How To File A Drunk Driving Accident Claim In Bakersfield
Drunk driving accidents are a serious problem in Bakersfield and throughout the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 32 people in the U.S. die in DUI accidents every day. These accidents can result in serious injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma for the victims and their families.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident in Bakersfield, it’s important to know your rights and how to file a claim. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process of filing a drunk driving accident claim in Bakersfield.
This article is going to discuss:
- Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
- Common Injuries Caused By Drunk Driving Accidents
- How To File A Drunk Driving Accident Claim In Bakersfield
- Why Seek Legal Help
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
Alcohol impairs brain function, including thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination –– all of which are crucial for safe driving. As alcohol levels increase, the negative effects on the central nervous system worsen. The stomach and small intestine absorb alcohol, which then enters the bloodstream and accumulates until it is processed by the liver.
Even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive, and their blood alcohol level determines the severity of the impairment. DUI accidents are the consequences of negligent and reckless acts. Even if you think a simple beer can’t have a meaningful impact on your life, alcohol can change everything.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States:
- Fatal crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver result in 32 deaths every day. That means one person dies every 45 minutes due to this issue.
- Drunk driving crashes caused the deaths of 229 children between the ages of 0-14. This represents 21% of all traffic-related fatalities in that age group.
- In 2020, the estimated cost of crash deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers was $123.3 billion. This includes both medical costs and estimates of the value of lost lives.
- Crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers resulted in numerous deaths. Of those deaths, 62% were caused by the alcohol-impaired drivers themselves. The remaining 38% were passengers of alcohol-impaired drivers, drivers or passengers of another vehicle, or non-occupants like pedestrians.
Victim of a DUI accident?
Common Types Of Injuries Caused By Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents continue to pose a significant risk to public safety, resulting in devastating consequences for crash victims and their families. When drivers choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, their impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and reduced coordination can lead to severe injuries.
Alcohol impairment can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries and life-threatening problems. Some of the most common drunk driving accident injuries are:
Head Injuries
A drunk driver’s negligence can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), skull fracture, concussion, or other head injuries to themselves, passengers, or other drivers.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Drunk driving accidents can also result in spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, and other complications.
Broken Bones
Victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer from broken bones, such as arms, legs, hips, ribs, and pelvis.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and contusions can occur in drunk driving accidents, leading to severe pain and discomfort.
Internal Injuries
Drunk driving accidents can cause internal injuries like organ damage, internal bleeding, and punctured lungs.
Burns
In some cases, drunk driving accidents can result in burns caused by fires or explosions.
Emotional Trauma
Victims of drunk driving accidents may also suffer from emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Wrongful Death
DUI accidents can lead to wrongful death and cause devastating emotional scars to the family and friends of the victim. If a traffic accident caused by a driver with blood alcohol content results in death, it is possible to file a wrongful death claim in Bakersfield.
It’s important to note that these injuries can vary in severity depending on the nature of the accident and the speed at which the vehicles were traveling. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, seek immediate medical attention and legal help.
We can get you the medical treatment you need and the money you deserve.
Steps To File A Drunk Driving Accident Claim In Bakersfield
Being involved in a Bakersfield drunk driving accident can be a traumatic and life-changing event. In addition to the physical and emotional pain, drunk driving accident victims often face significant financial burdens due to medical bills, lost wages, and other economic or non-economic damages. Filing a drunk driving accident claim can be a crucial step for victims to seek compensation for their financial losses and hold the drunk driver accountable for their negligence.
The following are steps necessary to take to file a drunk driving accident claim in Bakersfield:
Seek medical attention
If you or anyone involved in the accident has been injured, seek medical attention immediately. Your health and safety should always be the top priority.
Contact the police
Call the police and report the accident. The police will investigate the accident, collect evidence, and create an accident report. This report will be crucial evidence when filing your claim.
Gather information
Collect as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. This includes the names and contact information of all parties involved, insurance information, and witness statements.
Hire an attorney
It’s highly recommended to hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your claim. A drunk driving accident lawyer can navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Notify your insurance company
Contact your insurance company and notify them of the accident. They will begin their own investigation and may provide coverage for some of your expenses.
File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
If the other driver was at fault, you’ll need to file a claim with their insurance company. Your drunk driving accident attorney can help you with your claim process and negotiate on your behalf.
Keep records
Keep a record of all your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses related to the accident. These records will be important evidence when negotiating a settlement.
Why Seek Legal Help
Filing a drunk driving accident claim in Bakersfield can be a complex and overwhelming process. However, with the right guidance, you can navigate the claim process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Remember to prioritize your health and safety, hire an experienced attorney that can provide legal counsel, and keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses.
Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Claim: FAQs
As you navigate the process of seeking compensation for damages and injuries resulting from a Bakersfield drunk driving accident, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the common questions that may arise in such claims. Here are some frequently asked questions about this topic:
What is the statute of limitations for filing a claim after a drunk driving accident in Bakersfield?
The state of California imposes a two-year legal limit for filing a personal injury claim. This limit starts from the date of the accident. It is important to keep this timeline in mind when considering legal action for personal injury cases in California.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
If the intoxicated driver doesn’t have insurance, you may still be able to file an insurance claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage. A personal injury attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement and ensure your rights are respected.
What damages can I recover?
You may be able to recover financial damages for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, pain, and suffering, and other expenses related to the accident. Also is possible to recover punitive damages, which are focused to punish the negligent party and function as a preventative measure to alert other drivers to not go against the rules.
Get The Help You Need. Call Ayuda California Now!
Ayuda California is an award-winning personal injury law firm dedicated to helping victims. We work aggressively to ensure your legal rights are respected, and you get the maximum compensatory damages for your injuries and economic and non-economic losses.
As personal injury lawyers fighting for justice, we condemn negligent driving acts that affect innocents, and we will fight tirelessly to obtain justice and punish those who have hurt our clients. We are here to listen to you, understand your case, and get you the maximum compensation you deserve!
Call us now. We are ready to win your case. Available 24/7. We speak Spanish, English, and Filipino.
