A car crash with a drunk driver can alter your life and leave you facing serious injuries. Physical scars and emotional trauma may last for years to come. We want to ease some of your distress at LA Century Law. LA Century Law has a track record of being the best in cases against drunk drivers. In fact, TopVerdict.com awarded LA Century Law the Number 1 Settlement in 2022 against a drunk driver.
When you work with our drunk driving accident lawyers in San Bernardino, our team will investigate your situation and advocate for compensation on your behalf. We will not leave a stone unturned and make sure full justice is brought against such bad actors. Work today with our car accident lawyers in San Bernardino.
How Drunk Drivers Cause Accidents
The state of California has strict laws to punish drunk driving. Similar to the rest of the nation, if a driver’s blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.08 in California, it could result in a DUI charge. Still, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, nationwide, a staggering 13,384 people died in drunk driving accidents in the year 2021.
It only takes a small amount of alcohol to cause impairment. Research suggests that memory impairment can happen after only a few drinks. Other adverse effects of alcohol consumption include difficulty concentrating, poor judgment, attention deficits, and irrational behavior.
When a drunk driver gets behind the wheel, they may not be able to accurately evaluate their state. They might feel as though operating a vehicle is possible when, in fact, the concentration and vigilance required to drive safely is dangerously lacking.
Drunk Driving Civil Suits vs. Criminal Charges
A drunk driver who crashes into you and causes extensive property and bodily damage can experience many repercussions. They may face criminal charges, as well as any legal action you choose to take.
Civil suit
Your drunk driving accident lawyer can direct a civil suit. We will look at every angle of your accident and highlight how the situation negatively impacted your life. Our team will actively investigate every strategy to acquire compensation for you.
Allowing our DUI accident attorney to handle your case will give you space and time to heal. Your physical wounds may only be a portion of the deep-rooted trauma you experienced. Our team will handle all of the details of your case to support you through your recovery.
Criminal charges
The driver who hit you may also face criminal charges of DUI. The court of law will determine the extent of the charges and the appropriate way to punish the perpetrator for the crime. Charges could range from a misdemeanor to a felony. The driver who hit you could even face a manslaughter charge if the accident resulted in someone’s death.
Determining Liability for a DUI Accident
If you sustain injuries in a crash with a drunk driver, it might seem clear who the at-fault party is. However, there are situations where determining liability will take more time. There may be an investigation into whether an establishment or social host overserved the individual who contributed to the accident.
A drunk driving accident lawyer at our firm will thoroughly examine your case. Our main responsibility is to establish the other driver’s duty of care. Then we will highlight how the other driver’s breach of that duty resulted in the damages you sustained. Our team will gather all pertinent information:
- Photographs from the accident scene
- Reports from first responders
- Statements of other involved parties
- Statements from witnesses
Being able to prove negligence will make a considerable difference in our ability to establish liability. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an obvious form of negligence. Gathering evidence from multiple sources, including tracing the drunk driver’s actions that led up to them being intoxicated, will enable us to fortify your case.
Types of Compensation from a DUI Crash
The extent of damage you face from a drunk driving accident can take years to unravel. Examples might include property damage, significant physical injuries, and deep-rooted emotional trauma. Recovering damages can facilitate your healing and offset some of the repercussions.
Economic damages
The financial repercussions of your accident could debilitate your life. Such costs could include medical bills, follow-up treatments, rehabilitation, lost wages, and lost earning power. If your physical injuries caused permanent disability, the accident may prevent you from ever returning to your job. It could also require modifications to your home to make it livable in light of your new condition.
Economic damages will address all of the obvious financial ramifications of the drunk driving crash. Your drunk driving accident lawyer will make an exhaustive list of the ways the accident interfered with your financial stability.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages include psychological trauma, diminished quality of life, and disfigurement. If your injuries threaten your life or result in death, your loved ones may also be able to collect non-economic damages for loss of companionship.
Punitive damages
The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the perpetrator. These often extreme monetary fines serve to deter other people from committing the same type of acts.
Our team will negotiate on your behalf to get you the greatest possible amount of compensation. You deserve the support you need to overcome the trauma you experienced.
Contact Our San Bernardino Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers to Help You
From investigating your case to working with insurance adjusters, advocating your rights, and negotiating your settlement, let our DUI accident attorneys handle the important details. At LA Century Law, our goal is to acquire compensation for you that accurately reflects the impact of the accident on you and your family’s life. Contact us today via our online form for a free consultation.
