in California. In fact, DUIs can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The California Vehicle Code provides the following penalties for felony or misdemeanor DUI convictions.
Misdemeanor DUI Conviction
An impaired driver may be charged with a misdemeanor if they have fewer than three DUI convictions on their criminal record. A misdemeanor DUI conviction carries a penalty of six months in county jail and a fine between $390 and $1,000. Further, a misdemeanor conviction may also require the completion of a court-approved DUI program in addition to driving with an ignition interlock device on the car. Impaired drivers may also lose their licenses. A second DUI conviction calls for the driver to spend 96 hours in county jail. If a third DUI conviction occurs within ten years, the minimum jail time for the convicted driver is 120 days.
Felony Conviction
If a driver has four or more DUI convictions, they may be charged with a felony DUI conviction, which can lead to extensive time in state prison, large fines, probation, and loss of license. Furthermore, the Department of Motor Vehicles may require the driver with a felony DUI conviction on their record to register as a habitual offender. This designation can stay on the driver’s record for years.
Penalties for Drivers Under The Age of 21
Drivers under the age of 21 face penalties if they operate a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of 0.01 percent or more, which is much stricter than the state limit of 0.08 percent.
Penalties for Commercial Vehicle Drivers
Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard than other drivers. They are prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle if they have a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent or higher. Such precaution makes the roads safer because commercial drivers typically drive much larger and heavier vehicles than others.
Civil Damages Available in DUI Traffic Accident Lawsuits
DUI accident victims are entitled to recover monetary reimbursement for all their losses and damages and the value of their injuries. Some losses are easy to see and prove, while others are harder to describe and determine. Experienced Long Beach DUI accident attorneys can present your case so you recover all the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Economic Damages
Damages available in DUI accidents are generally divided into economic, non-economic, and punitive. Economic damages are physical and tangible losses. Though it is usually the easiest to prove, having legal counsel makes proving these damages easier than if you faced it on your own. Examples of economic damages include:
- Current and future medical bills, the cost of rehabilitation, medical equipment, and other medical expenses
- Property damage
- Current and future lost income
- Lost earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic are intangible losses that a victim may face after a DUI accident. These damages are harder to prove, so an attorney is crucial. Examples of non-economic damages accident victims can recover include the following:
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Decreased quality and loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not compensatory. That means it is not meant to repay the victim for their economic or non-economic damages. California law allows a DUI accident victim to recover punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct involves oppression, malice, or fraud. Skilled Long Beach DUI accident lawyers can recover punitive damages if you are entitled to receive them.
When Will My DUI Accident Case Be Resolved?
Every lawsuit is different, and there is no guarantee of a timeline for a settlement or court verdict. Several factors contribute to how quickly your DUI accident case can be resolved. The following are some of the things that affect the speed of your case:
Negotiations
Most civil lawsuits begin in the negotiation phase, where plaintiffs negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s vital to remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses and are not interested in paying for your losses or making things easy for you. They even use various tactics to avoid paying out claims.
One tact is drawing out the process by refusing to pay out a satisfactory settlement. Having aggressive Long Beach DUI accident attorneys working with you can help the insurance provider take you more seriously, letting them know you will not be intimidated into settling for an inferior offer.
Evidence
The evidence available also determines how long it will take to resolve your case. Sometimes, having an abundance of evidence near the beginning of your case motivates the insurance company to settle quickly for a decent amount of money to avoid the expense of going to trial. On the other hand, if there is little or circumstantial evidence of liability, the case can drag on and may continue to trial. When your case gets set for trial depends on the court’s schedule and the availability of the parties.
Recovery Time
You should not settle your case until you have fully recovered from your injuries. After a traffic accident, many victims do not know the full extent of their injuries for days, weeks, or months. Settling too quickly can greatly reduce the overall settlement value of your claim.
Your attorney will likely advise you to follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment, keeping vicious insurance companies eager to settle your claim at bay while you fully heal. You only get one bite at the apple when settling a civil lawsuit, so patience is important. Do not jump on the first settlement offer to get the case resolved.
You need to work with DUI accident lawyers in Long Beach after being involved in a DUI traffic crash.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Is Having Experienced Long Beach DUI Accident Lawyers Important?
DUI accidents are complex. A legal professional’s help is required to navigate through the process of filing a claim and receiving financial compensation. Attorneys are important because they make insurance companies and third parties take injured victims more seriously. Clients who are represented fare much better than unrepresented accident victims during settlement negotiations and in court.
How Will My Attorney Help Me?
An attorney can investigate the facts of your case. You need an advocate to guide you through the legal process after a crash. A lot of people and entities will be looking to resolve the case in their favor. It is, therefore, essential to have an experienced advocate fighting for you just as hard as others will be fighting for themselves.
What Should I Look for in Long Beach DUI Accident Lawyers?
You should take time to decide what you want in an attorney before you hire one. There are certain qualities that make an attorney the right match for you and your claim. Consider the following as you interview legal experts to represent you in your DUI traffic accident claim.
Experience
Availability
Your attorney should be available to answer your questions and whenever you need them. Many DUI accident cases involve several moving parts, not confined to traditional office hours. Consider hiring a legal counsel whose colleagues and staff work as a team. Teamwork means that when one cannot answer quickly, another can take the call to address your questions. Since accessibility is important, your legal team should even be available via text message.
Price for Service
Most DUI accident lawyers in Long Beach handling civil litigation charge on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee agreement allows a client to defer payment for their attorney’s legal services until the end of the case. Usually, they will take a percentage of the final settlement amount as payment, so the client only owes them if there is a financial recovery.
Answers Questions Fully
You should never leave your attorney’s office or end a phone call with more questions than answers. The lawyer you choose to represent you in this important matter should be knowledgeable about the law and can anticipate potential outcomes for your case. They can prepare you for any possible outcome that may happen as your case resolves.
Shows Concern for Your Case
Building a good working relationship with your legal team is important, and part of that is feeling like they understand the gravity of your situation and appreciate the mixed emotions you have, like anxiety and stress, surrounding your case. You should never feel like your legal counsel thinks their time is more valuable than yours. They should spend as much time as it takes to adequately represent your interests and get you the best possible outcome.
If you or a family member suffered an injury or died in a DUI traffic accident, contact Arash Law’s DUI accident lawyers in Long Beach as soon as possible. Do not delay finding legal representation; it can be the difference between claiming the financial compensation you are entitled to and leaving money on the table that can help recover your losses.
Contact The Award-Winning DUI Accident Lawyers Long Beach Trusts
Arash Law, under the guidance of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has decades of experience helping injured Californians get the help they need after a DUI traffic accident. Our Long Beach DUI accident lawyers have served the community by getting them the financial compensation they deserve after suffering an injury or loss due to the carelessness of an impaired driver.
Our trusted DUI accident attorneys in Long Beach are committed to getting you the best results for your DUI accident claim. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our form to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation. We look forward to speaking with you.
