Posted on Friday, August 4th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Even though there has been an increase in the efforts to educate the public about the dangers of drugged and drunk driving, many drivers still get behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired by alcohol or drugs. When a person decides to drive after having too much to drink, that person places his life and the lives of others at danger. Sadly, you cannot control what other people choose to do. If a drunk driver injures you, there are some things that you need to understand about DUI accidents in Sacramento.
Even a Low BAC Can Impair Driving Abilities
Many people believe that a driver must have a high blood alcohol content (BAC) for the alcohol to impair driving abilities. However, just a few drinks can impair a driver’s abilities enough to cause a crash. With just a BAC of .02, a person can experience a decline in visual functions and the ability to perform two tasks at one time. As the BAC levels rise, the effects on driving become more severe.
You Are Entitled to Compensation
If you are injured in a DUI accident, you are entitled to file a claim for compensation for your damages. Your claim can include compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, physical pain, and emotional suffering. A DUI accident can result in life-altering injuries for the victims who had no control over the consequences of a choice made by a drunk driver. Therefore, the law provides a way for victims to seek compensation for those injuries even though money can never undo the damage caused by an impaired driver.
High BAC is Not Proof of Fault
Before you can recover compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses, you must prove that the driver caused the DUI accident. Even though consuming alcohol has been associated with impaired abilities to drive, a high BAC level is not automatic proof that a driver caused an accident. The specific circumstances of the crash must be evaluated to determine exactly how the collision occurred.
As part of your DUI accident claim, you must prove that the drunk driver was negligent in causing the crash and is therefore liable for your damages. Submitting proof that the BAC was above the legal limit for driving is not sufficient to prove negligence in a car accident claim, although it can be used with other evidence to prove your case.
Call a Sacramento DUI Accident Attorney for Help
Our Sacramento DUI accident attorneys understand the rules of evidence and the elements necessary to prove that a drunk driver is at fault for a DUI accident. We aggressively fight to hold drunk drivers liable for the damages they cause innocent victims.
Call The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website to request your free legal consultation with a California DUI accident lawyer. Your first visit is free, so you have nothing to lose by talking to one of our attorneys about how we can help you hold a drunk driver liable for your damages. Furthermore, we accept most cases on a contingency fee basis.
Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
