The decision of getting behind a wheel while intoxicated leads to many severe and life-altering accidents across Delano and the rest of Kern County each year. Drunk driving is a crime that can lead to serious results such as property damage, catastrophic injuries, and even fatalities – and does every single year. California actually sees hundreds of fatalities stemming from drunk driving each month, leading to many laws and regulations put in place to stop this negligent driving act.
Being involved in a DUI accident in Delano can affect every aspect of your life. You may have serious injuries to recover from, as well as a variety of bills that continue to pile up. If a careless act by another driver led to your accident, you have rights and options. A local attorney at Maison Law can help you protect your rights so that your accident does not turn into a financial disaster that you cannot get away from. Contact us for a free case evaluation so that you can find out what damages you can receive following a collision.
Common Injuries in Delano DUI Accidents
A DUI driver may find that their driving is impacted in many ways, from reduced reaction times to loss of coordination that can quickly lead to an accident. These accidents are capable of causing traumatic injuries and fatal losses. Some of the most common injuries that stem from a DUI car accident include the following:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): TBIs caused by head trauma take on many forms, from concussions to skull fractures. A TBI is capable of having an impact on your memory, reasoning skills, or emotions. Many individuals who have been hurt in one of these accidents will find that returning to work is not possible or performing their favorite activities is not as easy.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries stemming from DUI accidents can be so traumatic that they lead to complete paralysis. Those who receive less severe spinal cord injuries could sustain extensive nerve damage or pain that lasts for months to years.
- Internal Organ Damage: Many internal injuries result from DUI collisions, some of which can be life-threatening. Organ damage typically leads to surgeries, which can be painful and expensive.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: There are many types of soft tissue injuries caused by these accidents, from torn muscles to stretched ligaments in the back and neck. Whiplash injuries are some of the most common, which can lead to severe pain in victims.
- Burns: The most catastrophic DUI accidents cause vehicles to catch fire or explode. This means that burns happen more commonly than expected in these collisions.
Proving Liability in a Delano DUI Accident
When proving negligence, operating a vehicle while intoxicated is considered a breach of duty on our roads in Delano and the rest of the U.S. By proving that a driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash and that this breach of duty led to your accident, you will be able to gain financial damages from your claim.
Here are some of the types of evidence that can be used to prove negligence in a DUI accident claim:
- Physical evidence that you and police collect on scene after the accident
- Police and accident reports, as well as police arrest information
- Statements given by eyewitnesses
- Surveillance videos taken nearby at the time of the accident
It is important to note that, even when a DUI has occurred, the driver’s insurance company will do whatever they can to deny that the driver is liable for your accident. They might say that, even though the driver was intoxicated, their actions did not lead to your collision. This can make your claim incredibly complicated. This is why having legal help is extremely vital after a DUI accident.
Bringing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal DUI Accident
Unfortunately, it is all too common to hear that a drunk driving accident led to a fatality due to the severity of these accidents. It can be an unimaginable and tragic loss to find out that someone you love has been taken from you prematurely due to the negligence of another party. Luckily, as the surviving family of a loved one, you can bring a California wrongful death claim. There are many parties who can be eligible to bring one of these claims, from a spouse to children and parents of the deceased.
You may discover that you are eligible for a wide array of damages after losing a loved one in a DUI accident. These include some of the following:
- Medical bills your loved one incurred before their passing
- Future loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial-related expenses
- Loss of consortium and companionship
It is important to act quickly to protect your rights after you have lost a loved one in a fatal DUI accident. You do not want your family to miss out on any opportunities for financial support during these immense times of grief.
Contact a Delano DUI Accident Lawyer Immediately
It is not easy to get back on your feet after a DUI car accident, especially when you have been seriously injured. At Maison Law, we have effectively and compassionately assisted those injured in car accidents over the years and will stand by your side to help you retain your rights. We understand how complex the legal system can be and offer our knowledge and support to you at this time.
If you have been hurt or injured in a DUI collision, you should never have to stand alone as you face the complex legal process. Contact a Delano car accident lawyer to find out what we can do for you and how we can help you move forward with a free and confidential case consultation.
