Palm Springs DUI Accident Victim Attorneys
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Our Palm Springs DUI Accident Victim Attorneys Help You Find A Legal Path Forward
If you are a victim of a drunk driving incident in Palm Springs, you may have the right to seek compensation. Consider retaining the services of Palm Springs DUI accident victim lawyers from Arash Law. We have extensive experience helping clients pursue just compensation for their losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Palm Springs is a desert resort city near the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, California. It is the largest city by land area in the county, with an area of 95 square miles. The population as of the 2020 census was 44,575. Palm Springs also has 10% of the city as part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian reservation. Known for its retirement community, the city is a snowbird destination, with the population rising during November and March.
Many factors can lead to car accidents, but an ever-changing population is one. Residents are familiar with daily routes, but visitors are only here for short periods and might make costly mistakes while driving. One of those mistakes is drinking and driving. After a collision, you can gain clarity on your legal options by speaking to the DUI accident victim lawyers from Arash Law.
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
Factors In DUI Crashes
Many factors can contribute to or cause traffic collisions, including vehicle design, speed, road design, driver skill, vehicle condition, and driver impairments. Studies find that the risk of accidents can increase depending on speed. When drivers go significantly slower or faster than the average speed, it can result in an accident.
Often, higher speeds lead to accidents with severe injuries. Fatalities are also more common when the driver travels at a high speed. The driver’s behavior is another significant factor in how collisions happen. Other interesting facts about Palm Springs car accidents include:
- Motorcyclists are two times more likely to experience severe injuries than other drivers after a collision.
- The majority of speed-related crashes involve drivers going too fast for the current conditions, meaning they might be within the speed limit but too fast for the road or weather.
- Intoxication, driver error, and human factors account for nearly 93% of all collisions.
- Younger drivers are known to have good reaction times. Within this demographic, male drivers are involved in a higher number of accidents than young female drivers.
- Older drivers have slower reaction times. However, they tend to drive more cautiously and less often.
- Rollover accidents are severe. When there is seat belt use, about 25% of occupants suffer fatalities. Lack of seatbelt use resulting in ejections leads to 83% of fatalities.
- The highest likelihood of having an accident is within the first year of getting a license.
When reviewing your crash, the Palm Springs DUI accident victim lawyers from Arash Law will consider these factors.
California DUI Limits
All states have different laws regarding driving under the influence. Some are harsher, and others are more lenient. A driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be considered intoxicated. While 0.08% is the limit in California, drivers can face consequences for lower blood alcohol concentrations.
The main factor is not always BAC. Officers often look to see how much the driving ability is impacted. If the driver’s abilities are significantly affected, they can face DUI charges. Intoxicated drivers are choosing to drive. They are choosing to endanger themselves and others.
BAC limits can only show so much in an injury claim. While it is crucial evidence, DUI accident attorneys in Palm Springs will look for additional evidence. With more proof of negligence, your claim will be more supported.
Ways In Which Alcohol Increases Risk Factors
Intoxicated drivers are more likely to cause an accident than sober drivers, as alcohol significantly increases risk factors. A person may have elevated risk factors when drinking and driving for many reasons, including the following:
- Blurry or compromised vision.
- Slower reaction times.
- Cognitive impairments.
- More likely to disobey speed limits.
- Less likely to stop for signage, pedestrians, or lights.
- Swerving out of their lane.
- Participating in other dangerous actions.
The impact that alcohol has on the body can vary by person. However, the one thing experts can agree upon is that alcohol can impair anyone when driving. DUI accident victim lawyers in Palm Springs can collect evidence to look for other signs of impairment outside BAC levels.
Legal Penalties For DUI In California
When someone commits a crime, they will face consequences. While DUIs happen when operating a vehicle, they are not traffic citations. Instead, these are criminal offenses. Penalties can be serious depending on the circumstances. The penalties get worse if the person commits additional DUIs.
A criminal conviction might not resolve your injuries, but it can bring you justice. If the conviction happens before you resolve your case, you may also use it as evidence in your civil case. What follows are some of the potential penalties drunk drivers can face.
Monetary Consequences
These penalties often apply to criminal cases. California has varying fines for DUI offenses. If the person gets one to three violations within ten years, fines can range from $390 to $1,000. Riverside County can impose more considerable penalties, reaching over $2,300 for first and second offenses. A third offense in the County can have penalties closer to $3,000. If there are any aggravating factors, fines may be substantially higher.
