Santa Rosa DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
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Santa Rosa DUI Accident Victim Lawyers Protecting Your Legal Interests After An Injury
Drivers who operate vehicles while under the influence may be held legally responsible for the harm they cause to others. Survivors of DUI-related accidents often face not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Hiring Santa Rosa DUI accident victim lawyers from Arash Law can provide you with an advocate ready to represent and protect your legal rights. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule a complimentary initial consultation today.
Situated in the Bay Area and part of the North Bay region of Northern California, the city of Santa Rosa is the governmental center of Sonoma County. Approximately 178,000 people call the city home. The Redwood Coast and Wine Country of California contains many cities, but Santa Rosa is the largest. Of all the cities in the Bay Area, only Fremont, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose are more populated than Santa Rosa, which is also the twenty-fifth most populated city in California.
Those who drive while intoxicated do so multiple times before they are arrested or cause a DUI accident. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that inebriated drivers have operated their vehicles while drunk eighty times before they are arrested. Drivers who take their vehicles on the road while they are intoxicated are placing the lives of all other motorists in peril. You have the right to pursue financial compensation from the party responsible for the drunk driving accident. It is possible for you to seek damages for pain and suffering, lost income, and medical bills. Even if the driver who caused your injuries does not get convicted of criminal charges, you can still file a civil lawsuit and seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Those who get behind the wheel of an automobile after drinking to excess may not understand how their actions can affect others. Some individuals refrain from driving after having too many drinks, but others believe they will never be apprehended for driving under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, it is often the innocent motorists and passengers who lose their lives due to DUI accidents.
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
Unsafe Road Crossings In Santa Rosa
The area of Melita Road and Highway 12 is one of the most dangerous in Santa Rosa for motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Deadly automobile accidents take place every year in this area of the city. During the month of September 2021, numerous automobiles were involved in an accident that resulted in serious bodily injuries and overwhelming road congestion. Highway 101 is also an unsafe area in Santa Rosa, where many traffic accidents occur every year.
Facts Regarding Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol
Approximately 1,400 deadly DUI accidents occurred in 2005, and 20,000 DUI accidents caused only bodily injuries. In 2006, there were 17,602 fatalities nationwide (39% of all wrecks) and 159 injuries from DUI-related car accidents. On the other hand, 159 million people claim to have experienced moments of driving while intoxicated.
California state law imposes severe penalties on intoxicated drivers. Those who are convicted of driving under the influence may face up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine if they cause the death of another person.
Ignition interlock devices and DUI checkpoints are effective tools cities can use to reduce the number of DUI accidents that occur every year. By filing a civil lawsuit against the party who caused your injuries, you are bringing more attention to the inherent dangers of drinking and driving.
The Different Categories Of DUI Offenses In California
DUI charges in California are not uniform. Different factors, such as whether the DUI accident was lethal, the driver’s age, and whether or not the driver has any prior convictions, are relevant when determining the status of the criminal charge. The following are common DUI charges in California:
- Drug DUI
- Commercial DUI
- Under 21 DUI
- Injury DUI
- Felony DUI
- DUI third offense
- DUI second offense
- DUI first offense
California Legal Penalties For DUI Convictions
The legal penalties a party will face are based on the criminal charge the defendant is facing. All courts will consider the defendant’s past criminal conduct and whether there are prior convictions for DUI. Oftentimes, drivers have questions about how to get their driver’s licenses back after being convicted of DUI. The majority of individuals convicted of DUI face potential jail sentences and monetary fines. Also, defendants may lose their driving privileges for a long period of time, and specific requirements must be met before a driver can regain their driver’s license.
The following are some of the common penalties those convicted of DUIs face in California:
- SR-22 insurance
- Fees
- Community service
- Substance abuse treatment
- Alcohol and drug testing
- Defensive driving classes
- Restricted driving privileges
- Driver’s license suspension
- Fines
- Jail sentences
An individual charged with a misdemeanor DUI that causes a victim to suffer bodily injuries may face the following penalties:
- Driver’s license suspension for one to three years
- Terms in DUI school cannot exceed thirty months.
- A maximum of $5,000 in fines
- Jail time ranging from 5 days to 364 days
A felony DUI that causes serious bodily injury may give rise to the following penalties:
- A five-year revocation of the defendant’s driving privileges.
- Between eighteen and thirty months in defensive driving school.
- A strike under the three-strike law in California
- An extension of the period of incarceration if more than one person suffered injuries.
- Between two and four years in prison (a defendant will face five to ten years in prison if the victim suffered serious bodily injury).
The court may determine whether or not the defendant will be liable for paying for the injured party’s medical recovery. A responsible party may be forced to pay thousands of dollars to the injured party.
DUI Cases And Chemical Testing Methods
A suspect who is being assessed by a police officer may choose between a breathalyzer test and a blood-alcohol test. Chemical tests are required under state law, and the results of the tests may produce conflicting data. These tests typically demonstrate the present blood alcohol level of the suspect.
In California, the following are the legal limits for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 0.01 percent for those younger than 21 years of age.
- 0.04 percent for drivers who operate commercial vehicles.
- 0.08 percent for those who are 21 years of age or older.
Breathalyzer test results are used for different purposes in criminal cases. The driver who produces a reading that is over the legal limit will be charged with an illegal per se offense, which means such a reading is illegal throughout the United States. The breathalyzer reading is used to prove the criminal conduct of the defendant.
