Los Angeles Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Experienced Legal Help for Victims of DUI Crashes in Southern California

At Wisner Baum, our Los Angeles drunk driving accident lawyers are committed to helping the victims of DUI crashes and their families. We know how to navigate the personal injury claims process and how to fight for the full, fair recovery our clients are owed. If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, we can help you throughout this challenging time.

Call (855) 948-5098 or contact us online today to learn more about how our Los Angeles drunk driving accident lawyers can help you during a free consultation.

What is Considered Drunk Driving in California?

In California, drunk driving, also known as driving under the influence (DUI), is defined as operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the extent that it impairs your ability to operate the vehicle safely. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in California is typically 0.08% for individuals 21 and older, 0.04% for commercial vehicle drivers, and 0.01% for individuals under 21 years old (zero tolerance law). However, even if your BAC is below these limits, you can still be charged with a DUI if law enforcement determines that your ability to drive is impaired.

Alcohol can affect driving in numerous ways, including:

• Impaired judgment: Alcohol can impair your ability to make sound decisions, leading to risky behaviors on the road.
• Reduced coordination: Alcohol affects your motor skills and coordination, making it difficult to control the vehicle, steer, or brake effectively.
• Slowed reaction time: Alcohol slows down your reflexes, increasing the time it takes to respond to hazards or unexpected situations on the road.
• Decreased concentration: Alcohol can cause lapses in attention and concentration, leading to distracted driving and an increased risk of accidents.
• Blurred vision: Alcohol can impair your vision, making it harder to see clearly and react to changes in traffic conditions.
• Drowsiness: Alcohol can induce drowsiness, increasing the likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel or experiencing fatigue while driving.
• Overconfidence: Alcohol can lead to a false sense of confidence and invincibility, encouraging risky driving behaviors such as speeding or aggressive driving.

Who is Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident?

In California, multiple parties can potentially be held liable for a drunk driving accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Here are the primary parties who may face liability:

• The Impaired Driver: The individual who was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and caused the accident is typically the first party held liable. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in California, and impaired drivers can face both criminal charges and civil liability for any damages or injuries they cause as a result of their actions.
• Alcohol-Serving Establishments: While California doesn't have traditional Dram Shop laws, establishments that serve alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, and liquor stores, may be held partially liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or underage person who later caused a drunk driving accident. This liability is based on general negligence principles rather than specific Dram Shop statutes.
• Social Hosts: Individuals hosting social gatherings or parties where alcohol is served can be held liable if they provide alcohol to a guest who is visibly intoxicated, knowing that the guest will soon be driving. Under California's social host liability laws, hosts may be held responsible for any damages or injuries caused by the intoxicated guest's drunk driving.
• Vehicle Owners: In some cases, the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident may also be held liable, particularly if they allowed someone else to drive their vehicle while knowing or having reason to know that the driver was intoxicated.
• Employers: Employers may be held liable for drunk driving accidents if the intoxicated driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. This could apply to situations where employees are driving company vehicles or conducting work-related tasks while under the influence.
• Government Entities: In rare cases, government entities responsible for road maintenance and safety may be held liable if the accident was caused or exacerbated by hazardous road conditions, inadequate signage, or other factors for which the government entity is responsible.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Drunk Driving Accident?

After being involved in a drunk driving accident, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights. One of the most important things you can do is to hire an experienced attorney to represent you. Your lawyer can handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and your family.

A lawyer can help you after a drunk driving accident by:

• Investigating the accident: Your lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the accident in order to determine how it happened and who is liable. This will involve collecting and analyzing evidence such as police reports, breathalyzer test results, surveillance footage, and more.
• Proving liability: To recover compensation, you will need to prove that another party was liable for the accident. In the case of a drunk driving accident, this might involve proving that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash and that this impaired their ability to drive safely.
• Calculating your damages: Before you accept a settlement offer, you need to know how much your claim is worth. An experienced lawyer can help you calculate the full extent of your damages, including your past and future medical expenses, lost income and wages, pain and suffering, and more.
• Negotiating with the insurance company: Your lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company, including settlement negotiations. They will aggressively advocate for you and fight for a fair settlement offer.
• Filing a lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. They will handle all aspects of your case, from start to finish.
• Taking your case to trial: If your case goes to trial, you will want an experienced trial lawyer on your side. Your attorney can present your case to a judge and jury, aggressively advocating for you every step of the way.

Call (855) 948-5098 or submit an online case evaluation form to get started with our experienced Los Angeles drunk driving accident lawyer at Wisner Baum today.