Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Drunk Driving Accidents

Are you the victim of a drunk driver’s recklessness? Have you experienced an injury after an accident caused by a drunk driver? You have rights under the law, and with the help of an experienced and dedicated Dordulian Law Group attorney, you can file a lawsuit and recover financial damages after the accident. Unfortunately, drunk driving accidents happen each and every day, and the effects can be devastating. If you’re involved in a drunk driving accident, it’s critical that your rights are protected. The laws regarding drunk driving liability can be difficult to interpret, however, and you need an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney to help you navigate through the recovery process by providing legal advice, support, and representation. You need an expert drunk driving attorney at Dordulian Law Group, the Los Angeles-area firm with the best reputation, success rate, and experience to ensure you receive the financial damages award you deserve after an unfortunate drunk driving accident.

What is Drunk Driving?

Drunk driving (also commonly known as driving under the influence (DUI), impaired driving, drug-impaired driving, operating while intoxicated (OWI), or driving while intoxicated) is the criminal act of operating or controlling a motor vehicle while being impaired by alcohol or drugs (any substance that leads to cognitive or physical impairment, including legal prescription drugs, illicit street drugs, and alcohol). By definition, a drunk driver is incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. Under the law, driving while impaired is a punishable offense that can lead to multiple charges ranging in severity.

Drunk Driving Statistics:

Each day nearly 30 people die in the United States due to drunk driving accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Approximately one-third of all car accident fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk driving where blood alcohol levels of drivers are .08 g/dL or higher. A person’s blood alcohol level (technically referred to as blood alcohol concentration or BAC) refers to a measurement of the percentage of alcohol in one’s blood stream. If someone has a BAC of .10%, that means the individual’s blood supply contains one part alcohol for every 1000 parts blood.

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Legal BAC or blood alcohol levels vary by state, meaning that although you could be pulled over and cited for drunk driving with a .15% BAC in one state, operating a vehicle with that same level in a different state might not be considered an illegal infraction (i.e. because their specific state illegal BAC level might be .17%).

Illegal Blood Alcohol Content Levels According to State:

• Alabama: 0.15%
• Alaska: 0.15% (harsher penalties can be enforced at the judge’s discretion)
• Arizona: 0.15%
• Arkansas: 0.15%
• California: 0.15%
• Colorado: 0.15%
• Connecticut: 0.16%
• Delaware: 0.16%
• Washington, DC: 0.2% and 0.25%
• Florida: 0.20%
• Georgia: 0.15%
• Hawaii: 15%
• Idaho: 0.2 %
• Illinois: 0.16%
• Indiana: 0.15%
• Kansas: 0.15%
• Kentucky: 0.18%
• Louisiana: 0.15% and 0.2%
• Maine: 0.15%
• Massachusetts: 0.2% (for ages 17-21)
• Michigan: 0.17%
• Minnesota: 0.16%
• Missouri: 0.15%
• Montana: 0.16%
• Nebraska: .15%
• Nevada: 0.18%
• New Hampshire: 0.16%
• New Jersey: 0.10%
• New Mexico: 0.16%
• New York: 0.18%
• North Carolina: 0.15%
• North Dakota: 0.18%
• Ohio: 0.17%
• Oklahoma: 0.15%
• Oregon: 0.15%
• Pennsylvania: 0.1%
• Rhode Island: 0.1% and 0.15%
• South Dakota: 0.17%
• Indiana: 0.2%
• Texas: 0.15%
• Vermont: 0.16%
• Virginia: 0.15% and 0.2%
• Washington: 0.15%
• West Virginia: 0.15%
• Wisconsin: 0.17%, 0.2%, and 0.25%
• Wyoming: 0.15%

It’s important to remember that states frequently revise their laws related to drunk driving, and the policies and enforcement of regulations can change from year-to-year. Therefore, while this list is current in 2020, it could change incrementally over the years along with individual state policies and regulations.

In California, blood alcohol concentration limits vary by age and type of driver:

California Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits
21 years old or older	0.08% or higher
Less than 21 years old	0.01% or higher
On DUI probation (any age)	0.01% or higher
Driving a commercial driver’s licensed (CDL) vehicle (whether or not the driver has a CDL)	0.04% or higher
When a passenger for hire is in the vehicle	0.04% or higher

Regarding how different blood alcohol content levels affect the human body, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiled the following chart to demonstrate the typical effects of increased alcohol consumption, and how that behavior can impact one’s ability to operate a vehicle:

The Effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration

The Effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration
BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC) IN G/DL	TYPICAL EFFECTS	PREDICTABLE EFFECTS ON DRIVING
.02	Some loss of judgment; relaxation, slight body warmth, altered mood	Decline in visual functions (rapid tracking of a moving target), decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention)
.05	Exaggerated behavior, may have loss of small-muscle control (e.g., focusing your eyes), impaired judgment, usually good feeling, lowered alertness, release of inhibition	Reduced coordination, reduced ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering, reduced response to emergency driving situations
.08	Muscle coordination becomes poor (e.g., balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing), harder to detect danger; judgment, self-control, reasoning, and memory are impaired	Concentration, short-term memory loss, speed control, reduced information processing capability (e.g., signal detection, visual search), impaired perception
.10	Clear deterioration of reaction time and control, slurred speech, poor coordination, and slowed thinking	Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately
.15	Far less muscle control than normal, vomiting may occur (unless this level is reached slowly or a person has developed a tolerance for alcohol), major loss of balance	Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving task, and in necessary visual and auditory information processing

Nationwide, drunk driving is a serious problem that, despite being entirely preventable, generates sobering statistics each year. In 2018, 10,511 deaths from drunk driving crashes occurred in the U.S. Of the 1,233 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2016, 214 (17%) involved an alcohol-impaired driver. In 2016, more than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Sadly, that figure represents one percent of the 111 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.

The Centers for Disease Control found that in California, between 2003-2012, 10,327 people were killed in car crashes that involved a drunk driver. In 2012, the rate of deaths by age (per 100,000 population) was lower in California when compared to the national average (with the national average being 3.3, and the California average being 2).

However, drunk driving on California roads remains a serious problem that tragically affects thousands across our communities every year. In California, a CDC report indicated that 1.8% of drivers report getting behind the wheel after drinking too much (nationwide, 1.9% of citizens report engaging in drunk driving).

Drunk driving accidents are senseless, often resulting in preventable tragedies. However, there is some good news regarding drunk driving trends over the past three decades. Fatalities related to drunk driving accidents have actually fallen by one-third in the last 30 years, likely due to increased education and an overall public stigma related to the behavior. Despite that positive news, deaths and damages related to drunk driving accidents still contribute to costs of approximately $44 billion annually.

Your Legal Right to File a Claim

If you are injured after an accident caused by a drunk driver, you have rights under the law that must be protected. The steps you take immediately following a drunk driving accident can have a significant effect on those rights. Accordingly, after being injured in a drunk driving accident, the first call you need to make is to an expert Dordulian Law Group personal injury attorney who will ensure you aren’t taken advantage of by anyone including the at-fault driver, the driver’s insurance company, or even your insurance company.

All victims of drunk driving accidents are eligible for a financial damages award related to any injuries sustained. Whether you sustained a minor injury in a drunk driving fender bender, or catastrophic injuries in a severe drunk driving crash, you need to be properly compensated for damages. But choosing the best personal injury lawyer, like an experienced expert from DLG, can have a dramatic effect on the type of award/financial compensation you receive. You need an attorney who has decades of experience fighting for drunk driving accident victims and winning them the financial damages awards they deserve. You need a DLG attorney to guarantee your drunk driving accident case is handled properly, and you get the largest possible award for financial damages allowable under your specific circumstances.

Liability in Drunk Driving Accidents

In California, a driver arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) has their driver’s license confiscated on the spot by the law enforcement officer involved. After the license is confiscated the driver is then served with the California Department of Motor Vehicle’s “Notice of Suspension” document. Drivers have the right to an administrative hearing where they may contest the suspension, but said hearing must be scheduled through the court system within 10 calendar days of the arrest.

Immediate suspension for drunk driving is imposed in California whenever an impaired driver is found to have a BAC level of .08% or higher (.01% for drivers under 21). It is also imposed when a driver provides a blood or urine sample, which the arresting police officer believes will be found (after proper testing) to be .08% or higher, or when a driver refuses to undergo a BAC chemical test.

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In terms of the penalties for drunk drivers in California, multiple circumstances need to be considered that affect the ultimate punishment received. As DUI (driving under the influence) cases in California can vary dramatically by detail, facts related to each case (known technically as ‘aggravating and mitigating factors’) must be considered when determining a sentence. The maximum and minimum penalties that can be imposed by a judge are determined according to statutes. For example, if a driver has multiple previous DUI convictions and a judge is making a determination on sentencing, he or she will consult specific statutes on allowable ranges (in terms of years that must be served in jail and fines or settlement awards that must be paid).

Examples of criminal sentences and penalties for drunk drivers in California include:

California DUI Penalties
	1st Offense	2nd Offense	3rd Offense
Jail	Up to 6 months	96 hours to 1 year	120 days to 1 year
Fines and Penalties	$390 to $1,000	$390 to $1,000	Up to $1,800
License Suspension	6 months	2 years	3 years
Interlock ignition device (IID)	Up to 6 months or 12-month restricted license	1 year	2 years

In addition to criminal penalties like the above examples, drunk drivers also face civil penalties for their responsibility in injuring another driver or damaging their property. To pursue a civil lawsuit after being injured by a drunk driver, you will need a personal injury attorney like the experts at Dordulian Law Group who have handled and won countless drunk driving cases for clients like you.

