Drunk drivers put themselves and others in peril. Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. The State of California takes impaired driving seriously, especially when it results in an accident.
You have the right to seek compensation for your losses if another driver caused a crash while under the influence. A Santa Ana drunk driving accident lawyer from Ben Crump, PLLC can review your claim and discuss your legal options.
To speak to our legal team with no upfront fees, contact us at Ben Crump, PLLC. Speak to one of our representatives by calling (844) 730-0233.
Drunk Driving Lawsuits
California has strict penalties for driving under the influence. The state considers a driver as impaired if their blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent. If the driver is younger than 21 years old, they will face penalties for a 0.01 percent BAC or higher. Commercial truck drivers cannot have a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher when driving a standard vehicle.
However, motorists can have lower BACs and still cause an accident. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol can experience:
- Delayed reaction times.
- Poor vision or hearing.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Reduced control of handling and speed.
- Drowsiness.
- Cognitive deficiencies.
It is often easy to spot an impaired driver when they drift between lanes or operate their vehicle erratically. If a police officer suspects a driver of drinking, they may require drivers to submit to a sobriety test. Law enforcement responding to an accident may smell alcohol on the driver and conduct a test or arrest them on the spot.
Claims against drunk drivers are typically for property damage, personal injury, or a family member’s death. California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 gives you two years to seek compensation for a personal injury or wrongful death. This two-year deadline starts on either the day of the accident or the day your family member died.
A Santa Ana drunk driving accident lawyer from Ben Crump, PLLC can help you get started on seeking payment for your losses. Our team does not shy away from tough cases, and we will work hard when fighting for your compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accidents lawyer serving Santa Ana, call (844) 730-0233
Compensation for Drunk Driving Accidents
You have the right to seek compensation if a drunk driver caused an accident with you or your loved one. Most lawsuits with drunk drivers involve victims requesting compensation for:
- Property damage: Damage to their vehicle, home, or business. Drunk drivers can cause a significant amount of destruction to cars, buildings, and property. Crashes with other drivers can include front-end, back-end, sideswipe, and T-bone collisions. Motorists can also run up sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots until hitting pedestrians, structures, or trees.
- Injuries: Depending on the accident, injuries can range from bruises to death. Out-of-control vehicles, especially large and heavy ones, can cause serious injuries that require costly medical treatment. Serious injuries can change a victim’s life dramatically.
- Lost wages: The accident and your injuries might keep you from returning to work. It might take days, weeks, months, or years for you to recover and return to your employment. If the accident caused a disability or disfigurement, you might never return to your profession. Laws and courts can hold drunk drivers fully responsible for the damages they caused.
- Pain and suffering: Your physical, mental, and emotional anguish counts for something, and you can request additional payment for your non-economic losses. Non-economic losses are those that do not come with an invoice or bill. However, the law recognizes those damages.
- Death: If a drunk driver killed your family member, you might be entitled to payment for your losses. The sudden loss of a loved one can mean high health care expenses followed by end-of-life costs. Your family can also lose income, inheritances, and other financial losses due to their loved one’s death. The drunk driver may be responsible for additional compensation to make up for these financial damages.
The amount you seek from the drunk driver should account for all of your losses. Calculate all of your related damages, including those in the future. If you have upcoming treatments, like surgeries or rehabilitation, you should include this amount into your written statement of intent to sue.
Santa Ana Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
How Legal Assistance Can Help You
In most cases, the drunk driver’s insurance company is the party responsible for paying you. California requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage. Their insurance company pays for the damages the policyholder is responsible for covering.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), drivers must have coverage for at least:
- $15,000 for the injury or death of a single person.
- $30,000 for the injury or death of multiple people.
- $5,000 for property damage.
Insurance companies do not want to pay for your problems. The representatives will try to pay as little as possible. They might offer a low settlement when you are desperate for cash to pay for medical bills and repair costs. However, our team can negotiate on your behalf.
The last thing you need to worry about when recovering from your injuries is fighting for the compensation you need. A Santa Ana drunk driving accident lawyer can review your case and use evidence to strengthen your claim. Evidence can include:
- Photos of the accident and damage.
- Witness testimony from bystanders and people who saw what happened.
- Videos and surveillance of the accident.
- Medical bills and records.
- Repair invoices and appraisal assessments.
The team at Ben Crump, PLLC works on a contingency basis, which means we do not get paid unless you do. Our fee comes from your settlement or lawsuit award. You do not have upfront fees for our services.
You can speak to our representatives about your claim. Call us at (844) 730-0233 with your questions.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
