A Beverly Hills drunk driving accident lawyer can assist victims in pursuing compensation for injuries, lost income, and other damages. Drunk driving accidents often result in severe harm, leaving victims to deal with medical bills, emotional distress, and financial challenges. Understanding legal options after an accident is important for those seeking financial recovery.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, accident victims receive dedicated legal representation and personalized support.
Our Beverly Hills car accident lawyer can help victims navigate insurance claims, gather evidence, and pursue fair compensation. Legal representation may be beneficial in securing funds for medical expenses, lost earnings, and long-term care needs.
Critical Steps After a Drunk Driving Accident
A drunk driving accident can leave victims feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. Taking the right steps after a collision can help protect a person’s well-being, support an insurance claim, and provide important details for legal action.
While every situation is different, some general steps can help accident victims begin the recovery process.
Seek Medical Attention
The health and safety of those involved in the crash should be the priority. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation can identify issues such as internal bleeding, concussions, or spinal cord injuries.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If it is safe to do so, accident victims may find it helpful to collect evidence before leaving the scene. This can include:
- Photos and Videos: Images of vehicle damage, injuries, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs can help support a legal claim.
- Witness Information: Contact details from bystanders may help confirm what happened.
- Insurance and Driver Details: Exchanging information with the other driver, including insurance company details and license plate numbers, is an important step.
Understand Your Legal Options
Drunk driving accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and emotional distress. Some cases may also involve punitive damages if the at-fault driver’s actions were particularly reckless.
Each accident comes with its own challenges, and the path to recovery may take time. A Beverly Hills personal injury lawyer can help victims take the necessary steps after a collision and protect their legal interests.
Understanding Liability in Drunk Driving Cases
Drunk driving accidents can cause severe injuries, emotional distress, and financial hardship for those involved. Determining liability is an important part of the legal process when seeking compensation for damages. While the intoxicated driver is often responsible, other parties may also be held accountable, depending on the details of the accident.
The Role of the Drunk Driver
A driver who operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol may be considered negligent if their actions lead to an accident. Alcohol impairs reaction time, coordination, and judgment, increasing the risk of collisions. If a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the California legal limit, they may face both criminal charges and civil liability for injuries and losses suffered by others.
Other Potentially Liable Parties
In some cases, liability may extend beyond the intoxicated driver. Other parties who may share responsibility include:
- Vehicle Owners: If a car owner allows an intoxicated person to drive their vehicle, they may bear some responsibility for the crash.
- Employers: If a drunk driving accident occurs while the driver is performing work duties, the employer may be held liable under certain circumstances.
- Automakers and Repair Shops: If a vehicle malfunction, such as brake failure, contributed to the accident, a product liability claim may arise.
- Local or State Governments: Poorly maintained roads, missing traffic signs, or malfunctioning signals could play a role in a drunk driving crash.
How Liability Affects Compensation
Establishing liability in a drunk driving accident case can impact the financial compensation available to victims. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages such as emotional pain and loss of enjoyment of life. In some situations, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize reckless behavior.
Since every case is different, legal representation may help injured individuals assess their options and determine which parties may be responsible. Holding the negligent party accountable can help victims recover losses and move forward after a serious accident.
(310) 526-8383Types of Damages Available to Victims
Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for various losses. The damages available can be categorized into economic and non-economic losses, each addressing different impacts of the accident.
Medical Expenses and Long-Term Care
Victims of drunk driving accidents may face significant medical costs due to emergency treatment, hospital stays, and rehabilitation. Contacting a Beverly Hills catastrophic injury lawyer can help injured victims recover compensation to cover expenses such as surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
When injuries prevent a victim from returning to work, compensation may include lost wages and future earnings. If an injury results in long-term or permanent disability, the victim may also pursue damages for diminished earning capacity.
Pain, Suffering, and Other Non-Economic Losses
In addition to financial damages, victims may seek compensation for pain and suffering. This can include physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Courts may evaluate factors such as the severity of injuries, the duration of recovery, and the long-term impact on daily life. Additionally, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the at-fault driver’s actions were especially reckless, serving as both punishment and deterrence.
Contact a Beverly Hills Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer at No Cost Today
Recovering from a drunk driving accident can be difficult, both physically and financially. Victims may face extensive medical bills, emotional pain, and challenges returning to their daily lives. Seeking legal representation may help injured persons hold the negligent party accountable and pursue financial compensation.
At Omega Law Group, our legal team understands the challenges victims face after a drunk driving accident and is prepared to advocate for fair compensation. Our firm offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees are only paid if compensation is recovered.