Consequences Facing Those Who Are Convicted Of Driving Under The Influence In California
DUI charges are not only used to charge those who engage in criminal activity. Medication use is also applicable to DUI laws in California. An operator of a motor vehicle may have consumed drugs or too many drugs before driving, and because of this, the police can arrest and charge the person with DUI.
A DUI conviction will remain on an individual’s DMV record for ten years. Listed below are the sanctions an individual may face if convicted of DUI. The following are important penalties and laws associated with DUI convictions:
- You may have an ignition interlock device installed on your automobile. The cost associated with this installation is likely to be around $1,000. The driver with this device installed must blow into it if they wish to drive. The ignition interlock device will prevent the car from cranking up if the user has alcohol in their system.
- You may be required to attend an alcohol abuse treatment program. Inebriated drivers need to pay for these classes using their own funds and make sure to take classes for three months. If the motorist’s blood alcohol content is 0.20 percent or higher, then the program will last for nine months.
- Individuals convicted of drunk driving may face two days in jail and a ninety-day driver’s license revocation. For a single DUI offender with no prior DUI convictions, the maximum jail time they can serve is six months. Additionally, first-time offenders are not eligible to have their driver’s licenses extended for more than six months. However, this rule does not apply if the driver refuses a blood alcohol test.
- A driver who causes property damage but not bodily harm or fatalities will pay $390 in fines and more than $1,000 in penalty assessments. Extra assessments may be necessary depending on the circumstances of the case. A $1,000 fee and a $2,600 penalty are the highest fine amounts for a first-time DUI offender.
- A criminal license suspension is the deprivation of an individual’s driver’s license. Under this provision, the intoxicated driver may only go to and from work as well as to and from alcohol treatment programs.
- If a driver does not submit to a chemical test, the police officer may confiscate the driver’s operating license and produce a suspension order. The police officer will then transmit their report and the driver’s license to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Individuals who are charged with their second DUI offense face more severe monetary fines and longer jail sentences. The periods of driver’s license suspension may also be different based on the facts. A second-offense DUI suspect may have a maximum of one year in the county jail, monetary fines ranging from $390 to $1,000, and a two-year driver’s license suspension, as well as eighteen to thirty months of defensive driving courses. These penalties are the same for third-time DUI offenders, but they may have to deal with a loss of their driver’s license for three years and mandatory defensive driving school for 30 months.
Some DUI offenders in California are younger than twenty-one years of age. These motorists may face charges stemming from California’s zero-tolerance law. Also, they may be charged with “minor in possession of alcohol” if law enforcement officers find an open container of alcohol in the automobile.
If a person is convicted of the minor in possession charge, then their automobile will be impounded for thirty days, their driver’s license will be suspended for one year, and they will be fined a maximum amount of $1,000. This zero-tolerance law means that California does not permit drivers younger than twenty-one years of age to have any alcohol in their bodies. All minors convicted of DUI face criminal charges, license suspensions, defensive driving school, and monetary fines.
Prosecutors may choose to charge a misdemeanor DUI offense as a felony. This alteration typically occurs when the perpetrator causes an accident that results in harm to a victim. Also, a driver may face a felony conviction if they have been convicted of a DUI at least three times in a single ten-year period.
A driver may also be charged with a felony if they already have a felony DUI on their criminal record. If an individual acted negligently and caused someone’s death due to being intoxicated, they may be charged with a felony DUI. Some felony DUI sentences include five years of incarceration, fines amounting to thousands of dollars, and a permanent criminal record. Some DUI cases are different, and other penalties will be assessed based on the facts of those cases.
The Types Of Damages An Injured Victim May Seek In A California DUI Accident Case
Civil litigation often focuses on liability and damages. Injured victims may seek both economic and non-economic damages as part of their DUI accident case. The following are some common examples of both economic and non-economic damages that Santa Rosa DUI accident victim lawyers can help pursue for victims:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity
- Future medical bills
- Past medical bills
- Property damage
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Hire Santa Rosa DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
Santa Rosa DUI accident victim lawyers can answer your questions regarding civil litigation and how DUI accident cases fit into that framework. You may want to know how the total damages amount is calculated or whether your civil rights have been violated. We can gather the evidence you need to substantiate your legal claims. While we handle the legal matters, you can focus on recovery from your injuries.
Also, when you hire DUI accident victim lawyers in Santa Rosa, you can take advantage of the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality. These principles protect the attorney-client relationship. You can be candid and forthright with your attorney about what you know regarding the DUI accident case. This level of privacy can help you strategize with your attorney about the legal process of seeking financial compensation for your injuries.
A lawyer can present your case clearly and in accordance with legal procedures. They can also guide you through settlement discussions or, if necessary, litigation. Santa Rosa DUI accident victim attorneys can advocate for your interests and provide experienced representation.
Contact Arash Law’s Santa Rosa DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
Arash Law helps injured victims seek financial compensation for their injuries. Our Santa Rosa DUI accident victim attorneys have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases throughout California. We are dedicated to representing your interests and advocating for your rights throughout the claims process, including interactions with insurance companies.
Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form to schedule a free initial consultation. Our Santa Rosa DUI accident victim lawyers also serve neighboring cities and communities, including Roseland, Larkfield-Wikiup, Fulton, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Penngrove, Cotati, Graton, Windsor, Kenwood, Forestville, Calistoga, Eldridge, Occidental, Petaluma, and St. Helena.
