Lake Forest Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyer

When another driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causes a serious accident that leaves you with property damages and injuries, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against them. Although it might seem relatively simple to pursue an injury claim against a driver under the influence of alcohol, proving in court that they were responsible for all your losses could be more complicated than you might think.

Enlisting the help of an experienced accident attorney could help you in court and with the claim’s process. Once retained, a Lake Forest drunk driving car accident lawyer could assist you with pursuing recovery of compensation for the damages.

Types of Recoverable Damages for Vehicle Collision Victims

Victims of a drunk driving vehicle accident in California could seek both economic and non-economic damages from any party found civilly liable for the wreck. Economic damages are straightforward and cover easily calculated figures like lost income, damaged car replacement or repair costs, and past and future medical expenses.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are meant to cover items such as emotional distress or pain and suffering. Because of the conceptual nature of non-economic damages, these losses are sometimes difficult for a civil court to assign a specific value to.

Damage Limits for Drunk Driving Vehicle Wrecks

The extent of damages available to a victim may depend on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of the sustained injuries. The only cap on recoverable damages in most California personal injury cases applies to uninsured drivers, who are not eligible for non-economic damages according to California Civil Code §3333.4. Uninsured drivers are still eligible to pursue other kinds of damages.

It is important to note that under CA Code of Civ. Proc. §335.1, victims must file a lawsuit no later than two years after the date of the accident to be eligible to receive compensation. A Lake Forest drunk driving car crash attorney could work with a plaintiff to ensure they file their case before this deadline passes.

Fault Laws in Lake Forest

California is a pure comparative negligence jurisdiction, meaning injured parties can still pursue compensation for damages they sustain even if they are partly responsible for the accident that caused them. However, the claimant’s own percentage of fault would reduce their recoverable damages accordingly.

For example, someone harmed in an accident involving a drunk driver could be found 20 percent at fault for the wreck if they failed to yield appropriately before the crash occurred, therefore limiting their potential recovery to 80 percent of their total damages. A drunk driving car accident lawyer in Lake Forest could work to resolve such a case outside of court in private settlement negotiations with the other party’s insurance company, but other cases may require full litigation.

What to Expect Working with a Lake Forest Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorney

Your ability to receive compensation from an accident might require bringing the case to trial when settlement negotiations or insurance negotiations have been unsuccessful in yielding fair compensation. A Lake Forest drunk driving car accident lawyer could play a crucial role in the development of your case through either of these scenarios. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call today.