California Drunk Driving Accident Victim Lawyers
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- DUI Accidents in California — Injured Victims Deserve Justice
- We Hold Drunk Drivers Accountable: Intoxicated Driving is Negligent Driving
- Other Parties May Be Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident
- Understanding the Difference Between a Criminal Case and a Civil Case
- What Happens If the Criminal Charges Get Dismissed?
- The DUI Accident Statute of Limitations in California
- DUI Accident Victims in California Deserve Full Financial Compensation
- Special Consideration in DUI Accident Claims: Punitive Damages
- Dealing With the Opposing Insurance Company: Top 5 Ways to Protect Yourself After Being a Victim of a DUI
- Why You Should Choose Our California DUI Victim Lawyers
- You Can Always Afford a Top-Rated Drunk Driving Accident Victim Attorney
- How Often Are People Arrested for DUI?
- High-Risk Areas for DUI Accidents in California
- Wrongful Death In a DUI Accident in California
- What is Driving Under the Influence (DUI)?
- Driving High – Marijuana in California
- Legal Limits of Driving High in California
- Frequently Asked Question
Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyers Representing DUI Accident Victims Throughout California
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a DUI accident, contact the legal experts from Arash Law, managed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. Our award-winning California drunk driving accident victim lawyers will protect your rights and ensure you recover rightful compensation. Call us today at (888) 488-1391 to arrange a free consultation.
According to data published by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there were 401,520 DUI accident fatalities in the USA. Every day, approximately 37 Americans die in drunk-driving crashes throughout the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As of 2021, there were 13,384 drunk-driving traffic deaths, a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable. Drunk driving forced thousands of innocent people to endure severe, even life-altering injuries and trauma.
Alcohol is a factor in nearly one in three fatal auto accidents in the state. Our California drunk driving accident attorneys are influential, aggressive advocates for DUI accident victims. Drunk drivers must be held accountable for their egregious and dangerous behavior.
If you or your loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident in California, please do not hesitate to contact our legal team for legal guidance. We have a proven track record of success in securing $750 Million in settlements and compensation for our clients. Our California drunk driving accident victim lawyers are ready to investigate your case and fight for your rights.
DUI Accidents in California — Injured Victims Deserve Justice
Everyone deserves safe roads. Intoxicated drivers put innocent people and themselves at severe and unacceptable risk. While California and the United States as a whole have made some remarkable progress in curbing drinking and driving, there is still a very long way to go. According to a study conducted by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, drunk driving accident fatalities are 50 percent lower than they were 40 years ago. That being said, the scope of the problem is still vast.
In 2021, intoxicated drivers were involved in almost 31% of all fatal auto accidents. When DUI accidents occur, the resulting crashes are far more likely to lead to significant injuries. Impaired drivers are more likely to engage in reckless or dangerous behavior. Many DUI accidents occur at high rates of speed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that a driver who is barely over the legal limit (0.08 BAC) is approximately 11 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a non-intoxicated driver. As drivers become more intoxicated, the likelihood of a collision increases exponentially.
We Hold Drunk Drivers Accountable: Intoxicated Driving is Negligent Driving
California is a fault state, which means that drivers who are found to be at fault for a car accident may be held liable for any damages or injuries that result from the accident. To hold another party legally responsible for injuries sustained in a car wreck, the victim must be able to establish that the other party bears liability for the crash. Liability is typically based on a legal theory called ‘negligence.’ Essentially, negligence is reckless or careless conduct that causes an injury to another party. In-car accident cases, negligence can come in many different forms — from speeding to unsafe lane changes to distracted driving.
