Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Sacramento

24/7 Sacramento DUI Accident Legal Support

If you’ve been involved in a drunk driving accident, you understand just how devastating these collisions can be. Drunk drivers account for a large percentage of all vehicle collisions in the U.S., even though these accidents are completely preventable. Drunk drivers can cause serious injuries to other drivers. Catastrophic injuries and even wrongful deaths are not uncommon in these accidents.

After a drunk driving accident, you need the skilled representation of an experienced attorney. At Del Rio & Caraway, P.C., our Sacramento drunk driving accident lawyers have 50 years of combined legal experience and can powerfully represent your rights and circumstances. Whether your case ends in settlement or in trial, our team can walk you through every step of your circumstances and help you make informed decisions about your future.

Understanding the Impact of Drunk Driving in Sacramento

Drunk driving is responsible for over 30 deaths per day in the United States. That equals over 11,000 preventable deaths each year from drunk driving accidents alone. A blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is considered intoxication. When a person chooses to drive, even with impaired judgement and slowed reaction times, he or she endangers the lives of everyone around them.

Seeking Justice: Compensation for DUI Accident Victims

If an intoxicated driver causes an accident, they will more than likely be able to be held liable for the injuries they have caused.

In addition, the drunk driver may also face punitive damages. These are essentially additional fines that are intended to provide the injured with further help and punish the driver.

Legal Options After a DUI Accident: Criminal vs. Civil Actions

In many cases, a drunk driver will be arrested and face criminal charges. Criminal proceedings are in place to punish the drunk driver for his or her careless behavior and protect the public from future harm by serving as a deterrent. Even if a drunk driver has not caused an accident or injury, they can still face criminal charges for DUI.

In California, if you are hurt by a drunk driver, you also have the right to sue for compensation for your injuries. The driver does not need to be convicted of DUI in order to file a lawsuit; criminal and criminal proceedings are separate.

Plaintiffs who can sue for injuries suffered in a DUI accident include:

• Passengers in the driver’s vehicle
• Occupants of other vehicles
• Pedestrians and bicyclists

If you are a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit against a drunk driver, you must prove driver negligence under California law.

A driver is considered negligent if:

• They fail to use reasonable care to prevent harm to others.
• They are negligent “per se,” meaning that they are presumed to have acted negligently by violating a statute such as driving under the influence and refusing to take a DUI breath test.

At Del Rio & Caraway, P.C., we are in your corner to help you recover compensation after another party’s actions caused you harm. We offer free consultations to all new clients. We’ll answer any questions you may have about your rights and the legal process. Our firm accepts cases on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay unless we win your case.

The Effects of Alcohol on Driving Skills

You may have heard people say that they will “be good” and just have one drink because they are driving. However, consuming just one drink can still impact a person’s ability to operate a vehicle. Buzzed driving is still dangerous.

Although the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is .08 in California, even having a small amount of alcohol in your system can impair driving abilities.

Here’s what happens at each BAC level:

• .02 BAC - Loss of judgment, more relaxed, and mood changes.
• .05 BAC - Lack of vision, focus, impaired judgment, less alert, lowered inhibitions.
• .08 BAC - Poor balance, slower reaction time, lack of self-control, impaired memory.
• .10 BAC - Even more decreased reaction time, slurred speech, and lack of coordination.
• .15 BAC - Vomiting, severe loss of balance, severe lack of vision, focus, and judgment.

When drunk drivers make the selfish decision to get behind the wheel, they should be held accountable for their actions. The aftermath of a drunk driving accident can mean a long road to recovery along with mounting medical expenses. You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, and our firm is here to support you throughout the entire process.

Let us protect your rights while you focus on healing from your injuries.

Need a Sacramento DUI Accident Attorney? Contact Del Rio & Caraway, P.C. today at (916) 229-6755 for a free consultation!