As the world slowly begins to open back up again, more people are making their way back onto the roads as life before the pandemic slowly resumes. This also means, however, that there may be an uptick in drunk driving again as people return to gatherings and celebrations. When accidents caused by drunk driving take place, they are often tragic—and frequently deadly. These preventable and highly consequential accidents are entirely preventable, and those who are at fault when these accidents take place must be held accountable.
According to a recent local news report, authorities suspect the influence of alcohol played a role in a deadly six-car crash on a California freeway. According to Sacramento law enforcement, a Ford car was speeding erratically in and out of lanes at times exceeding 90 miles per hour. Minutes later, the Ford slammed into the back of a Chrysler, initiating the chain-reaction crash involving six vehicles. At least one person was killed after the accident, with another hospitalized with serious injuries. The driver suspected of causing the crash and one other person suffered minor injuries. Following the driver’s release from the hospital, he was arrested.
When you are injured or someone you love is killed because of a crash caused by a drunk or intoxicated driver, you may be able to sue for damages. If you are considering filing a lawsuit for damages, the driver does not need to be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) before a civil claim can be filed for compensation.
In California, potential plaintiffs in DUI cases involve passengers of the DUI driver’s vehicle, occupants of other vehicles, and pedestrians. Plaintiffs in these cases must establish in their claims that the DUI driver was acting negligently while operating their vehicle. This means that potential plaintiffs must prove that the driver failed to use reasonable care to prevent harm to others, or that they were driving while under the influence or driving with a blood alcohol concentration past California’s legal limit.
Following an accident caused by drunk driving, you may be entitled to several kinds of compensation. If you were injured or are suffering from long-term physical or mental ailments as a result of the accident, potential plaintiffs are able to collect damages for medical bills and pain and suffering endured. In addition, if your injuries result in you needing to take time off from work which unexpectedly limits your ability to collect your typical income, potential plaintiffs can also receive damages for lost wages or lost earning capacity. Compensation for vehicle repair bills following an accident are also available. In some cases, you may also recover punitive damages, which are designed to deter the driver from committing the act again.
Do You Need a California Personal Injury Attorney?
If you or someone you know has been recently injured in a California drunk driving accident, contact the attorneys at the Sharifi Firm today for assistance. Our team of lawyers is dedicated to ensuring that you effectively pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 866-422-7222 for a free initial consultation.