When someone chooses to drive drunk, they put everyone else on the road at risk. If you were injured due to an intoxicated driver, our Newport Beach drunk driving accident lawyers can hold them accountable.
At Sweet James, our Newport Beach car accident lawyers will fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience fighting for personal injury victims. We will handle the entire legal process on your behalf so that you can focus on healing.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation. Real Lawyers. Real Results.
How Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Newport Beach Can Help You
If you’ve been injured, the last thing on your mind is a complicated insurance process. That’s where our California car accident lawyers can step in. We handle everything from the initial investigation and evidence gathering to filing your paperwork and communicating with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
If we can’t reach a fair settlement through negotiation, we’ll be prepared to take your case to trial. The team at Sweet James has taken more than 500 cases to trial, so we are always ready to do so.
Don’t settle for an insurance company’s initial lowball offer. Instead, let us seek the full compensation you deserve from a negligent driver.
What Compensation Is Recoverable After a Drunk Driving Accident in Newport Beach?
After a drunk driving accident in Newport Beach, you may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Our car accident lawyers at Sweet James will listen to your story and may consult with medical experts to determine the long-term impacts that you’ll face. We’ll then advocate for compensation that addresses the full range of damages.
You may be able to recover:
Economic Damages
This is compensation for the financial losses you’ve had, and can expect to have, because of the accident. Economic damages can recover losses like:
- Medical expenses.
- Property damage.
- Lost wages.
- Lost job benefits.
- Diminished earning capacity.
- Home or vehicle modifications needed to accommodate your injuries.
- Mobility aids and other assistive devices.
- In-home services you can no longer perform, such as housekeeping.
Non-Economic Damages
This is compensation for the personal impacts of the accident. Non-economic damages can recover compensation for losses like:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and PTSD.
- Lost enjoyment of life.
- Permanent disability.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Reduced quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, please accept our deepest condolences. Our Newport Beach wrongful death lawyers can seek compensation for:
- Loss of financial support.
- Loss of companionship and/or parental guidance.
- Medical expenses.
- Funeral costs.
- Burial or cremation costs.
- Pain and suffering.
California Laws That Can Impact Your Case
In California, personal injury laws include the statute of limitations and a pure comparative negligence rule.
The Statute of Limitations
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a drunk driving accident. There can be exceptions to this deadline, so always discuss the timeline with your legal counsel.
Pure Comparative Negligence
While some states bar recovery for injury victims when they are partially at fault for an accident, California uses a pure comparative negligence rule instead. California’s pure comparative negligence law means that you can seek compensation as long as you are less than 100% at fault.
However, your recoverable compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Your Newport Beach drunk driving accident attorney from Sweet James will push back against any unfair blame.
Proving Fault After a Drunk Driving Accident in Newport Beach
While fault may seem straightforward when an accident involves a drunk driver, it is still essential for your lawyer to prove that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. To do so, your attorney will investigate and gather evidence.
Helpful evidence for proving fault may include:
- Video footage of the accident. For example, it may show that a driver was behaving erratically or speeding.
- Police reports.
- Witness statements.
- Blood alcohol content tests.
- Field sobriety tests.
- Photos of the accident scene.
- Medical records linking your injuries to the accident.
- Accident reconstruction.
The team at Sweet James will build a compelling case for compensation based on the evidence we collect.
Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you were in an accident, there are some important steps to take and some to avoid to protect your health and your right to compensation.
Do’s
You should:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. For example, go to an ER like Hoag Hospital or an urgent care like Newport Urgent Care.
- Report the accident to the Newport Beach Police Department.
- If possible, take photos of the accident scene and collect contact information from any witnesses.
- Call a personal injury attorney at Sweet James.
- Direct insurance adjusters to speak to your lawyer.
Don’ts
You should avoid:
- Trying to speak with the intoxicated driver. Wait for the police to handle it.
- Delaying or stopping medical treatment. Insurers can use this against you.
- Posting on social media about the accident.
Once you hire a Newport Beach personal injury lawyer, they can go over your next steps with you and help you avoid any common pitfalls of the insurance process.
Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Newport Beach Today
Drunk drivers cause harm and should be held financially accountable. The legal team at Sweet James will fight for the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no initial costs when you hire us. Instead, our fees are taken as a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.
Reach out today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our team.
