Long Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Whether you are a resident of Long Beach or the surrounding area or a visitor to our beautiful spot in California, the last thing you should ever have to worry about is getting injured by a drunk driver. Unfortunately, impaired driving collisions occur regularly in this area. We want to review the impaired driving laws in California as well as compensation that could be available for victims of these incidents with the help of our Long Beach car accident attorney.

California Drunk Driving Laws

California has strict laws to deter drunk driving and protect the public. Under state law, it is against state law for a person to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the legal limit is even lower at 0.04%. Additionally, California enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21, making it illegal for them to drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher.

If a driver is caught operating a vehicle while impaired, they can face severe criminal penalties, including fines, license suspension, mandatory DUI education programs, and even jail time. In cases where drunk driving results in injury or death, the penalties are even more severe, including potential felony charges and significant prison sentences. Our Long Beach wrongful death attorney can hold these negligent drivers accountable.

However, criminal penalties do not address the full scope of harm caused to victims. That is why it is crucial for those injured by a drunk driver to pursue a civil claim to recover compensation for their damages.

Recoverable Damages After an Accident with a Drunk Driver in Long Beach

If you have been harmed or sustained property losses due to a drunk driver in Long Beach, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. The damages you can recover in a Long Beach personal injury claim typically fall into two categories: special damages (economic) and general damages (non-economic).

• Economic damages cover the financial losses you have incurred as a result of the accident. This includes medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and any future earning potential that has been affected by your injuries. Additionally, you may be compensated for any property damage, such as vehicle repairs or replacement.
• Non-economic damages for a drunk driving accident claim are intended to compensate for the more intangible (harder to quantify) effects of the accident, such as loss of enjoyment and quality of life, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, and more. These damages acknowledge the significant impact that a drunk driving accident can have on your overall quality of life.

In cases where the drunk driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious (more likely to occur in these types of incidents), you may also be entitled to punitive damages. These are awarded in addition to other damages as a way to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior in the future.

Contact a Long Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, do not wait to seek legal help. The compassionate and skilled attorneys at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP are here to support you through this difficult time. We will handle the legal complexities (investigation, negotiation, filing claims, etc.) of your case so that you can focus on your recovery.