Civil penalties for drunk drivers can vary considerably from case-to-case. The extent of liability that a drunk driver must face can depend on factors such as the severity of the injuries sustained by the other party, and the severity of any physical damage to objects such as the involved vehicles, property, or possessions of the driver. At Dordulian Law Group, when someone is injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver our experienced team of lawyers fights to ensure the victim is compensated financially. That includes compensation for any damages including physical pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, loss of work, disability, and much more. Each drunk driving case is unique, which is why we thoroughly investigate the specific facts related to every individual case we handle. Doing so helps ensure you receive the largest possible financial award after experiencing an unfortunate drunk driving accident.

If you experienced an injury after an accident, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Challenges in Drunk Driving Cases

Drunk driving cases, like all personal injury cases, require considerable evidence to be discovered and then presented in court. In order for a drunk driving case to be successful, and a victim to receive financial compensation, proving the at-fault driver’s liability is required. In drunk driving cases the most important piece of evidence is the chemical test determining the driver’s BAC, which is recovered by police officials on the scene. However, if you are the victim of a drunk driving accident and are pursuing a civil lawsuit for damages, it’s important to maintain your own thorough and detailed records that could eventually be included as evidence.

Such evidence can include:

• Pictures from the scene of the accident
• Pictures of your injuries
• Medical records detailing your injuries
• Medical bills
• Car insurance statements and any correspondence with your insurance company
• Bills for damages sustained by your vehicle or property

What Should You Do if You Are a Victim of Drunk Driving?

If you are the victim of a drunk driver, you deserve swift justice regardless of the severity of your injuries or damage to your property. Drunk drivers are a menace to society, and must not be tolerated. Accordingly, we must ensure that drunk drivers are prosecuted to the full extent of the law, in criminal as well as civil court.

For a civil punishment to be imposed, and for you to recover a financial award for any damages you incurred, you need a talented and experienced personal injury lawyer who is an expert at handling drunk driving cases. You need a DLG drunk driving attorney who will fight for you and your rights under the law.

If you’re involved in a drunk driving accident, your first decision after the crash should be to call one of our expert attorneys at 866-GO-SEE-SAM, and provide them with all the details related to your case. Time is of the essence in drunk driving cases, and it’s important that you have a dedicated personal injury lawyer handling your case immediately following the actual incident. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you or try to violate your rights under the law. Call a DLG drunk driving lawyer today and be protected by having a fierce advocate on your side who will fight for every dollar you’re owed, helping to ensure your recovery process is smooth and free of unnecessary stress. Enduring the painful experience of a drunk driving accident can be difficult, and you shouldn’t be burdened by any undue additional details or inconveniences. Let the drunk driving experts at DLG handle those issues so you can focus on what’s most important – your physical recovery and overall well-being.

Recovering Financial Damages for a Drunk Driving Accident

When you’re injured in a drunk driving accident, you want the at-fault party to pay for their recklessness. You want the drunk driver to pay for the injuries they caused you, and any additional effects the accident may have had on your life. In additional to receiving harsh criminal penalties for such disgraceful behavior, drunk drivers need to be punished in civil court so the accident victim may be compensated for damages.

At Dordulian Law Group, we help drunk driving accident victims recover financial damages, ensuring drunk drivers are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Our expert personal injury attorneys comprise the best and most successful team of drunk driving case specialists in Los Angeles. Fighting for the financial damages you are owed is our specialty, and we have the experience and dedication required to take on and win your case. We fight with drunk drivers (and lawyers representing drunk drivers) every day, not to mention the insurance companies and medical providers. We know how to win against these individuals who are fighting against you, determined to reduce your damages award and save themselves money whenever possible.

Don’t put the import responsibility of winning your drunk driving case in the hands of an inexperienced attorney who may jeopardize your potential financial damages award. Choose an experienced lawyer from DLG who will give you peace of mind throughout the entire process, allowing you to recover quickly. When you choose DLG, you can be confident that we’ll fight and win the largest possible financial damages award for you.

Client Review

“Thanks for everything that you did with my no insurance car accident. Anthony right away got me the medical treatment I needed , Anthony and Rafi made this whole process a pleasure to work with believe it or not! I appreciate the promptness, professionalism and stellar customer service thank you for your commitment. If someone needs an accident lawyer I would definitely recommend Dordulian Law Group is the best!!!”
Mariana P.