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Although California has strict drunk driving laws, drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause thousands of deaths on San Francisco roads each year. If you have been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, an Allegiance Law attorney could help you establish liability against the intoxicated driver, and will pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation in respect of monetary damages, the pain and suffering inflicted by your injuries, and an additional award of punitive damages against the intoxicated driver.

Drunk driving accident statistics in California that you need to know

Drunk driving is a major problem in San Francisco and throughout California. Drivers who make a choice to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol regularly cause devastating injuries and fatalities. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, alcohol-related collisions resulted in 27,000 injuries and 1,069 total fatalities during the latest reporting year of data available. During that year, and in most of the previous five calendar years, drunk driving has been responsible for approximately 30% of all traffic-related fatalities.

Most common San Francisco drunk driving accident injuries

For those that do survive a drunk driving crash, their injuries are often severe. San Francisco drunk driving accident victims regularly sustain the following injuries:

  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Open head wounds
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Other severe neck or back injury
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Amputations
  • Crush injuries

Aside from these acute and traumatic injuries, the San Francisco drunk driving accident lawyers at Allegiance law also help victims in these cases who have sustained significant emotional and psychological trauma.

The Laws Relating to Drunk Driving Accidents in San Francisco

When you instruct an Allegiance Law attorney to handle your San Francisco drunk driving accident case, we can take some of the weight off your shoulders. Leaving you free to recover from your injuries and move on with your life, we will navigate the complexities of the California legal system on your behalf. However, we understand that you may prefer to be informed about the legislation applicable to your case, so we have briefly outlined it here.

  • Driving under the influence (DUI) laws in California prohibit a driver form operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, with zero tolerance for drivers under 18
  • Those under 21, or who have a history of DUI, are subject to a limit of 0.01%
  • Commercial vehicle drivers’ limit is 0.04%
  • Being intoxicated is not acceptable as a defense

When you speak to a San Francisco drunk driving accident attorney about your case, they can explain the legislation in more depth, if you would like them to do so.

The Drunk Driver May Not Be Solely Responsible

While any driver who chooses to take control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is, of course, responsible for their own actions and should be held liable for any consequences, there are some cases where others may also be held liable.

For example, where alcohol has been sold to a driver aged under 21, dram shop liability may mean that the bar, restaurant, or other establishment who provided the alcohol could be liable for damages which are incurred as a result.

As experienced San Francisco drunk driving accident attorneys, we are also aware that DUI can often occur alongside other motoring offenses. It is not uncommon for those who drive while intoxicated to be found to also be driving without insurance, or without holding a valid license.

When you instruct an Allegiance Law drunk driving accident attorney to handle you case, we will work tirelessly to explore all avenues, and all potential sources of liability. While you recover from your injuries, you can have confidence in your attorney’s ability to prove this liability, gather all relevant evidence, and present a strong case on your behalf.

What type of compensation can you receive for a drunk driving accident claim?

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a drunk driving accident, there may be various types of compensation available for your injuries and other losses. At Allegiance Law, our team is regularly able to help victims recover the following:

  • Full payment for medical bills
  • Lost income if a victim cannot work
  • General household out-of-pocket expenses they incur
  • Property damage expenses
  • Loss of quality of life damages
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the drunk driver

The total amount of compensation available in these cases will vary depending on the circumstances related to each particular crash.

How long do you have to file a drunk driving accident claim in San Francisco?

Victims of drunk driving accidents in San Francisco have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. The California personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date the injury occurred. This gives SF drunk driving accident victims a two-year window with which to file a lawsuit in civil court. Failing to do so within this timeframe will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they deserve.

You should work with a skilled San Francisco drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after your collision in order to ensure that all deadlines are met for your case. Please understand that this statutory two-year limit has nothing to do with insurance company deadlines. Typically, these incidents must be reported within a day or two after the collision occurs.

Speak to a San Francisco Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today

To discuss your San Francisco drunk driving accident with a reputable, esteemed attorney, call Allegiance Law today at 415-404-6395 to schedule an initial consultation.