Drunk driving accidents in Santa Ana, CA, pose a serious risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Many such accidents cause serious injuries and financial hardships. If you or a loved one has been involved in a DUI accident in Santa Ana, California, understanding your right to potential compensation will be important. An experienced Santa Ana DUI accident lawyer can help you fight for fair compensation.
Contact The Simon Law Group for a free consultation at (714) 581 8546 with an experienced Santa Ana DUI accident attorney.
How The Simon Law Group Can Help After a DUI Accident in Santa Ana
Our Santa Ana car accident lawyers have over 250 years of combined experience representing the injured. Over the course of 25 years, we have recovered over $600 million for personal injury victims, including those involved in DUI accidents in Santa Ana, CA.
Our Santa Ana personal injury attorneys can handle all aspects of your DUI accident claim, including:
- Investigating whether drunk or impaired driving caused your accident
- Gathering evidence and eyewitness statements
- Reviewing your medical records
- Calculating your damages for injuries, lost wages, and emotional distress
- Filing insurance claims against drunk or impaired drivers
- Negotiating insurance settlements for maximum compensation
- Litigating DUI accident cases in California state courts
Reach out to The Simon Law Group to schedule a free consultation today with a Santa Ana DUI accident lawyer.
How Common Are DUI Accidents in California?
California sees a high number of DUI-related accidents each year. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that thousands of DUI arrests annually and impaired drivers contribute significantly to fatal and severe injury crashes. Local law enforcement and the state’s strict DUI laws aim to deter drunk driving, but the problem persists.
What Is Drunk Driving in California?
It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher in California if you are a driver aged 21 and over. This limit is reduced to 0.04 percent for commercial drivers, while a BAC over just 0.01 percent can lead to charges for someone under age 21. Driving under the influence of drugs, even if legal or prescription, could also constitute a DUI in California.
Drunk driving is taken seriously in California. Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs can affect your reaction time, judgment, and overall driving ability and increase the likelihood of causing a serious accident. A law enforcement officer will charge you with DUI if you drive with an illegal BAC.
What Happens if I’m Involved In an Accident and the Other Driver is Charged With Drunk Driving?
A drunk or impaired driver may be responsible for your crash in Santa Ana.
If you have been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, there are several factors to consider:
- Criminal charges against the driver: The impaired driver will likely face criminal DUI charges, including fines, jail time, or license suspension. These charges penalize the drunk driver but do not directly compensate you as the victim.
- Stronger personal injury claim: A DUI charge against the driver involved in your accident provides strong evidence of negligence, which can strengthen a potential personal injury claim. The driver’s conviction can help establish liability and may result in a faster and more favorable outcome in your case.
- Potential punitive damages: Cases involving egregious negligence, such as drunk driving, may entitle you to punitive damages under California law. These damages are intended to punish the drunk driver and deter similar conduct from other drivers on California roads. These damages can substantially increase the compensation awarded to victims.
Working with a Santa Ana car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and maximize your claim.
What Compensation May I Recover After A DUI Accident in Santa Ana, CA?
You may be entitled to different types of compensation after an accident involving drunk driving.
The compensation awarded will depend on your specific injuries and damages, but may include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for current and future medical costs related to your injuries, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: Compensation for lost wages if you cannot work due to your injuries or if your injuries impact your future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering or emotional trauma related to your accident.
- Property damage: Compensation for damage to your vehicle or other personal property in the accident.
A Santa Ana car accident lawyer will evaluate your case to identify all economic and non-economic damages you may have suffered.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a DUI Accident in California?
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those involving DUI accidents, is generally two years from the accident date. This means that you have two years to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver who caused your accident. Missing this deadline will cause you to lose your right to seek compensation in court. There are exceptions, such as when the injured person is a minor, but you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to protect your rights.
Contact Our Santa Ana DUI Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI accident in Santa Ana, CA, you do not have to face the challenges of recovering compensation alone. Our Santa Ana DUI accident lawyers at The Simon Law Group have decades of experience handling DUI-related cases. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve and holding drunk drivers accountable. Schedule a free consultation at (714) 581 8546 today.
