Best Impaired Driving Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Ariel Law Group Will Fight ForYour Rights In Impaired Driving Accident Cases

Impaired Driving Accident Lawyer Serving California

Drivers of any vehicle, along with pedestrians, are fair game for impaired driving accidents if they are impaired by drugs, alcohol, or even lack of sleep. Latest statistics show that when drivers are under the influence, crash rates are increased by 36 times (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2016); three to five people will be involved in crashes due to impaired driving during their lifetime (National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2017).

Not all impairment is due to illegal substances. Even having a cold can leave a driver fuzzy-headed and with a slower response time; in addition, using some over-the-counter antihistamines can raise blood alcohol levels above .08% of legal limits in most states and increase crash risks.

Driving while sleepy can increase the likelihood of having an accident by 2.5 times, while even missing 2 or 3 hours of sleep adds to the risk. A quick nod-off is all it takes. If a driver falls asleep for just four seconds while traveling at a speed of 62 mph, the vehicle will travel 364 feet without a driver in control – slightly more than the length of a US football field, including the two end zones (Transport Accident Commission, 2018).

Escalating numbers of drivers of cars and semis, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists involved in accidents have drug and alcohol levels in their blood that exceed the legal limit – and ups the liability of anyone involved in an accident that is impaired.

Because impairment is a common factor in accident cases, you need a good personal injury lawyer from Ariel Law Group by your side to fight for your rights after you have been injured in an accident.

*Unless otherwise noted, the statistics used were compiled here from various sources

Do I need to hire an impaired driving accident lawyer?

If you have an injury as a result of an impaired driving accident, the short answer is yes. In these cases, it’s best to begin by consulting with a personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with impaired driving cases. 

Due to shock and other things that may be on your mind in the immediate aftermath of an accident, injuries aren’t always immediately noticeable. They make take time to appear and when they do, they may cause debilitating pain. This is why it’s crucial to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your options. 

If you’ve been in a vehicular accident that has affected your ability to work, required emergency medical care, or required hospitalization, it’s time to speak to a California impaired driving accident lawyer.

What should I do after an impaired driving accident?

• Call 911 to request police officers and/or emergency vehicles.
• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Get information about the other parties involved in the accident.
• Take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the injuries of others involved. Take photos of the scene as well, including traffic signals and street signs.
• Do not sign any documents or give any statements to any insurance representative without first speaking to your lawyer.
• Do not apologize. This can be used to prove that you were at fault, even if you were not.
• Do not admit fault.
• Keep all accident-related medical bills stored together in a secure place. These will be provided to your lawyer to help determine the financial compensation you are entitled to.
• Contact and hire an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. 

Sticking to this checklist in the event of a vehicular accident will help you ensure that your rights will be protected and you’ll get the compensation you deserve.

Will I be able to get compensation even if I am partly to blame for the accident?

Yes. California is a comparative negligence state, which means that any person involved in a vehicular accident might be responsible for a percentage of the blame.

As your impaired driving accident lawyer, part of our job is to prove that your negligence was as small as possible to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. The comparative negligence principle applies to most personal injury cases in California.

What types of compensation may I be entitled to?

• Past and future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the impaired driving accident. This includes hospital bills, ambulance bills, physical therapy, consultations with specialists, in-home care services, and psychiatric counseling.
• Past and future lost wages resulting from the accident.
• Property damage. In the case of an impaired driving accident, this refers to compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
• Pain and suffering resulting from physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. 
• Punitive damages if the accident was the result of malicious or willful actions.

What if I am undocumented and/or don’t speak English? Will that affect my impaired driving accident claim?

No. According to California law, a person’s immigration status cannot be used against them in civil cases. This includes impaired driving lawsuits.

In addition to this, our attorneys and staff are bilingual in English and Spanish so you can feel comfortable that we will understand the intricacies of your case and keep you informed about what is happening throughout the process.

IMPAIRED DRIVING ACCIDENTS- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Preventing impaired driving: education and awareness?

Preventing impaired driving education and awareness initiatives have been implemented to reduce motor vehicle-related incidents, particularly those caused by impaired driving. Increasing public awareness of the consequences of driving under the influence (DUI), as well as teaching about safe alcohol usage, has been a major priority. The objective is to minimize drunk driving by modifying driver attitudes and behavior. Various techniques have been raised against preventing impaired accidents: education and awareness for the public. These include campaigns in schools and universities through print media such as pamphlets or billboards, television spots, online videos, radio ads, and social media campaigns.

Holding drunk drivers accountable: The role of law enforcement and attorneys?

Law enforcement and attorneys play a significant role in holding drunk drivers responsible for their actions. Law enforcement is the first point of contact with the driver regarding detecting whether or not they are driving under the influence. They must identify signs that indicate impairment, such as slurred speech, red eyes, and erratic driving. When a motorist is suspected of being impaired, an officer can give field sobriety tests or breathalyzers to check for alcohol levels in the driver’s system. Attorneys also play an essential role in this process by advocating on behalf of those who have been charged with impaired driving offenses.

What to do if you’re involved in a car accident that leads to an impaired driving arrest?

The ramifications of being involved in a car accident that leads to an arrest for impaired driving can be life-altering, and it is essential to understand the steps necessary to protect oneself. When you are involved in such incident, the first thing to do is contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. An experienced attorney can provide advice and represent your interests in court. Additionally, it would help if you cooperated with law enforcement officials by providing accurate information and responding honestly when asked questions. Do not act or make any statements without consulting an attorney first; doing so could inadvertently result in incriminating evidence against you.

Common causes and types of impaired driving accidents?

Impaired driving accidents are often caused by various factors, ranging from a fundamental human error to more severe issues such as alcohol or drug intoxication, and in most cases, impaired driving results from negligence or recklessness on the part of the driver, including not paying attention to their surroundings, speeding, tailgating and failing to obey traffic laws. Also, drivers may be impaired due to fatigue from lack of sleep or too much time behind the wheel. Alcohol and drugs can also contribute to the cause of impaired driving accidents.

Learn more about how Ariel Law Group can help you get the compensation you deserve.

With 30 years of experience, we have won millions of dollars in compensation to help alleviate the staggering physical, emotional, and financial toll that accidents take on our clients. Our track record of success indicates we know how to fight for our clients.

Our team has a proven 98% success rate and you will not pay any fees until we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.