Vacaville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
We Partner with You to Achieve the Best Results.Each day, approximately 37 people in the U.S. are killed in drunk-driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. That equals one fatality every 39 minutes and totaled 13,384 people in 2021. These deaths were all preventable.
Drunk driving is a serious offense, and if a drunk driver injures you or a loved one, it is important to understand your legal rights to seek justice and financial recovery through a civil lawsuit. You should not be responsible for the physical, emotional, mental, and financial damage caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. Contact Wells Call Injury Lawyers and our experienced drunk driving attorneys in Vacaville are here to help.
Hundreds of Millions Recovered
And 40 Years in Practice The case results listed are actual settlement and verdict results from cases recently handled by us. Because the facts and circumstances of every case are different, the results of other cases are not a guarantee of similar results in other cases. The results below do not include all cases, but they include a sample of different types of cases and show how much those results can vary.
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Wells Call Injury Lawyers, has been honored for its professionalism, legal experience, and client care while handling personal injury law.
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What Constitutes Driving Under The Influence in California?
There is never a good reason to risk driving impaired. The danger is far too great and can have a traumatic impact on the driver, passengers, and others on the road. The California Vehicle Code covers two types of DUIs (Driving Under the Influence).
Per Se DUI
“Per se” is a Latin term that means “by itself.” In the context of a DUI, it means that the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. That, by itself, constitutes a DUI. There is no need to prove that the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle was impaired. These are the legal BAC limits in California:
- 21 years or older: 0.08% or higher
- Under 21 years old: 0.01% or higher
- Driver on DUI probation (any age): 0.01% or higher
- Commercial vehicle driver (CDL or non-CDL): 0.04% or higher
- A passenger for hire is in the vehicle (Taxi or rideshare driver): 0.04% or higher
Refusal to take a DUI chemical test such as a breathalyzer or blood test may also constitute a per se DUI. Under the California Implied Consent rule, every driver must consent to these tests upon request. Failure to do so, regardless of the results of the DUI case will result in suspension of the driver’s license.
Impairment DUI
Alcohol and other substances impact every person differently. A driver can still be convicted of an impairment DUI if they were under the influence even if they consume less than the legal limit of the alcohol or drug. An officer may still treat the situation as a DUI if the driver exhibits behavior consistent with intoxication such as erratic driving, slurred speech, poor performance on a field sobriety test, an admission of impairment, and more.
Can the Use of Prescription or Over-the-counter Medication Result in a DUI?
Following the same logic as the impairment DUI, if the medication causes a driver to drive in a way that inhibits reaction time or negatively impacts motor skills and decision-making skills, a driver is deemed impaired. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they can stay safe on the road while taking those medications. Some interactions can also have negative reactions when mixed. It is especially important to avoid drugs that may cause drowsiness and warnings about vehicle operation.
Can I Sue a Drunk Driver?
Though often more catastrophic, a drunk driving accident is still a vehicle accident and you will likely go through the initial process of filing an insurance claim. California is an “at-fault” state, which means the driver responsible for causing the accident is also liable for the damage caused.
There are several situations where it may be necessary to file a lawsuit rather than accept an insurance settlement including when the intoxicated driver is uninsured, the driver’s insurance company offers you an unfair settlement, or your damages exceed the driver’s policy limits. Your drunk driving attorneys in Vacaville will be able to help you decide if it is in your best interest to settle or to pursue litigation.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Vacaville, CA
If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, your safety and well-being are the top priority. There are some things you can do both at the time of your accident and after to ensure that you are in the best possible position to prove negligence on the part of the driver who hit you and the degree of your damages.
Call 911
It is imperative that anyone injured receives necessary medical attention, but it is also crucial that law enforcement personnel arrive to document the scene. If you are in a drunk driving accident in Vacaville, CA, depending on where it occurs, the response may be from Vacaville police, the Solano County Sheriff’s Department, or the California Highway Patrol. Any of these law enforcement officials can conduct sobriety tests, make arrests, and file official reports. The information gathered will be crucial to helping your drunk driving attorneys in Vacaville build a successful case.
Receive Medical Attention
Making sure you are ok is the first priority. Even if you decline to ride in the ambulance, it is important to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible, whether that is in the emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care provider. A medical diagnosis for your injuries will be important. Not all injuries present themselves immediately, but waiting could call into question the cause of your injuries.
Do Not Admit or Imply Fault
It is important to choose your words carefully any time you are in a vehicle accident. You should never lie about what occurred, but over-apologizing or volunteering too much information can make you appear at fault. Your statements can be used against you. It is in your best interest to have your drunk driving attorneys in Vacaville be responsible for communication with insurance companies as well as the defendant’s legal counsel.
Contact an Attorney
Drunk driving cases can be complicated, and experienced legal counsel can help simplify the process. The sooner you can file your claim, the sooner you can obtain much-needed compensation for what you have been through. One of the most overlooked benefits of having legal counsel is their ability to ensure that you understand the true value of your claim so you don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
Partial Responsibility for a Drunk Driving Accident
In California, you can still file a claim against a drunk driver who caused your injuries even if you were partially at fault for the accident. For example, the drunk driver may have hit you, but you were speeding at the time the accident occurred. Under the doctrine of comparative fault, a judge or jury can apportion fault between multiple parties.
This is one of the reasons it is important to have an experienced attorney involved in the process as early as possible. The other driver’s legal counsel will undoubtedly try and make you appear as liable as possible to reduce the cost to their client.
*We value our clients’ personal and private lives. We have removed the names from these reviews for client discretion.
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Contact Experienced Drunk Driving Attorneys in Vacaville, CA
Wells Call Injury Lawyers are committed to helping drunk driving accident victims protect their rights and receive meaningful compensation. We have been serving the needs of injury victims for over 40 years and handle all types of personal injury claims. Our team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and though every case is different, we are committed to making sure you do not settle for less than what you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.