Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Los Angeles
Seek Justice for Drunk Driving Injuries
Drunk driving accidents in Los Angeles are a devastating and entirely preventable consequence of individuals that choose to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol. These accidents have far-reaching consequences, causing severe injuries, permanent disabilities, and even loss of life. In Los Angeles, the law takes a strong stance against drunk driving due to its inherent dangers and the potential harm it poses to innocent motorists, pedestrians, and passengers.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a drunk driving accident in Los Angeles? Dealing with the aftermath of such a traumatic event can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team of drunk driving accident lawyers in Los Angeles at the Agemian Law Group of Vinny Agemian is dedicated to fighting for your rights, seeking justice, and obtaining the highest possible compensation you are entitled to.
Why Drunk Driving Often Causes Catastrophic Injuries or Wrongful Death?
Drunk driving in Los Angeles causes catastrophic injuries or wrongful death in many cases due to the significant impairment it inflicts on a driver’s physical and cognitive abilities. Here are some key reasons why drunk driving can lead to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death:
The "Serious Injury" Threshold in Los Angeles
- Impaired Judgment: Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to make sound decisions and judgments. Intoxicated individuals may engage in reckless behavior such as speeding, aggressive driving, or disregarding traffic laws, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Reduced Coordination and Reflexes: Alcohol affects a driver’s coordination and motor skills, making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle and respond quickly to unexpected situations. Impaired reflexes make it challenging to brake or swerve in time to avoid collisions.
- Decreased Reaction Time: Alcohol slows down a driver’s reaction time, impairing their ability to recognize and respond to hazards on the road promptly. This delayed reaction time can prevent drivers from taking evasive actions to avoid accidents.
- Poor Vision and Perception: Alcohol affects vision and depth perception, making it difficult for intoxicated drivers to accurately judge distances, speeds, and the movement of other vehicles or pedestrians. Impaired vision can lead to failure to notice traffic signals, road signs, or pedestrians, increasing the risk of collisions.
- Drowsiness and Fatigue: Alcohol can contribute to drowsiness and fatigue, further impairing a driver’s alertness and increasing the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigue reduces concentration and attentiveness, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
- Increased Risk-Taking Behavior: Alcohol often leads to a false sense of confidence and reduced inhibitions, causing drivers to engage in risky behavior such as excessive speeding, running red lights, or driving recklessly. These actions significantly increase the chances of severe accidents and injuries.
- Inaccurate Assessment of Impairment: Intoxicated drivers often overestimate their ability to drive safely, leading them to make poor choices and continue operating a vehicle despite their impairment.
Due to these factors, drunk driving accidents often involve high-speed collisions, head-on collisions, rollovers, and other severe types of accidents. The impact of such accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, amputations, severe fractures, and disfigurement. In the worst cases, drunk driving accidents can lead to wrongful death, devastating families and loved ones.
More Than Half A Billion In Verdicts & Settlements
Nothing is more important than results. We measure ourselves by what we are able to achieve for our clients. Our mission is to put money into your pocket. Our attorneys have won more than $500 million in settlements and trial verdicts for injured victims. Our team of personal injury attorneys will not stop fighting until you and your family get every penny you rightfully deserve.
$1,700,000
Construction Accident
Awarded in a Construction Accident Case.
$1,100,000
Sexual Abuse
Verdict Awarded to a Victim of Sexual Abuse
$900,000
Train Accident
Settlement in a Train Derailment Case
$1,375,000
Wrongful Conviction
Awarded to a Victim of Wrongful Conviction
$1,800,000
Bus Accident
Verdict Awarded to a Victim of a Bus Accident.
$1,000,000
Assault Victim
Awarded to a Victim of Municipal Assault
$2,700,000
Construction Accident
Awarded in a Construction Accident Case
The "Serious Injury" Threshold in Los Angeles
The serious injury threshold is established in Section 5102(d) of the Los Angeles Insurance Law. According to this law, a person can pursue a claim for non-economic damages if they have sustained a “serious injury” because of the accident.
Los Angeles’s serious injury threshold categorizes various types of injuries that qualify as “serious,” including:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fractures
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss or limitation of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- Medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute their usual and customary daily activities for not less than 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the accident.
Drunk Driving Personal Injury Liability Laws in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher for drivers aged 21 and older. For commercial drivers, the BAC limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under the age of 21, a BAC of 0.02% or higher is considered illegal.
In addition to criminal penalties, drunk drivers could face civil liability for the injuries and damages they cause in accidents. Victims of drunk driving accidents have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the impaired driver to seek compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
In Los Angeles, there is a specific time limit, known as the statute of limitations, within which a personal injury claim must be filed. Generally, personal injury claims related to drunk driving accidents must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.
Los Angeles requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage. If you are injured in a drunk driving accident, you may seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company through a personal injury claim.
What is the Dram Shop Law in Los Angeles and How Might it Factor into My Drunk Driving Injury Claim?
The Dram Shop law in Los Angeles holds certain establishments accountable for serving alcohol to individuals who are visibly intoxicated or to minors.
- Liability of Establishments: Under the Los Angeles General Obligations Law Section 11-101, establishments such as bars, restaurants, clubs, taverns, and social hosts can be held liable for injuries caused by a visibly intoxicated person or a minor to whom they have served alcohol.
- Visible Intoxication Standard: To establish liability under the Dram Shop law, it must be proven that the establishment served alcohol to a person who was visibly intoxicated. Visible intoxication refers to clear signs that a person’s consumption of alcohol has significantly impaired their coordination, mental faculties, or judgment.
- Prohibited Alcohol Service: The Dram Shop law prohibits establishments from serving alcohol to individuals who are visibly intoxicated. It is the responsibility of the establishment to monitor the behavior and appearance of their patrons and refrain from serving alcohol to those who exhibit signs of intoxication.
- Liability for Minors: The Dram Shop law also holds establishments accountable for serving alcohol to minors (individuals under the legal drinking age). Establishments can be held liable if they served alcohol to a minor who subsequently causes injury to themselves or others due to alcohol consumption.
Impact of Dram Shop Law on Your Injury Claim in Los Angeles
If you were injured in a drunk driving accident in Los Angeles, the Dram Shop law may factor into your claim if there is evidence to support that an establishment served alcohol to the visibly intoxicated driver who caused the accident. By establishing that the establishment violated their duty of care, you may be able to hold them partially responsible for your injuries and seek compensation from them in addition to pursuing a claim against the intoxicated driver.
It’s important to note that Los Angeles follows a comparative negligence system, which means that multiple parties may share liability for an accident. If both the establishment and the drunk driver contributed to the accident, our lawyers can pursue your claim against both to maximize the amount of compensation you can recover.
Why is the only choice for your slip and fall accident lawsuit in Los Angeles
Vinny Agemian, owner and founder of the Agemian Law Group of Vinny Agemian relentless fight to win them the highest awards possible. In the vicious world of LA law, Vinny Agemian has earned a reputation for his relentless pursuit of justice.
Don’t let the devastating impact of a drunk driving accident go unanswered. With Vinny and his team of personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles on your side, you can take a stand against impaired drivers and hold them accountable for their reckless actions. Vinny Agemian’s relentless determination and unwavering advocacy will ensure your voice is heard, your story is told, and your rights are protected.
Call us today to schedule a free case analysis with a top Los Angeles slip and fall accident lawyer.
