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How Martin Rose Made a Full Recovery – and Earned a $110,000.00 Settlement – with Help from Silva Injury Law
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Modesto Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The results are often catastrophic when a drunk driver hits another person or vehicle. Many drunk driving accidents involve severe to fatal injuries. Unfortunately, drunk drivers often drive more recklessly as compared to sober drivers. Running red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road, and speeding are just a few of the actions that result in an injury accident. If you or someone you love are a drunk driving accident victim, call the Modesto drunk driving accident lawyers at Silva Injury Law today.
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California DUI Accident Statistics
Drunk driving is a growing problem in California, especially with recent statistics on alcohol-impaired drivers and fatal accidents. According to the most recent data on Responsibility.org, 2019 statistics for California were:
- 949 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (10,142 national);
- 26.3% of total fatalities were alcohol-impaired fatalities (the national average was 28.1%);
- 88 under-21-year-old alcohol-impaired fatalities (906 total nationwide);
- 25.8% of total fatalities involved alcohol-impaired drivers under 21 years old (23.3% nationwide);
- 70.3% involved BAC limits .15 or higher (70.7% nationwide); and
- 72.7% of those with BAC limits of .15 or higher are repeat offenders (74.7% nationwide).
Remember, these are only statistics on fatalities. Far more injury accidents involve intoxicated driving on California roads and highways.
Civil Versus Criminal Drunk Driving Accident Cases
Understandably, some prospective clients are confused about drunk driving accidents. If the alcohol-impaired driver is arrested and facing criminal charges, that does not preclude you from pursuing a civil lawsuit for financial compensation. Criminal and civil cases are two completely different sets of court rules and burdens of proof.
Civil cases for drunk driving accidents do not involve a loss of freedom, only financial compensation. Criminal cases for drinking and driving can result in jail time, fines, and a suspension of the person’s driver’s license.
Why Choose Silva Injury Law as Your Modesto Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys?
You have many options for a personal injury attorney in the Modesto area, so you might wonder what sets us apart from other firms. For one, attorney Michael Joe Silva previously worked as a prosecutor. His experience prosecuting criminals gives him an advantage over many other personal injury attorneys. He knows what it takes to successfully resolve a criminal matter, which has a higher burden of proof than civil actions. Add in our civil trial success rate, and you have a winning combination.
Unlike some personal injury attorneys, we aren’t looking to resolve your case and immediately move on to the next client. We treat all our clients like family. We want what is best for you. We stand ready if that means filing a drunk driving lawsuit and taking your case to trial.
Who Is Liable for Your Injuries in a Drunk Driving Accident?
Drinking and driving are more than just negligent driving. Negligence is when you are distracted or make a mistake. Drinking and driving involve a conscious disregard for the safety of other people. When someone drinks and gets behind the wheel of a car, they put everyone else at risk.
However, just being drunk doesn’t make the person liable for your injuries. You must prove the driver was at fault for your damages. Determining liability in a drunk driving accident can be complex. If the drunk driver hits you, resulting in your injuries, they will likely have some liability for your damages. However, what about any other parties? Could someone else be liable for your injuries too? That is why hiring our Modesto drunk driving accident lawyers early in the process is essential.
Other potentially liable parties in a Modesto drunk driving accident include:
- Parents of underage drivers;
- Bars, clubs, and restaurants; and
- Hosts of private parties.
Identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial in a drunk driving accident lawsuit. That is where our legal team can help. We will review the facts of your case and help you determine everyone who should be contributing to your injury claim.
Promoting Healing Through Compassionate Advocacy
We believe that our duty goes beyond achieving large monetary awards for our clients. We strive first to be decent human beings who seek not to stir up fights, but to solve problems.
Contact Our Lawyers
Resolving drunk driving accident claims is not as easy as you might assume. Hiring a lawyer is crucial to help you build a strong case and fight for the maximum compensation possible. You have legal rights when a drunk driver causes injuries to you or someone you love. Contact Silva Injury Law to schedule a consultation and learn more.
Our experienced legal team also handles other types of injury cases, including: