Sacramento Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

More Than 50 Years of Combined Legal Experience for People Hurt by Drunk Drivers

The decision to drink and drive has resulted in thousands of innocent California residents being badly injured or killed. Drunk driving accidents are particularly tragic because they are preventable. Sacramento-area roads see serious alcohol-related crashes each year, and the consequences for victims can include severe injuries, prolonged medical treatment, and significant financial loss.

At Piering Law Firm, our team brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience to helping injured clients pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, and other accident-related expenses. We’re prepared to confront large insurance companies on your behalf. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver in California, our attorneys can investigate the collision and document your losses. Evidence in these cases can include the crash report, witness information, photographs, medical records, vehicle damage, and documentation of the other driver’s impairment. Acting quickly to preserve that evidence matters.

How to Determine Liability After a Drunk Driving Incident

What should you do if you’ve been hit by a drunk driver with no insurance? Establishing liability isn’t always enough if the impaired driver has too little insurance or none at all. California requires drivers to carry insurance, but the available coverage may still fall short of your losses. Liability can depend on the impaired driver’s conduct, the facts documented by law enforcement, and the evidence connecting the crash to your injuries. When the at-fault driver carries little or no insurance, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may become relevant, and reviewing both the at-fault driver’s policy and your own policy language is often necessary.

If the drunk driver has insurance, we handle the insurance claim and all negotiations on your behalf. We identify applicable coverage and pursue compensation for injuries caused by the impaired driver.

Are Bars Liable for Drunk Drivers?

This type of liability, also known as “Dram Shop Law,” refers to holding restaurants or bars responsible for over-serving customers who then cause a drunk driving accident after leaving the establishment. Specific laws regarding dram shop liability differ from one state to the next.

California generally limits third-party claims against alcohol providers after drunk driving accidents. However, there are several exceptions to this rule:

• If the bar or restaurant knowingly served alcohol to an “obviously intoxicated” minor who later causes the accident (California Business and Professions Code section 25602.1)
• If a parent, guardian, or other adult knowingly furnishes alcohol to a minor at their residence, and that act is later found to be the “proximate cause” of the accident (California Civil Code section 1714(d))

Whether an alcohol-provider claim is viable depends on the age of the person served, the provider’s conduct, the available evidence, and causation. These cases are fact-specific and require careful analysis.

What Determines the Value of a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

Drunk driving crashes can involve head-on collisions or a driver running through a stop sign or red light without attempting to slow down. These crashes can result in traumatic injuries requiring prolonged hospitalization and multiple surgeries, and the full cost of recovery is often difficult to calculate from the start.

There’s no reliable average settlement that applies to every drunk driving crash. Claim value can depend on a range of factors specific to your situation.

Potential economic losses can include:

• Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
• Therapy and medical equipment
• Lost wages and diminished future earnings
• Property damage

Potential non-economic losses can include:

• Physical and emotional suffering
• Depression and anxiety
• Permanent disfigurement or disability

In cases involving sufficiently egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be considered under California law, though availability depends on the specific facts. Past results don’t predict the outcome of any individual claim.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash in Sacramento

Steps to take include:

1. Seek emergency care and report the crash: Call 911 and make sure law enforcement responds, whether the accident occurs on I-80, Highway 50, or a local Sacramento street.
2. Exchange and collect information: Gather the other driver’s contact details, insurance information, license plate number, and witness names and contact information.
3. Obtain official documentation: Request a copy of the police report, as insurers often rely on it when determining fault.
4. Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, roadway conditions, and any visible injuries.
5. Follow medical treatment and keep records: Attend all appointments and save bills, receipts, and documentation related to your injuries and damages. Don’t delay treatment, as symptoms can change after a collision.
6. Be cautious with insurance companies: Avoid discussing fault or giving detailed statements before understanding your legal options.
7. Consult our local attorneys: Speaking with our Sacramento drunk driving accident lawyers can help you handle insurer communications and understand important deadlines, including California’s general two-year filing deadline for personal injury claims. Different deadlines may apply when a government entity, minor, delayed discovery, or another exception is involved.

How Sacramento Crash Location Affects Records & Your Case

Crashes on major corridors such as Interstate 5, Interstate 80, US 50, and State Route 99 may be handled by the California Highway Patrol Valley Division, while the Sacramento Police Department may respond on city streets. Crash location can determine which law-enforcement agency responds, where records are requested, and which court or government entity may be relevant to your case. The responding agency’s documentation can become important evidence.

At Piering Law Firm, we understand the Sacramento court system. We identify the responding agency, obtain available records, and evaluate how that documentation bears on liability.

We Handle the Legal Work While You Recover

We also recognize the emotional and financial toll that a drunk driving accident can take on you and your family. We handle the legal aspects of your case, from negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court. We offer consultations in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Spanish, to help you access the guidance you need.

Sacramento Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys with Trial Experience

Drunk driving accident cases in Sacramento require both liability analysis and thorough damages documentation. Two of our lawyers, Robert Allen Piering and John Beals, have represented individuals injured in California car crashes for more than 35 years collectively. That experience matters when it comes to gathering evidence, understanding how insurers evaluate claims, and knowing how Sacramento courts handle these disputes.

We understand the Sacramento court system and have experience getting evidence admitted in cases. How evidence is gathered and evaluated during an investigation can affect settlement negotiations and litigation. We prepare cases for court when settlement isn’t appropriate. Our broader team brings more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every client we represent.

Schedule a free and confidential consultation by filling out our online form or calling (916) 476-2399. We won’t charge a legal fee unless we recover compensation for you. Se habla español.