Fontana Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk Driving Accidents in Fontana, CA

Drunk driving is a serious problem in California, including Fontana. Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by drunk drivers across the state. If you’re one of them, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable party. Work with a Fontana drunk driving accident lawyer to hold the drunk driver accountable and get the compensation you need to pay medical bills and make up for lost wages.

Trust Duque & Price

You can trust the team here at Duque & Price to help you with your drunk driving accident case. We’ve been practicing personal injury law for years. In that time, we’ve seen all kinds of drunk driving accident claims ranging from relatively minor wounds to severe, life-altering injuries. No matter what kind of injuries you sustained during your accident, it’s worth scheduling a consultation to find out if you have the grounds to pursue a claim.

Why Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

In 2023, there were 72 people killed or seriously injured in alcohol-involved crashes. That same year, there were 203 DUI arrests. Four of them were arrested at just one checkpoint set up in January of that year. For those who have been injured or lost loved ones to a drunk driving accident, it doesn’t matter how many or few people get arrested for their crimes. What matters is holding the one person responsible for your accident accountable.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one, you can hire a drunk driving accident lawyer in Fontana to help you. You won’t just be able to take advantage of laws that allow you to collect damages. You’ll also be taking an important step toward holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions. Your lawyer can help you by:

• Filing paperwork
• Keeping track of deadlines
• Gathering evidence
• Constructing a narrative of the events
• Determining liability
• Negotiating with insurance companies

If your case must go to court, your lawyer can also provide trial litigation. Whether your claim goes to court or gets resolved during negotiations, having a skilled attorney on your side is an effective way to improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Damages You Could Demand in Your DUI Accident Case

As with all car accidents, victims of DUI accidents can demand compensation for the financial and non-economic losses they experienced as a result of the crash. While the damages are often more serious in drunk driving cases, they’re the same as those recovered during any car accident. They include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost future income
• Property damage
• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

Punitive damages are unlike compensatory damages in that they are designed to punish defendants. The Fontana Superior Court at 17780 Arrow Blvd tends to award punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s recklessness was particularly egregious. This may be the case if their BAC was especially high or they have a history of prior drunk driving incidents.

What if You Were Partially at Fault?

In California, it doesn’t matter if you were partially at fault for your accident. You are still allowed to file a claim. It can simply be reduced by the percentage of liability you’re assigned. That means if your initial claim was for $100,000, but you’re found to be 20% at fault, you’ll receive $80,000 instead.

Drunk Driving Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims

If you lost a loved one to a drunk driving accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims can only be filed by surviving partners, children, or personal representatives. These claims can cover:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional pain and suffering
• The deceased’s medical bills
• Loss of the deceased’s income

FAQs

How Much Can I Get in a Settlement for a Drunk Driving Accident in California?

There is no way to say how much you get in a settlement for a drunk driving accident in California because every crash is so different. Your settlement amount depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the amount of liability you held for the accident, and how skilled your lawyer is at negotiating with insurance companies. You can improve your chances of getting fairly compensated with an experienced Fontana drunk driving accident attorney.

What Happens if You Get in an Accident While Drunk in California?

If you get in an accident while drunk in California, you could face immediate arrest and significant criminal charges in addition to license suspension, heavy fines, and civil liability for any damages you caused. If you caused injury to another person, you can expect to face prison time in addition to the possibility of a civil claim filed against you to cover damages such as medical care, lost wages, pain, and suffering.

What Is the Three-Hour Rule for DUI in California?

The three-hour rule for DUI in California refers to the presumption that if you measured a blood alcohol content of 0.08% BAC or higher within three hours of driving, that was also your BAC while you were behind the wheel. This rule allows prosecutors to use test results taken after the fact, often at the police station, as evidence of drunk driving to secure a DUI conviction.

What Percent of DUI Cases Get Dismissed in California?

Only a small percentage of DUI cases get dismissed in California. Cases typically get dismissed due to a lack of evidence following a defense lawyer’s motion to suppress evidence on the basis of the violation of their client’s constitutional rights or procedural errors on the part of law enforcement officials. It doesn’t matter if a criminal case gets dismissed. You can still pursue a civil claim with the help of a Fontana drunk driving accident attorney.

Your Fontana Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car crash with another driver who was drunk behind the wheel, you need to hire a Fontana drunk driving accident lawyer right away. You can turn to the team here at Duque & Price for help. We’ve been practicing personal injury law for years, and in that time, we’ve gained a deep understanding of drunk driving accident laws and how to leverage them to get our clients fairly compensated. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.