Drunk driving is an especially dangerous behavior that not only puts the intoxicated driver at risk but also everyone else who shares the road with them. Other drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians are all at increased risk of harm when a drunk driver is nearby. And collisions caused by these drivers can cause catastrophic and life-changing injuries.
If you were struck by a drunk driver in Beverly Hills, California, call Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 736-2866 or contact us online for a free consultation with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Beverly Hills. Our lawyers can help you get the medical treatment you need and assist you in seeking financial recovery from the at-fault driver.
Drunk Driving Cases We Handle in Beverly Hills
Our Beverly Hills personal injury lawyers have experience handling various types of drunk driving accident cases, including:
- Rear-end accidents caused by intoxicated drivers, falling asleep behind the wheel, or misjudging distances
- Head-on and sideswipe collisions caused by intoxicated drivers drifting into other lanes
- Wrong-way accidents caused by intoxicated drivers going down one-way roads or entering the highway in the wrong direction
- Hit-and-run collisions caused by intoxicated drivers fleeing the scene of the accident
- Pedestrian accidents caused by intoxicated drivers striking pedestrians on the side of the road or while they are crossing the road
No matter what kind of accident the drunk driver who harmed you caused, our compassionate legal professionals can help you seek the compensation you need.
Drunk Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving is one of the leading causes of fatal motor vehicle accidents, with 34 people dying in intoxicated driver crashes every day. In a recent year, impaired driving took the lives of 12,429 people, including the intoxicated drivers themselves, other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
The NHTSA’s data also shows that over 2,000 people were killed by impaired drivers who had less than the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC), showing the impact even a small amount of alcohol can have on one’s ability to drive a vehicle safely.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that alcohol-impaired driving accounts for 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the country. Alcohol is also a contributing factor in 21 percent of traffic fatalities among children 14 and younger.
Drunk Driving Accident Case Example
In one particularly serious drunk driving accident case our firm handled, our client suffered injuries that left him paralyzed after a drunk driver struck him. Initially, the drunk driver’s insurance company claimed our client was to blame for the accident and refused to pay the $75,000 policy limit. So, we took the case to trial and secured a far more favorable verdict of $125 million after only four weeks of litigation. This verdict became the largest personal injury verdict in California for that year.
While most car accident cases conclude with insurance company settlements before ever needing to go to trial, our lawyers prepare as though we’re going to take every case all the way to court. This gives us an edge in settlement negotiations and means we’re better prepared if a trial is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about drunk driving accidents in Beverly Hills. Our lawyers can answer additional questions you have regarding the specifics of your case during your free initial consultation.
Does California have a dram shop law?
Many states have so-called “dram shop” laws that allow those injured by intoxicated individuals to hold the establishments that furnished alcohol to them liable for their damages. For example, if a bar serves a visually intoxicated patron, it may be liable for the resulting car accident.
However, unlike other states, California doesn’t have a blanket dram shop law. Instead, California law explicitly states, “No social host who furnishes alcoholic beverages to any person may be held legally accountable for damages suffered by that person, or for injury to the person or property of, or death of, any third person, resulting from the consumption of those beverages.” The only exception to this is when the person who was provided alcohol was under 21 at the time.
If an underage driver caused a collision due to intoxication, you may be able to hold the party that provided them with alcohol liable for your injuries.
What are my options for recovering compensation if the drunk driver flees the scene?
If the drunk driver who struck you flees the scene, it may be challenging to identify them and file a liability coverage claim against their auto insurance. However, your lawyer and the police can investigate the incident and track down the perpetrator so you can hold them financially liable for the harm they caused.
While waiting for police to identify the driver, you can seek compensation by filing an uninsured motorist claim with your auto insurance provider. You should have uninsured motorist coverage unless you opted out of it when purchasing your policy, as California requires all insurance providers to offer it by default.
If the police later identify the drunk driver, your insurance company will file a claim against them to recover the compensation it paid to you. You don’t have to worry about seeking compensation from the driver at that point unless you have additional damages not covered by your uninsured motorist claim.
How can I prove liability after a drunk driving crash in Beverly Hills?
Proving liability after a drunk driving crash in Beverly Hills requires your lawyer to collect various types of evidence. Some evidence that is useful in all car accident cases includes:
- Accident scene photographs
- Photographs of your visible injuries
- Traffic or dashboard camera footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness testimony, such as from crash reconstruction specialists
- Your medical records
In drunk driving accidents, the at-fault driver’s blood alcohol concentration and the results of their field sobriety tests may also be valuable evidence. However, you may need the police officer who conducted the tests to testify as a witness so that they can be admissible in court.
Why should I choose Dordick Law Corporation to handle my Beverly Hills drunk driving accident case?
By choosing Dordick Law Corporation to handle your Beverly Hills drunk driving accident, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. Our lawyers will do everything in their power to maximize your compensation. Some of the key ways our legal team will handle your case are:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident to identify the at-fault party and collect the evidence necessary to hold them liable for your damages
- Calculating your damages and seeking fair compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Handling all communication with the insurance company and negotiating with them on your behalf to seek a fair settlement
- Representing your case in court if the insurance company refuses to offer a settlement that covers all of your losses
When you hire our firm, you don’t have to worry about missing deadlines or filing paperwork for your claim. Our lawyers will handle everything for you so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Contact Our Beverly Hills Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Since 1987, our firm has been representing injury victims in settlement negotiations and at trial, helping them seek financial recovery. Over the decades, we’ve recovered millions for our injured clients, and our team is prepared to put its experience to work for you.
If a drunk driver caused a collision that injured you, contact Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 736-2866 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Beverly Hills drunk driving accident lawyers. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer your questions about seeking the compensation you deserve.
