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When someone drinking gets behind the wheel of a car, they put countless people at risk. Intoxicated drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment. They also tend to be more reckless, especially when it comes to speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, or running red lights. All these things can lead to catastrophic results in a collision. If you suffered injuries from a crash with a drunk driver, contact the Monterey drunk driving accident lawyers at Silva Injury Law.
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Filing A Civil Drunk Driving Lawsuit Vs. Criminal Charges
You might be confused about how a civil lawsuit works versus criminal charges. If the other driver is facing criminal charges, it does not preclude you from pursuing a civil claim. Criminal and civil cases are entirely different—separate court rules and burdens of proof.
When you file a drunk driving lawsuit, it will not result in a loss of freedom for the defendant. You are only pursuing financial compensation. A criminal conviction could result in jail or prison time, driver’s license suspension, and fines.
DUI Statistics In California
Drinking and driving is a growing problem in California.
According to Responsibility.org, some of the most recent DUI-related statistics in California include:
- There were 949 alcohol-related driving fatalities in the state;
- Alcohol-related fatalities accounted for 26.3% of total vehicle fatalities;
- 88 alcohol-related fatalities involved drivers under 21 years old;
- 70.3% of alcohol-related fatalities involved someone with BAC limits of .15 or higher; and
- 72.7% of these high-BAC-limit fatalities were repeat offenders.
These alarming numbers address only fatalities. The number of DUI-related accident injuries is higher. If you are a drunk driving accident victim, you have legal rights in California. Let our skilled legal team help you pursue a claim against the responsible driver.
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We can help you. Here’s how:
Your 3-Step plan to get through it:
1
Tell Us Your Story
Contact us 24/7 to get an immediate, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story and give you our best legal advice.
2
Put Your Case in Our Hands
If you have a viable claim, we’ll offer to represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket.
3
Heal. Recover. Move Forward.
We’ll handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on healing from the damage that’s been done.
Why Choose Silva Injury Law For Your Monterey Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys?
You have multiple personal injury firms to choose from in Monterey, so you might be wondering why you should select Silva Injury Law. Attorney Michael Joe Silva has previous experience as a criminal prosecutor. Criminal cases require a higher burden of proof to receive a conviction. With Michael, you have the benefit of working with an attorney who can build the strongest case possible.
We believe in treating all clients like family. Our goal isn’t to settle your case as quickly as possible and move on to the next client. If we need to take your case to trial, we have the skills and experience to see your case through. We take intoxicated driving accident claims very seriously and will be there for you every step of the way.
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Stories of Triumph
Discover how Silva Injury Law clients Martin, Helen, and Jammie transformed their setbacks into victories with our guidance.
Who Is Liable In A Monterey Drunk Driving Accident?
Drunk driving is far more severe than negligent driving. Negligence is distracted driving or failing to see another approaching vehicle. Drunk driving involves an intentional disregard for other people’s safety. Someone who drinks and decides to drive home puts other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk.
Unfortunately, an intoxicated driver isn’t necessarily responsible for your injuries just because they were drunk. You still have the burden of proof to show the defendant caused the accident that led to your injuries. If another third party caused the collision, the drunk driver might not be at fault. That doesn’t mean they won’t get arrested for drinking and driving, but they might not be responsible for your injury claim.
Determining liability in a Monterey car accident isn’t necessarily straightforward. More than one party could be liable, so it’s essential to speak with a skilled Monterey drunk driving accident attorney.
Potentially liable parties can include:
- Parents or guardians of underage drunk drivers;
- Clubs, bars, and restaurants; and
- Private party hosts.
When you hire Silva Injury Law, we will review the facts of your case and help you identify all the parties who could be responsible for paying a portion of your damages.
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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.
As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be enough business.
-- Abraham Lincoln
Our Monterey Office Address
215 W. Franklin St.
Suite 212
Monterey, CA 93940
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Get Answers from Our Blog
At Silva Injury Law, we believe that knowledge is power. Our blog and resource center are designed to equip you with the information you need to navigate your personal injury case with confidence.
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How Long Do You Have to See a Doctor After a Car Accident?
Who Pays the Deductible After a Car Accident in California?
