Everyone on the road is put at risk when an individual decides to drive while drunk. Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) slows reaction time, and thousands of serious crashes are caused every year as a result. If you were injured in one of these drunk driving car accidents in Calabasas, you may be facing a long recovery in multiple aspects of your life.

A skilled car accident lawyer could help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Drunk driving accidents often involve complex legal issues, and working with an attorney who understands the state’s DUI laws and the personal injury process could be critical to getting justice.

How Alcohol Impairs Driving and Leads to Crashes

Alcohol affects nearly every part of a person’s ability to drive safely by reducing focus, coordination, and reaction time. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability to control a vehicle.

When a driver exceeds the 0.08 percent legal limit for blood alcohol concentration and causes a crash, they are not only breaking state law—they are acting with negligence.

Victims of DUI-related accidents can suffer serious consequences, including:

These injuries often require long-term care or rehabilitation. After a drunk driving car accident, victims in Calabasas may be unable to work or care for themselves. They can face a lifetime of medical costs as a result.

How Is Liability Established in a DUI Accident?

Drunk driving crash claims in Calabasas typically involve a combination of criminal and civil proceedings. While the state handles criminal charges, a personal injury claim is filed by the injured party to seek financial compensation.

To succeed in a civil claim, you must show that the at-fault driver was negligent. A conviction for DUI could serve as strong evidence in this context. However, a civil case does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It requires demonstrating that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s intoxication caused the crash.

Evidence that could support a DUI accident claim includes:

  • Breath or blood test results
  • Arrest and conviction records
  • Police reports
  • Witness testimony
  • Dashcam or surveillance footage
  • Accident reconstruction expert analysis

A personal injury attorney could help gather this evidence and build a case that holds the alcohol-impaired driver accountable. In some situations, other parties may also share liability, such as bars or restaurants that overserved the driver under the state’s dram shop liability laws.

Damages Available to Victims of Drunk Driving Crashes

Victims of DUI accidents in Calabasas may be eligible to recover damages, including:

  • Medical bills for emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation
  • Future medical expenses for ongoing treatment
  • Lost wages from missed work
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage to the vehicle or personal items
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

In particularly egregious cases, the court may also award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the at-fault party for dangerous behavior, and driving under the influence often qualifies as such behavior.

Call Our Lawyers in Calabasas Today About DUI Car Crashes

If you were harmed by an alcohol-impaired driver, you deserve accountability. Drunk driving is a choice that causes preventable harm to others. At Swift Justice, we believe that those who act irresponsibly on the road should be held fully accountable for the damage they cause.

Call Swift Justice today to speak with a lawyer who handles drunk driving car accidents in Calabasas. We are here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.

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