Long Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Yes — a drunk driver who causes an accident is liable for all damages they cause, including your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. California law treats driving under the influence as negligence per se, meaning the DUI conviction or arrest itself establishes the driver’s fault. We file civil claims separately from any criminal case, and the two proceedings run independently. You are entitled to full compensation regardless of whether the driver is ultimately convicted.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost certainly means losing your right to recover any compensation. We recommend contacting us as soon as possible — evidence from drunk driving crashes, including police blood-alcohol records, surveillance footage near the 405 or PCH, and witness statements, disappears quickly. Early action protects your claim.

California requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but many drunk drivers are uninsured or carry only state-minimum limits. If that’s the case, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply, and we pursue it aggressively on your behalf. We also investigate whether a third party — such as a bar or restaurant that over-served the driver — shares liability under California’s Dram Shop laws. Every available source of recovery is pursued so you are fully compensated.

Yes — California Civil Code §3294 allows courts to award punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct is malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent. Choosing to drive drunk is considered conscious disregard for the safety of others, which courts have repeatedly held meets that standard. Punitive damages are separate from and in addition to your compensatory damages for medical bills, lost income, and pain. We evaluate punitive exposure in every drunk driving case we handle.

California follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you can still recover even if you were partially responsible. For example, if you were found 10% at fault and your damages total $200,000, you recover $180,000. In drunk driving accidents, the impaired driver typically bears the overwhelming share of fault. We work to present the evidence in a way that accurately reflects the drunk driver’s responsibility.

Potentially yes. Under California’s Business and Professions Code §25602 and the common law Dram Shop doctrine, commercial establishments that serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person can face civil liability for subsequent injuries. Long Beach has a dense bar and restaurant corridor along Second Street and the downtown waterfront, and over-service incidents do occur. We investigate purchase records, bartender testimony, and surveillance to determine whether a third-party establishment shares liability and increases your total recovery.

Every case is different, but recoverable damages typically include all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Drunk driving cases also carry potential punitive damages, which can significantly increase the total recovery. We retain economists and medical experts to calculate the full value of your losses before any settlement discussion begins. We don’t guess at your case value — we build it with evidence.

We work with medical providers who treat clients on a lien basis, meaning they defer payment until your case resolves — you receive care now without out-of-pocket costs. If you have health insurance, MedPay, or PIP coverage, those benefits can also be activated immediately. When we recover compensation, your medical liens are paid out of the settlement or verdict. No one should delay necessary treatment because of financial uncertainty, and we make sure you don’t have to.

Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents without speaking with us first. Insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts, and anything you say — even an offhand comment about how you feel — can be used to reduce your claim. Once we are retained, all communication runs through our office. We handle every interaction with the at-fault driver’s insurer so your rights are fully protected.

A straightforward case where liability is clear and injuries are documented can settle in six to twelve months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple defendants, or litigation in Long Beach Superior Court — located on Pacific Avenue — can take two years or more. We give you an honest timeline assessment from day one and keep you updated at every stage. We never push a quick, low settlement just to close a file.

We handle cases throughout Long Beach and see recurring crash sites along Pacific Coast Highway, Cherry Avenue, Lakewood Boulevard, and Atlantic Avenue, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours near entertainment districts downtown and in Belmont Shore. The 405, 710, and 91 freeway interchanges also generate serious DUI crashes. Knowing local roads, responding officers, and nearby hospital trauma centers helps us build a complete case specific to where and how your accident happened.

The majority of drunk driving injury claims resolve through negotiated settlements before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial because insurers pay more when they know we are fully ready. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we file in Long Beach Superior Court and present your case to a jury. You are never pressured to accept a settlement that does not fully compensate you.

We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we win. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so our interests are completely aligned with yours: we only get paid when you do. There are no hourly charges, no retainers, and no hidden costs during the case. If we do not recover, you owe us nothing.

Call 911 immediately — a police report documenting the driver’s impairment is critical evidence. Seek medical attention the same day, even if you feel fine, because adrenaline often masks injury symptoms. Photograph the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries, and collect witness contact information if you can safely do so. Then contact us before speaking with any insurance company — the steps you take in the first 48 hours have an outsized impact on the outcome of your case.

Yes, you can still recover, but California’s comparative fault rules may reduce your damages by the percentage your injuries were aggravated by not wearing a seatbelt. The drunk driver is still primarily responsible for causing the collision itself, and we argue that distinction vigorously. Courts look at both the cause of the crash and the cause of each specific injury separately. We present your case in the strongest possible light to maximize what you recover regardless of the circumstances.