Los Angeles Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Drunk Driving Accidents in Southern California

Researchers from the Berkeley-SafeTREC Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, working in conjunction with the California Office of Traffic Safety, released a report on alcohol-impaired driving in 2022, which yielded many data points of interest and concern.

A few examples:

• 1,159 California drivers lost their lives to drunk driving in 2020.
• Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities across the country reached a recent high of 11,654 in 2020.
• The alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased to 0.4 in 2020, up from just 0.31 in 2019.
• Only 21,408 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes could be linked to a verified blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test result. The other 32,482 did not take a BAC test or had their records sealed.

Although all states make it illegal to drive with a BAC level of 0.08 or higher, and Utah lowered this threshold to 0.05 in 2019, drunk driving is still one of the most commonly reported traffic-related crimes in the country.

A Record of Success

Were you or your loved one the victim of a drunk driving accident? If so, Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation is here to help. Attorney Scott J. Corwin has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law. He and our entire team are dedicated to helping you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, or Santa Barbara County or anywhere else in California. 

Scott J. Corwin has successfully represented more than 3,000 injury victims and obtained recoveries totaling more than $125 million. Our firm continues to advocate tirelessly for victims of car accidents involving drunk drivers.

Call (310) 683-2300 or contact us online now for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Los Angeles.

Three Common Signs of Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers may behave oddly on the road, react slowly to traffic, or drive with noticeable caution. In some cases, drunk drivers are easy to spot; in others, it can be difficult to tell if the person who caused the accident was intoxicated or impaired.

Below, we’ve outlined three of the most common signs of drunk driving, but always be aware of other motorists and their behavior. After an accident, contact the police and have them come out to the scene of the crash. The officer may conduct a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test on the individual suspected of driving under the influence.

Erratic Behavior

Alcohol can impair a person’s ability to make judgment calls. By the time a person has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent, reasoning and self-control can also be reduced. This often leads to unpredictable behavior, both on and off of the road.

The following irregular actions could be a sign that a driver has been drinking:

• Making illegal turns
• Stopping abruptly for no reason
• Swerving in and out of the lane boundaries
• Driving into oncoming traffic
• Following closely behind cars

Even something as simple as turning on the wrong blinker or driving without lights when it is dark could be a sign that someone on the road has been drinking. Of course, not every driver who misuses their turn signals has a high level of alcohol in their system. Instead, everyone on the road should be cautious of the driver who continuously exhibits these potentially dangerous behaviors.

Slow Reactions

Alcohol can also reduce a person’s reaction time and muscle coordination, which is a major cause of accidents. However, these slow reactions might be noticeable before they result in a car crash. For example, if a person takes a while to stop or start at a changing traffic light, it could be because of a high blood alcohol concentration. The further over the legal limit a person is, the greater their loss of muscle control is likely to be, which can make these slow reactions even more pronounced.

Overly Cautious Conduct

Some people may overcompensate when they are impaired behind the wheel. This can lead to overly cautious driving. For example, if a car is going more than 10 miles below the speed limit, it could be because the driver has been drinking. Even when driving this slowly, a drunk driver may swerve noticeably or react poorly to surrounding traffic.

Car accidents are a common occurrence in California, and many of these accidents involve a person who has been drinking. It can be beneficial to talk to a knowledgeable attorney if you have suffered significant property damage or personal injury due to a motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver.

Proving Liability in a Drunk Driving Accident

Proving liability in a drunk driving accident in California involves gathering evidence and establishing the elements of negligence. Here are steps to help prove liability:

• Police Reports: The police report from the accident scene can be crucial. It often contains details about the drivers involved, observations of impairment, any field sobriety tests conducted, and the officer’s opinion regarding intoxication.
• Witness Statements: Eyewitnesses can provide valuable testimony. Their accounts of the accident, the behavior of the drivers involved, and any observations of intoxication can strengthen the case.
• Chemical Tests: Results from blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests conducted on the driver at the scene or later can be critical evidence. If the driver’s BAC exceeded the legal limit (0.08%), it significantly supports the claim of impairment.
• Accident Reconstruction: An expert analysis of the accident scene, including skid marks, vehicle positions, and damage, can help recreate the sequence of events. This reconstruction can provide evidence supporting the claim of the impaired driver’s responsibility.
• Medical Records: If there were injuries sustained in the accident, medical records detailing the injuries, treatments, and their relation to the accident can be used as evidence.
• 6. Admissions or Statements: Any admission of guilt or statements made by the impaired driver, either at the accident scene or later, acknowledging their intoxication or responsibility, can serve as evidence.
• Surveillance Footage or Dashcams: If available, footage from surveillance cameras or dashcams from other vehicles can provide visual evidence of the accident and the behavior of the drivers involved.
• 8Expert Testimony: Expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals, can provide professional opinions supporting the claim of impairment and the consequences of the accident.

In California, establishing liability in a drunk driving accident generally involves proving negligence, which includes demonstrating that the impaired driver breached their duty of care by driving under the influence, directly causing the accident and resulting damages. Collecting strong evidence and having legal representation to navigate the complexities of the legal process are crucial to proving liability in such cases.

Were You Injured by an Irresponsible Driver?

If you suffered catastrophic injuries, or if someone you love died due to an accident caused by a drunk driver, Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation can help. While nothing can undo the devastating experience you have been through, a successful personal injury claim can allow you to recover the compensation you need to heal.

When you choose our law firm, our Los Angeles drunk driving accident lawyer will not only consider your current injuries and damages. Our principal attorney, Scott J. Corwin, will also consider the potential impact of the accident on your employment opportunities, as well as your need for future surgeries or medical care. Our primary objective is to obtain the money and medical assistance you need to move forward with life to the fullest extent possible.

Get the Dedicated Representation You Need

To learn more about your legal rights and options after an alcohol-involved car crash in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, or Santa Barbara County or anywhere else in Southern California, schedule a free initial consultation with our team. You only pay attorney fees if we win your case. All personal injury and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means we only earn a fee if we get you results.

Call Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation, toll-free at (310) 683-2300 or contact us online to speak with a drunk driving accident lawyer in Los Angeles.