Injured In A Drunk Driving Accident In California? Know Your Legal Options.

You do your part to drive safely, but you cannot control what other drivers do on the road. When someone chooses to drive after drinking, that choice can put everyone around them at risk. If you were injured by a drunk driver, you may now be dealing with pain, medical bills and changes to your work and daily life after an alcohol-related car accident.

At Collier Law Firm, we take a results-driven approach to personal injury cases. We listen closely, look into what happened and focus on how your injury has affected you. Serving Marin County and the Bay Area, our attorneys pursue the compensation the law allows while keeping your needs at the center of the case.

What Should You Do After A Drunk Driving Accident?

If you were injured by a drunk driver, your first priority should be your health and safety. Once you are safe, these steps can help document the crash and protect your claim.

• Get medical attention: Seek medical care as soon as you can, even if your injuries seem minor. Keep records of your treatment.
• Report the accident: Call 911 and report the crash. The police report may document the driver’s suspected drunk driving.
• Document the scene: If it is safe, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions and visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses.
• Keep important records: Keep medical records, bills, wage information, insurance documents and other records related to the crash.
• Be careful with insurance companies: Avoid statements about fault or your injuries until you understand your rights and how your statement could affect your claim.
• Consider your legal options: Insurance coverage, punitive damages and claims against other parties may depend on what happened.

Our lawyers at Collier Law Firm can review the evidence and explain what legal options may be available based on your injuries and losses.

What Compensation May Be Available?

A drunk driving injury can cause losses that go well beyond the initial medical bills. Depending on your injuries and losses, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, treatment, medication, rehabilitation and other needed medical care.
• Lost income: Wages lost while you recover, as well as future losses if your injuries affect your capacity to work.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the pain, discomfort and emotional impact of your injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation may account for how an injury affects your ability to enjoy activities and daily life.
• Property damage: Losses related to damage to your vehicle and other personal property.
• Punitive damages: California law may allow punitive damages in some cases involving serious misconduct. These damages are separate from compensation for your actual losses.

The compensation available will depend on your injuries and losses. Collier Law Firm can review your claim and explain what you may be able to pursue.

Other Sources Of Recovery

A drunk driver may have little or no insurance, or their coverage may not be enough to cover your losses. Depending on your policy, uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may provide another source of recovery.

A criminal case may also provide restitution for certain financial losses after a conviction. This is separate from a civil injury claim, which can seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. If you share some responsibility for the accident, your compensation may also be reduced under California law.

Can Someone Other Than The Drunk Driver Be Responsible?

The drunk driver may not be the only person responsible. Another person or business may also be involved or provide additional insurance coverage.

California Civil Code section 1714 generally protects people and businesses that provide alcohol from responsibility for injuries caused by someone who drank it. There are some exceptions, including certain situations involving adults who knowingly provide alcohol to someone under 21.

If the drunk driver was using a company or rental vehicle, this may affect who is responsible and what insurance coverage is available. Rideshare crashes may also involve different insurance coverage depending on the driver’s status.

Collier Law Firm can investigate these issues when evaluating your drunk driving injury claim.

Get Help After Being Injured By A Drunk Driver

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, you may be dealing with medical expenses, lost income and other effects of the crash. Contact Collier Law Firm to discuss your injuries, the evidence and the compensation you may be able to pursue.

Call 628-600-7204 or send us a message to schedule a free case evaluation and initial consultation.