Treatment Program
Often, convicted drunk drivers may have to attend a drug or alcohol treatment program. The length of time and specific program will vary by offense. Other factors can also contribute to this requirement. First-time offenders may have to participate in a three-month first-offender program. Alternatively, they may attend a nine-month program. Second-time offenses may have more extended program participation, lasting up to 18 months.
Riverside County’s DUI program for third-time offenses can last 30 months and includes extensive counseling, education, and up to 300 hours of community service, with significant associated costs. Riverside lawyers who represent DUI accident victims can use offense-related documents to help establish liability.
Probation
A first offense in California can result in informal probation, often referred to as summary probation. The probation period can be three to five years for the first to third offense and will not change if the person is charged with DUI with injury.
Jail Time
When people are arrested for drunk driving, they can face incarceration and be held in a county or state jail. A first offense is sufficient to result in jail time.
Possible Aggravating Factors
The aforementioned DUI penalties are the standard, but some aggravating factors can increase these penalties substantially. Some of these aggravating factors include:
- A BAC over 0.15%.
- Refusing a chemical test.
- Causing an accident.
- Speeding.
- Under the legal drinking age of 21.
- Having a child under 14 in the vehicle.
- Causing an injury to another person.
- Causing the death of another person.
These aggravating factors can increase financial and criminal penalties. When injuries or death are involved, it can lead to consecutive prison sentences. The consequences will change depending on which factors apply and if the driver has a criminal record. If you suffer an injury from a drunk driving accident, Palm Springs DUI accident victim lawyers can represent your interests in a personal injury case.
How Insurance Companies Handle DUIs
In some cases, insurance companies might not cover accidents involving DUIs. This may mean you have to pursue a lawsuit against the drunk driver itself.
If coverage is available, you can expect the insurance company to scrutinize your claim. It is a necessary process to validate claims. The adjusters may not be able to properly assess cases without sufficient evidence. Palm Springs DUI accident victim lawyers can gather additional evidence to support your claim.
You may need legal representation if you suffer an injury or a loved one dies in a wrongful death accident. Calculating your financial losses can be a complex process. Dealing with negotiations can be equally challenging. Our attorneys can handle the legal aspects of your case and advocate for your rights.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Benefits Of Hiring DUI Accident Victim Attorneys In Palm Springs
You will need medical assistance if you suffer injuries from a DUI collision. Ideally, you must get medical assistance at the accident scene and then an immediate follow-up at a hospital. Depending on your injuries, we can refer you to a medical professional. They may be able to work on a lien basis depending on the circumstances. Our team will follow up on your treatments and help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Another benefit of having skilled Palm Springs DUI accident victim lawyers is evidence collection. We can gather various reports, such as:
- Medical records
- Crash report
- BAC test reports
- Traffic citations
If a criminal case is happening, we can also attempt to get those records. Doing so is not always possible, however, as criminal cases may not be resolved before your civil case. Nevertheless, after compiling evidence, we will negotiate with the insurance company.
When assessing your case and negotiating with the insurance company, we will include the following damages that you can file a claim for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
- Transportation expenses
Accident victims may choose to handle cases independently. However, you may encounter challenges that are difficult to navigate without prior familiarity with the process. There is a risk of overlooking certain losses, potentially resulting in inadequate compensation.
Our dedicated Palm Springs DUI accident victim attorneys can help you seek compensation that addresses your actual losses. The team at our Palm Springs injury law firm will consider your future losses and refer you to medical professionals who can assess the impact of your injuries. We can guide you on how to get your vehicle repaired or replaced and help you seek out car rental options.
One last significant benefit is how much you pay for legal services. We offer free initial consultations, so you get a case review at no cost to you. Since personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, you only pay fees if we are able to get compensation on your behalf. Please note that clients may still be responsible for case costs regardless of the result. We will explain our fee structure during your free initial consultation.
Speak To Our Palm Springs DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
Getting a lawyer before speaking with the insurance company may help you seek fair compensation. The lawyers at Arash Law can help you assess the full impact of the accident on your life and prepare a case that reflects your actual losses.
Make use of your legal options if you suffer injuries or lose a loved one in a drunk driving accident, whether as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or another driver. Led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., the legal team at Arash Law is here to help injury victims in Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. We can answer your legal questions and help you understand your possible options.
Reach us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our contact form to schedule an initial consultation with our Palm Springs DUI accident victim lawyers.
