Posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2020 at 10:15 pm
An intoxicated driver is a dangerous driver. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the chance of a traffic accident. Even though California has strict DUI laws, thousands of drivers across the state choose to ignore those laws each day. Sadly, some of those drivers cause Sacramento DUI accidents that result in severe injuries and death for innocent victims.
If a drunk driver injured you, you might receive compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses from the driver or the insurance company. However, you must file a DUI accident claim against the driver, which may be challenging to win.
Five Things You Need to Know About Sacramento DUI Accidents
1. You Must Prove the Driver Caused the Accident
Even though a driver was alcohol-impaired at the time of the crash, you must prove the driver caused the collision to recover damages. A drunk driver could be the victim of an accident. You need evidence proving that the intoxicated driver did something to cause the accident, such as failing to yield the right of way, following too closely, or crossing the centerline.
An attorney investigates the accident to identify the cause of the crash and gather evidence of fault.
2. A Criminal Conviction is Not Proof of Fault for a Crash
The evidence in the criminal case may apply in a civil action. However, criminal charges and a civil lawsuit are two separate matters. A guilty verdict in a criminal case is not absolute proof of fault in a civil action. Likewise, you can recover compensation in a civil case even if the driver is not charged with DUI, the court dismisses the DUI charges, or the person is judged not guilty of drunk driving.
3. The Insurance Company for the Driver May Be Liable for a Claim
An insurance company is liable for an accident caused by one of its insured drivers, even if the driver is drunk at the time of the crash. Therefore, if you prove that the drunk driver caused the accident, the insurance provider should cover the claim.
You need to prove the DUI accident caused your injuries and damages and losses to recover compensation. Therefore, careful documentation of all damages is crucial. Medical records, payroll records, and copies of expenses and costs are examples of evidence used to prove damages in a car accident claim.
4. DUI Accident Result in Catastrophic Injuries and Fatalities
Someone dies in a drunk driving accident approximately every 50 minutes in the United States. In 2018, 10,511 people died in DUI accidents. Almost one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities in 2018 involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
DUI accidents also result in catastrophic and traumatic injuries that can cause permanent disabilities and impairments.
Examples of DUI accident injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries, including skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Amputations
- Scarring and severe burns
5. Our Lawyers Can Help You Recover Compensation for Sacramento DUI Accidents
The damages from a DUI accident include medical treatment, loss of income, pain, suffering, and disabilities. The amount of the claim depends on the type and severity of the injury and the amount of financial losses.
Proving fault and damages can be challenging, especially when a victim is recovering from severe injuries. Our Sacramento DUI accident lawyers help recover the compensation you deserve after DUI accident injury.
Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our Sacramento DUI Accidents attorneys.
