Thanks to grass-roots efforts, public awareness campaigns, and significant legislative action in response, drunk driving arrests and DUI accident-related fatalities have decreased in the last thirty years. In 1980, approximately 28,000 people died in DUI-related accidents in the U.S. That number has reduced to an average of roughly 13,000 per year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
While this is a significant improvement in the overall number of DUI crashes, even one preventable death is too many. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a DUI accident, you know the physical, emotional, and financial toll of alcohol-related crashes remains nothing short of devastating.
Learn more about our Sacramento DUI Accident Victim Attorney Services.
DUI Statistics in Sacramento
In 2021-22, 286 DUI-related crashes in Sacramento were classified as severe, including 89 fatalities. The average cost for inpatient hospitalization for severe car accident injuries averages around $57,000. However, the costs can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars when catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, that require long-term or permanent care are involved.
The Inherent Selfishness of Drunk Driving
Perhaps the most tragic aspect of drunk driving accidents is that they don’t have to happen. When a person who has consumed alcohol (or other substances that alter decision-making) gets behind the wheel of a 2,000-pound weapon, they put everyone on the road – and in their car, including themselves – at risk. The sheer number of people whose lives are at risk of being shattered when just one person drives drunk is in itself a sobering thought.
Victims and their loved ones should not suffer more than they have to. Getting an experienced, aggressive, and skilled DUI attorney is the best first step a DUI accident victim can take.
Frequently Asked Legal Questions for Victims of DUI Accidents
- What should I do immediately after being hit by a drunk driver?
Get yourself safely out of harm’s way if you can; call or ask someone to call 911. Then, as you can, collect pictures of the scene, witness information, and the contact information of other cars involved. If you aren’t able to do this yourself, ask for help if you can. Information and evidence collected at the scene are highly valuable to the success of a claim.
- Can I discuss my case with my insurance company before consulting an attorney?
It’s best not to speak to any insurance representatives. DUI accident victims need to secure an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will handle the communication and ensure you won’t say anything to jeopardize your case.
- Why does it help victims of DUI accidents to hire an attorney?
To begin with, a DUI attorney will conduct the initial investigation, which involves gathering all possible evidence, interviewing witnesses, collecting statements, and obtaining video surveillance footage and police reports. A DUI attorney will also be instrumental in ensuring a victim walks away with the maximum compensation possible by handling negotiations with the insurance companies. All of this is aimed at holding responsible parties accountable and ensuring that victims are fully compensated for their injuries and any future damages.
- What compensation can I get as a victim of a DUI accident?
Among the various types of damages available to DUI victims are compensation for medical bills, current and future lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. If a drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured, an attorney may pursue holding a third party accountable, such as a bar or restaurant, if the drunk driver was overserved.
- How is a civil lawsuit different from criminal charges in a DUI case?
In an injury DUI accident, the purpose of a civil lawsuit is to make the victims whole, which means giving them the opportunity to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any other damages they may have suffered as a direct result of the accident. The victim and their attorney initiate civil lawsuits.
Criminal charges resulting from a DUI injury accident are typically brought by the governing county’s District Attorney, on behalf of the State of California. The purpose of criminal charges is to punish the guilty party, hold them accountable, and protect the public. The process for criminal charges begins with the driver’s arrest and the District Attorney’s evaluation of the evidence. Next, the defendant would be formally charged and proceed to criminal trial and sentencing (assuming they are found guilty), unless a plea bargain is agreed to. In that case, the defendant’s attorney and the prosecutor would negotiate a plea deal, which requires a judge’s approval.
DUI Accident Attorneys: Free Consultation, No Fees Unless You Win
If you need advice or support regarding a claim, contact the DUI accident attorneys at Eason & Tambornini.
Call (916) 438-1819 today to schedule a free consultation. If we take your case, you will pay nothing unless and until you win a settlement.