How is damage recovery managed after a DUI accident in San Diego? 

California – October 31, 2022

San Diego travelers or pedestrians who are injured in an accident involving DUI should explore all options toward damage recovery for the harmful losses they experience. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately one-third of all U.S. traffic deaths are alcohol-related to some degree. In 2020, 11,654 people suffered fatal injury in alcohol related crashes in the United States. Surviving family of loves ones lost to these accidents should seek legal counsel to file wrongful death claims for such a severe impact to their lives. A California personal injury attorney can answer accident victim’s questions regarding damage recovery options.

Car Insurance and liability.

Car insurance is a requirement for California drivers and provides a means to cover costs related to harmful losses resulting from a car accident, but there may be complications with insurance claims when he accident was caused by a criminal act such as DUI.  Experienced car accident lawyers can guide accident victims on methods to file their claims successfully. California law recognizes responsibility for any part of negligent acts that lead to injury of another person, and insurance compensation is adjusted in accordance with the percentage of fault assigned to each driver.  A San Diego injury lawyer can assist victims with the valuation of damages after an accident that will usually include economic and non-economic damages.  There are rare instances when punitive damages are awarded and an accident attorney can explain the possibility of punitive damages for individual cases when DUI is involved.

Illegal activity and insurance payout.

While criminal charges can range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time, the illegal conduct will impact the way insurance companies agree to pay claims.  Consultation with San Diego car accident lawyers is a prudent option to make certain that all avenues of fiscal recovery are addressed.

The importance of medical screening after a crash.

Accident victims should seek medical screening with a doctor, or hospital after an accident, regardless of obvious personal injury.  In many cases, a person who does not believe they were injured and has no injury noted by the naked eye, may have sustained significant damage, including brain injury, spinal injury, or other internal damage.  Medical personnel must run diagnostic testing to determine if the accident victim has been cleared of these possible injuries.  Traumatic brain injury, concussions, or other brain conditions should be ruled out after a car accident to prevent further harmful losses  to the victim.  These records are an integral part of case building in a civil personal injury case.

Hire a qualified lawyer.

DUI accident victims, or their surviving loved ones in the case of a fatal crash, should seek counsel at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates as soon as possible after a DUI motor vehicle accident for guidance in the recovery of harmful losses that may include hospital and medical bills, lost wages, property damages, future care for residual injury, and pain and suffering.

Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation
501 West Broadway, Suite 1650
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-233-8021
Fax: 619-233-3730

Sources.

1. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
2. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance-requirements/
3. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB1785