Of course, intoxicated driving is, by definition, negligent driving. Indeed, it is one of the worst types of careless drivers. Often, drunk drivers commit several different negligent acts at the same time. They are more likely to speed, they often violate other traffic laws, and they have trouble holding their attention on the road and avoiding distractions. Knowing this, you may think that it is easy to hold a drunk driver legally liable through a personal injury claim. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
- Police reports
- Arrest records
- Evidence presented in a criminal trial
- A conviction for drunk driving
- Photographs of the accident
- Witness testimonies
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
Other Parties May Be Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident
Parents of teenage drivers
Hosts of private parties
Bars and clubs
Restaurants
If one of these parties acts negligently and a DUI accident occurs, they may bear some responsibility for the resulting damages. For example, a minor’s parents could potentially be held liable if they allow friends of their teenager to drink in their home and then drive. Alternatively, a bar or liquor establishment may be legally responsible through a dram shop law claim if its staff members observe a clearly and visibly intoxicated patron. As these types of claims are highly complex, any injured victim considering pursuing one should consult with qualified California drunk driving accident victim lawyers as soon as possible.
Understanding the Difference Between a Criminal Case and a Civil Case
The intoxicated driver will likely face serious criminal charges following a significant DUI accident. Under California state law (California Vehicle Code 23513), a DUI that results in an injury to another person can be charged as a felony offense. While the criminal justice system is essential, any criminal case brought against a drunk driver will be a wholly separate legal proceeding from a civil personal injury case. To be clear, injured victims cannot get access to the full and fair financial compensation that they deserve in criminal court.
What Happens If the Criminal Charges Get Dismissed?
The DUI Accident Statute of Limitations in California
Under California state law, plaintiffs have a limited amount of time to file their personal injury lawsuit. According to the California Courts, there is a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, including DUI accident cases. An injured victim must bring their legal claim before the statute of limitations expires. Otherwise, they will be barred from bringing a case at all.
DUI Accident Victims in California Deserve Full Financial Compensation
- Vehicle repairs/replacement
- Ambulance costs
- Emergency medical bills
- Miscellaneous medical expenses
- Rehabilitative care
- Mental health treatment
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Wrongful death of a family member
Under California’s wrongful death statute (California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60), family members of the victim could be entitled to recovery for financial losses, such as medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of benefits. Victims might also be entitled to non-economic damages, including loss of love, companionship, and consortium. Wrongful death claims are highly complex. Family members of the victims should speak to an experienced California DUI accident lawyer under California’s wrongful death statute who can protect their rights.
Special Consideration in DUI Accident Claims: Punitive Damages
Dealing With the Opposing Insurance Company: Top 5 Ways to Protect Yourself After Being a Victim of a DUI
Why You Should Choose Our California DUI Victim Lawyers
When looking for a ‘DUI accident attorney near me,’ you should consider everything from credentials and experience to industry recognition. Of course, nothing is more important than winning the case. Our law firm has a proven record of successful results in personal injury cases. We have recovered more than $750 Million for injured victims. We encourage you to review our testimonials from satisfied clients for more information.
- Offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation of your DUI accident case
- Answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide guidance
- Assemble all relevant evidence to build a persuasive legal case
- Undertake settlement negotiations to get full financial compensation
- Prepare for personal injury litigation
We will take your case wherever it needs to go to get you the maximum available financial compensation. Of course, many DUI accident claims are settled without litigation. Indeed, the American Bar Association (ABA) reports that the overwhelming majority of personal injury cases are resolved before a trial.
You Can Always Afford a Top-Rated Drunk Driving Accident Victim Attorney
Following a major accident, it is normal to have concerns about the cost of legal representation. Many injured victims wonder: Can I afford the best DUI accident lawyer in California? The answer is an unequivocal ‘yes.’ Injured victims can always afford top legal representation. Arash Khorsandi’s California DUI victims lawyers at Arash Law handle personal injury claims under contingency fee agreements.
How Often Are People Arrested for DUI?
Death is the most tragic outcome of drinking and driving, but DUIs can also have legal consequences. According to FBI data, more than 443,000 people were arrested on suspicion of DUI in 2021. The number could be much higher since Florida did not contribute to the latest FBI report.
High-Risk Areas for DUI Accidents in California
- Los Angeles – specifically Downtown LA and Hollywood, where the nightlife is active.
