Maison Law represents anyone that’s been hurt in a car accident caused by driving under the influence in Madera. Car accidents are challenging, and they become even more complex when drugs or alcohol is involved. If you or someone you know has been injured in a DUI accident, contact our Madera lawyers for a free consultation.
Why You Need Legal Assistance After a DUI Accident in Madera
A DUI accident is fundamentally a car accident, but it often involves more serious consequences. So, while you don’t technically need a lawyer, you’ll probably have very real injuries and other damage to deal with that will vary depending on the specifics of your case.
Getting the right legal help is vital for your recovery. At Maison Law, we’ll assist you by investigating the accident, proving the other driver was under the influence, gathering medical records, explaining your rights, negotiating with insurance companies, and filing a lawsuit if necessary.
Our goal is to make this difficult time easier for you and your family. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t pay anything upfront to get our help.
What Legal Options Do You Have After a Madera DUI Accident?
When a driver is caught under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, they face both criminal and civil penalties. As a victim of a DUI accident in Madera, your case falls on the civil side of things. Because of the severe challenges of these accidents, you have the right to file an injury claim, just like in any other car accident.
You generally have two main options:
- Filing an insurance claim with the responsible person’s carrier. This happens outside of court.
- Filing a lawsuit against the responsible person in civil court.
By filing a claim, you can seek financial support for damages related to your specific injuries and losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care needs
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Vehicle repairs or replacements
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death expenses
Even with this right to file a claim, there’s a few important factors. First and foremost, you have to file within Califonrioa’s statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you can’t file a claim at all. But before you even get to the filing part of the process, you have to understand who has to pay for your damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a DUI Accident in Madera?
Figuring out who’s at fault in a DUI accident is usually straightforward. The driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and caused the accident will bear most of the legal responsibility (or “liability”) for the resulting accident. This means they’ll have to pay for your damages.
However, DUI accidents can involve other factors beyond just impaired driving. Like any car accident, multiple people or groups could share some of the liability:
- Owners of the car, if they allowed the impaired person to drive
- Other drivers not directly involved in the accident
- Party or event hosts that provided alcohol or drugs
- Bars or restaurants that served alcohol to the person that was already intoxicated
- The Madera city government if the road conditions played a part in the accident
- Makers of the car or its parts if there was a malfunction
Knowing who’s responsible is crucial to getting the financial support you need for your injuries and damages, especially after an expensive DUI accident. You also need to build a strong claim to support your case.
How Do You Support Your DUI Injury Claim?
Just having the right to file an injury claim isn’t an automatic ticket to damages, even when the other driver is under the influence. Rather, once you decide you want to file a claim, you have to start thinking about what information and evidence you have to support your claim. So, when you’re involved in one of these accidents, here’s what you need to do to get this information:
- Call 911 – Quickly dial 911 to request an ambulance and inform the Madera Police Department or Madera County Sheriff’s Office if you think the other driver is under the influence. This helps create a record of the driver’s impairment.
- Collect evidence at the scene – At the accident scene, gather evidence and document any signs of the other driver’s impairment. Keep all related documents and avoid fixing your vehicle or property until you’ve fully documented the damage.
- Seek further medical care – Get checked by a doctor at an emergency room, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records will link your injuries to the DUI accident, which is crucial for your claim.
- Cooperate with police – More so than a normal car accident, the police are going to be heavily involved in a potential DUI. Provide a clear statement to the police about why you believe the other driver was impaired. This information strengthens your case by documenting the driver’s condition and how it caused the accident.
Following these steps helps build a strong case for your claim and ensures you have the information needed to support it. But remember, the nature of DUI accidents usually means serious injuries and other factors that are going to play into your claim.
What Factors Play Into a DUI Injury Claim in Madera?
While it’s not all that complicated in terms of the cause, an injury claim that comes out of a person driving under the influence and hurting you or a loved one is going to have unique factors for your potential claim. Whether it’s injuries, the type of accident, or other things, here’s what you can expect to factor into your claim:
- How injured you are – The worse your injuries, the more damages you may receive. Serious injuries, which are common in DUI accidents, usually lead to higher payouts for medical costs and pain.
- Proof of impairment – Showing the other driver was under the influence is crucial. This can be done with police reports, sobriety test results, or witness accounts.
- Medical records – Your medical records need to show your injuries are from the DUI accident. This includes records of treatment and ongoing care.
- Visual evidence – Photos and videos from the scene help prove what happened and the impact of the accident.
- Witness statements – Statements from people who saw the accident can support your claim, especially if they noticed the other driver was impaired.
- Police reports – Police reports that describe the accident and the driver’s condition (with blood or other sobriety test results) can strengthen your case. Make sure to get a copy.
The impact of a DUI accident can be severe, especially for innocent victims who often face the greatest challenges. Regardless of how serious your situation is, we’re here to help you recover the damages you’ve suffered from the accident.
Get Legal Support for DUI Accidents in Madera
Handling the aftermath of a DUI accident in Madera can be incredibly difficult, but exploring your legal options is crucial for taking care of your losses. Our Madera DUI injury lawyers at Maison Law are dedicated to providing the legal guidance support you need. Contact us today for a free consultation and begin the recovery process.
