Beverly Hills Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Beverly Hills Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Throughout the country, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a pervasive issue, and each state has different laws that address this illegal misconduct. In California, state prosecutors seek convictions in DUI cases aggressively, and the penalties a DUI driver can face if convicted can include fines, driver’s license suspension, jail time, and a host of other penalties assigned at the discretion of the judge overseeing their case. These penalties automatically increase when they harm others, and anyone injured by a drunk driver has the right to file a civil suit against them to seek compensation for their damages.

Helping Beverly Hills Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents Recover

If you are recovering from injuries suffered in an accident that a drunk driver caused, a Beverly Hills drunk driving accident attorney is the ideal resource to consult to determine how you can hold them accountable for your damages. Under California’s personal injury laws and the fault rule for resolving car accident cases, the at-fault driver is liable for all the damages they inflicted. However, the illegal nature of their actions can lead to more recovery options than you may expect at first.

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, provide compassionate and responsive legal representation to victims of all types of personal injuries in Beverly Hills. We take time to listen to each client’s story and help them determine the most viable path to recovery. Our firm has helped many past clients secure significant case awards from those who have harmed them, and we are ready to leverage this experience for you.

Proving Liability for Your Drunk Driving Accident

Most of the personal injury claims filed each year arise from acts of negligence, or failure to use reasonable care in certain situations. However, personal injuries also often occur due to intentional and illegal misconduct, drunk driving being a prime example of this that costs the country billions in economic losses each year. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, they are likely to be arrested at the scene of the accident. Medical care will be arranged for all injured parties, and you may be left wondering how to proceed in the aftermath of a damaging and traumatic drunk-driving accident.

It’s vital to work quickly if you want to maximize your recovery. Once you have received medical treatment for your injuries and obtained a medical report from your doctor, you should secure a copy of the police report from the accident and then reach out to a Beverly Hills drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible. You have a limited window of time in which to file your case, and it is always advisable to start the process as soon as possible.

Claiming Compensation for a Drunk Driving Accident in Beverly Hills

The drunk driver who hit you will face criminal charges, and their criminal case may unfold in tandem with the civil claim you file against them to secure compensation for your damages. The personal injury laws say the plaintiff in a drunk driving accident case may recover compensation for:

• Any and all medical treatment they need because of the accident. The at-fault driver is not only responsible for your immediate medical expenses after your accident but also the cost of any ongoing rehabilitative care you will require to achieve maximum medical improvement from your injuries.
• Lost income and lost earning potential. A drunk driving accident has a high chance of causing severe injuries, some of which can prevent victims from working for extended periods of time. In this situation, the plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for their lost income during their immediate recovery period as well as their lost future earning potential if they cannot go back to work due to a permanent disability from the accident.
• Property losses, such as the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle. You may recover some of these losses through your auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, but any remainder can be recovered with your personal injury claim. California law requires every driver to have at least $5,000 in property damage liability coverage with their auto insurance, but this may not be enough to fully cover all the property losses you suffered from your accident.
• Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, and mental suffering from the accident. Your drunk driving accident may cause not only painful injuries but also long-term medical complications and psychological trauma as well. There is no limit to how much pain and suffering a plaintiff may seek in a drunk driving accident claim.
• Punitive damages and/or restitution. A plaintiff may not claim these forms of compensation directly, but a judge may award them at their discretion in response to a defendant’s intentionally harmful behavior. A civil court judge can award punitive damages to penalize a defendant’s illegal misconduct, and/or the judge doing the sentencing in their criminal case may include restitution to the victim as part of their punishment.

Ultimately, you could be legally entitled to claim a significant amount of compensation for the damages you suffered in a drunk driving accident. If you want to maximize your recovery, it is essential to have trustworthy legal counsel to guide you through your case. While you may be able to assess immediately recognizable damages on your own, you have a better chance of recovering as fully as state law allows with an experienced Beverly Hills drunk driving accident attorney representing your case.

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, approach every personal injury case we accept with the goal of helping our client secure as much compensation as state law allows. We take time to learn each client’s unique story, reviewing the total scope of damages they suffered and identifying their optimal paths toward recovery. Our firm has helped many past clients secure substantial case awards from all types of personal injury claims, and we can leverage this professional experience for you in your impending drunk driving accident claim.

FAQs About Beverly Hills, CA Drunk Driving Accident Law

Will the Drunk Driver Who Hit Me Go to Jail?

Jail time is a commonly assigned penalty for a DUI conviction in Beverly Hills, especially when the DUI driver caused severe injury or death with their intoxicated driving. Penalties for DUI typically include a fine, court fees, driver’s license suspension, mandatory drug and alcohol counseling, and incarceration. At the misdemeanor level, the defendant may spend time in county jail, but for a felony, they will be incarcerated in state prison.

How Long Does One Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Beverly Hills?

California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. This means you must file your civil suit against the drunk driver who injured you within 24 months of the accident. This may sound like enough time, but a drunk driving case can be more complex than a standard motor vehicle accident claim, so it is advisable to start the claim filing process as soon as possible.

How Much Is My Drunk Driving Claim Worth in Beverly Hills?

Under the state’s personal injury laws, the victim of a drunk driving accident should reasonably expect to recover compensation for the economic losses they sustained from the accident, reasonable compensation for their pain and suffering, and additional punitive damages and/or restitution awarded at the discretion of a judge. Your Beverly Hills drunk driving attorney can assist you in determining the optimal ways of enhancing your final case award as much as possible.

Must I Hire Legal Representation for My Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

Nothing requires you to hire a Beverly Hills drunk driving accident attorney to help with your recovery. However, do not assume that just because the at-fault driver broke the law that you will have an easy time recovering fair compensation by yourself. You face several significant legal challenges you may not know how to address without an attorney, and trustworthy legal counsel will eliminate the chance of unintentionally settling for less than you rightfully deserve.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Beverly Hills Drunk Driving Accident Attorney?

When you choose Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, to represent you in a drunk driving accident case, we will do everything we can to maximize your final case award, and you will only pay our firm a legal fee if we win your case. There are no upfront legal fees and no ongoing legal expenses under our contingency fee policy, and you owe our firm nothing if we cannot secure compensation for your damages for any reason.

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have the skill and experience you want on your side in the aftermath of a drunk driving accident. If another driver’s illegal recklessness has harmed you, we can help ensure accountability and secure compensation for the damages you suffered. If you are ready to learn more about how our firm can assist in your recovery from a drunk driving accident, get in touch with us today to set up a consultation with our team.