- San Francisco – Nightlife is well-known in areas such as the Mission District and SoMa.
- San Diego – Areas like Pacific Beach and Gaslamp Quarter are high-risk.
- Sacramento – DUI incidents can be higher in downtown Sacramento and the area around the state capitol.
- Orange County – Newport Beach and Huntington Beach can have higher DUI rates during weekends and holidays.
- Riverside County – Festivals and events are associated with increased DUI incidents in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs.
Keep in mind that DUI accidents can occur anywhere, and the risks can differ depending on the time of day, holidays, and local enforcement efforts. If you got hurt in a DUI accident, you should immediately reach our California drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law to ensure that you will get the compensation you deserve.
Fighting DUI Accidents without California Drunk Driving Accident Victim Lawyers
Receiving inadequate compensation
Legal Complexity of Personal Injury Claims
Missed Deadlines and Incomplete Documentation
Emotional Stress
The aftermath of an injury can be emotionally challenging. It can be stressful to handle legal matters on your own. DUI accident victim attorneys can ease some of those burdens and allow you to focus on your recovery.
Lack of Resources and Time
Wrongful Death In a DUI Accident in California
What is Driving Under the Influence (DUI)?
According to California’s driving under the influence (DUI) laws, you are driving a vehicle while intoxicated if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is at or above any of the following levels:
- 08% or higher – 21 years old or older operating a regular passenger vehicle
- 04% or higher – operating a commercial vehicle
- 01% or higher – younger than 21 years old.
Driving High – Marijuana in California
Under California Vehicle Code Section 23222, any bottle, can, or other container containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, the seal of which has been broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed, shall not be in the possession of any person while that person is operating a motor vehicle on a highway or on lands as described in subdivision (b) of Section 23220.
In the event that a person is found in possession of up to one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana, other than concentrated marijuana as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 11006.5, while operating a motor vehicle on a highway or on land, he or she is in violation of the law and is subject to a fine of up to $100.
Legal Limits of Driving High in California
Frequently Asked Question
I was hit by a drunk driver in California. What do I need to know?
What happens if the drunk driver who hit my car is not insured?
- Third-party auto liability insurance for DUI drivers or
- Own uninsured motorist policy
When claiming compensation against insurance companies or from DUI drivers, you should seek the legal services of California drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, supervised by Arash Khorsandi. Our DUI attorneys are skilled in dealing with insurance companies.
How much do DUI lawyers in California charge?
- The complexity of the lawsuits
- The level of experience and reputation of the DUI attorney
- The current caseload of the DUI lawyer
- Is the case handled by an associate or the primary attorney?
- The particular courthouse
- Possibility of trial
The California drunk driving accident victim lawyers of Arash Law may accept your case in a contingent fee arrangement. A contingency free agreement means that you don’t need to pay until after we recover compensation on your behalf. With this fee arrangement, victims are more confident that their lawyers’ interests are aligned with their own.
How often do DUI cases get dismissed in California?
Is it worth getting a DUI lawyer in California?
How much does it cost to get a DUI accident lawyer in California?
Is California tough on DUI?
- Someone is hurt
- You have previously been convicted of a felony DUI or
- You have three or more prior DUI convictions within the past 10 years.
What happens at a DUI court hearing in California?
How long does it take to resolve a DUI case in California?
Can You Sue a Drunk Driver?
Can a bar be held liable for a drunk driver in California?
Contact Our California Injury Lawyers for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents Today
Our top-rated California DUI accident lawyers at our firm have the skills and experience needed to represent drunk driving accident victims in the full range of personal injury claims. We will fight tirelessly to protect your legal rights and help you and your family recover the full and fair financial compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Are you ready to find out if you have a case? We are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact our DUI victim lawyers in California at (888) 488-1391 to set up your free, strictly confidential personal injury case evaluation. Our legal team will get you answers.
We are well-positioned to serve injured victims throughout California – whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, or other California locations, know that help from Arash Law is available to you 24/7.