For more information about the rights of victims injured in DUI accidents, contact the San Diego attorneys of Phillips & Pelly today.
Phillips & Pelly
12520 High Bluff Dr. Ste 220,
San Diego, CA 92130
P/ 858.452.7766
North County
P/ 760.945.9962
Central County
P/ 858.794.1700
DUI Accidents — Representation for Victims in San Diego
It is estimated that up to 40 percent of all fatal car crashes are caused by someone who is driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. This crime, also known as DUI, is a frightening cause of many accidents in the San Diego area because they can happen at any time, under any weather condition, and on any type of road.
Due to the haphazard nature of DUI drivers, victims' injuries are usually severe often fatal. Wrongful death lawsuits filed after fatal DUI accidents can help San Diego families to pay for medical bills, funeral costs, and to receive compensation for loss of companionship and income. The legal team of Phillips & Pelly can help families and the loved ones of DUI accident victims receive just compensation for injury or loss.
Proving DUI Liability
To prove that the driver responsible for causing an auto accident was operating the car under the influence of alcohol or drugs, our lawyers must prove a certain set of factors.
Unlike determining who is at fault in other types of car accidents, categorizing DUI accidents requires proof that the person driving the vehicle was legally intoxicated — in California, this means a blood alcohol content or BAC of .08 or higher. Then, your attorney will show that the driver's impairment affected his or her judgment and reaction time, thereby behaving in a negligent manner on the road. Fortunately for victims of DUI accidents in San Diego, the attorneys of Phillips & Pelly have years of experience in compiling all the necessary car accident information that they'll need to represent you successfully.
Types of Damages in DUI Cases
Most DUI accidents in San Diego have similar factors. Negligent drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause serious property damage, personal injury, or death to passengers in their own car, another car, or pedestrians. Compensatory money to pay for injury and damage is usually paid from the drunk driver's insurance. If the driver's insurance tries to offer you a settlement that is far too low for your needs, or if the accident was caused by an uninsured motorist, you may need qualified attorneys to fight for adequate compensation for you and your family.
Damages from DUI accidents generally include, but are not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and income (in the case of wrongful death)
In some cases of extreme negligence, victims of DUI accidents in San Diego may be able to file for punitive damages. An amount of money rewarded to victims as punitive damages is designed to punish the drunk driver for excessively negligent and dangerous behavior, or as a future deterrent in the case of a repeat offender.
Contact Our DUI Accident Lawyers
If you have recently been involved in an accident that was caused by a driver under the influence, contact the personal injury attorneys of Phillips & Pelly. Our attorneys are qualified to represent victims of all types of DUI accidents. Able to accommodate clients from all areas of San Diego County, Phillips & Pelly will do everything possible to make your meetings more convenient to you and your busy lifestyle.