Drunk Driving Accident

Drunk Driving Accidents in Santa Ana & Riverside

Santa Ana & Riverside Car Accident Attorney

It is the right and responsibility of each driver to take certain precautions before they get behind the wheel. When a driver chooses to behave recklessly or negligently, they may be held accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to illegal actions such as driving under the influence.

At KAL Attorneys, we recognize that if you have been injured due to a drunk driver, that you should not have to deal with the ramifications on your own. We can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and we will not charge you unless we recover on your behalf.


Call our Santa Ana and Riverside drunk driving accident lawyers at (714) 881-7300 for a free consultation of your case.


The Dangers of Drunk Driving

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2003-2012 there were 10, 327 people killed in alcohol-related accidents in California alone. Even though the legal limit is .08 percent, many drivers have confessed to driving when they knew they had drank too much.

Unfortunately, when people choose to take to the road while under the influence of alcohol or other substances, they are putting not only their lives, but others at risk too. Alcohol and controlled substances make for delayed reaction times, fatigue, and impaired judgment.


If you were hit by a drunk driver in Santa Ana and Riverside, financial help may be available to cover your hospital expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.


Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Accident Case

Under California Civil Code Section 3294, punitive damages may be available for the injured parties in a drunk driving collision, “where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.” The plaintiff may be eligible to receive additional damages as a way of punishing the defendant.

In order to prove that the drunk driving accident was a result of malice, the plaintiff must prove the following five things:

  1. The defendant voluntarily drank alcohol or took illegal controlled substances
  2. The defendant knew that they would be driving a vehicle
  3. The defendant drove the motor vehicle while intoxicated
  4. The defendant was aware of the potential consequences of driving while intoxicated
  5. The defendant willingly chose not to avoid these potential consequences

If the plaintiff can establish these things to be true, the value of their injury case may be significantly increased. The hope is that punitive damages will also deter the responsible party from participating in further instances of drunk driving.

It can be difficult to prove all of these elements of a drunk driving accident case on your own, which is why it is important to have relentless legal counsel with you from the start of your case.

 

Personal Injury Representation You Can Trust

Know that when you come to KAL Attorneys that you are working with a team of Santa Ana and Riverside auto accident lawyers who truly care about you. We seek to produce fair compensation, no matter how complicated the injury claim may be.

Striving to deliver top-notch legal help, we make ourselves available 24/7 because we recognize that you may have questions that need answers quickly. Since you do not pay any upfront fees and your first consultation is free, you have nothing to lose by calling our injury firm today.


With services available in English and Spanish, call KAL Attorneys today for a free evaluation.