Santa Clara Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers ca

How Alcohol Affects a Driver’s Ability to Drive

It is common knowledge that alcohol impairs one’s judgment and reasoning and reduces the function of the brain. Despite drivers feeling they are clear-minded enough to drive, drunkenness is not determined by their ability to function but rather their BAC or blood alcohol concentration. 

Regardless of how “sober” you may feel, an elevated blood alcohol level can seriously affect your ability to function and concentrate. 

It may not take as many drinks as you think to raise your blood alcohol level, making it harder to drive safely. A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of 5% alcohol beer, one and a half ounces of 40% alcohol liquor, or 5 ounces of 12% alcohol wine. 

Weight is also a factor that affects one’s BAC. Women, who normally weigh less than men, may see a higher BAC level per drink compared to that of a man. 

In the state of California, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or more, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.01% if the driver is under the age of 21. But even with a BAC between 0.02% – 0.05%, a driver may experience a decline in visual functions, reduced coordination, difficulty in steering, and reduced response to emergency driving situations. 

Most Common Injuries in a Drunk Driving Accident

It has been established that drunk drivers have difficulty controlling their vehicle or keeping awake while behind the wheel. These careless actions can sometimes lead to fatal car accidents or catastrophic injuries. Below we have listed some of the most common bodily injuries sustained in a drunk driving accident:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs are quite popular in car accidents. Minor head injuries may go away on their own in time, but severe head injuries may seriously affect an accident victim’s way of life due to a change in mood, memory loss, vision, and more. 

Spinal Cord Injury

If the spine is severely injured, this may lead to partial or total body paralysis. Discs may also rupture or slip, causing chronic pain and possible nerve damage.

Broken Bones

These types of injuries may require surgery or long-term care. In worst-case scenarios, a limb may be in need of amputation due to the accident. 

Internal Organ Injuries

Organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and spleen are the most common organs to be injured in a motor vehicle accident. When these organs are injured they may result in internal bleeding. 

Burns 

In severe traffic accidents, cars involved in these crashes may explode and catch on fire. Accident victims could suffer severe burns and disfigurement. 

Signs of a Drunk Driver

It is good to take proactive measures and learn some of the telltale signs of a drunk driver on the road. Here are some of the signs that may help you identify if another motorist on the road is under the influence of alcohol:

• Trouble staying in their lane
• Sharp or jerky turns, sudden maneuvers, and over-correction of steering
• Failure to maintain speed, driving too slow or too fast
• Inability to judge the road and proximity to other objects
• Driving over curbs, weaving, or straddling lines
• Stopping short, overshooting, or abruptly stopping at a traffic signal or stop sign
• Failure to adapt driving to accommodate changes in surroundings or driving conditions
• Failure to signal or making signals that do not reflect the driver’s actions
• Driving at night without light or failure to dim high beams

Always keep these key signs in mind and be vigilant while on the road. 

What Should You Do Once You Spot a Drunk Driver?

Now that we’ve established a few of the most common signs in spotting a drunk driver, you must know what to do if you ever encounter one on the road. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe and avoid an accident:

• Ensure that both you and any passengers you may have are correctly wearing your seatbelts
• Stay far behind or keep as much distance away from the suspected drunk driver. Intoxicated drivers tend to stop abruptly.
• Get out of the way. Do not attempt to pass the car.
• Stop and pull off the road if it is safe to do so. 
• Contact 911 and report the location, direction of travel, description of the car, and behavior of the driver. 
• Do not attempt to stop the drunk driver on your own. Leave that to the proper authorities!

What Should You Do If You Were Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident and wish to file a claim against the party responsible, there are several things you must do after your accident to ensure you have a strong and valid claim. The following are a few ways you may help to keep the integrity of your case: 

• Contact 911. A police officer must be at the accident scene. Ensure that the police officer at the scene files a police report. Procure the number of the accident report. This may be used by your accident attorney to help strengthen the validity of your personal injury claim. 
• Seek medical care. Make sure that you and any other passengers receive medical care immediately after the accident. Even if you suspect you may have sustained only minor injuries, you must have yourself thoroughly assessed by a medical professional. Some injuries may not present themselves outwardly. 
• Document the accident scene. Take as many photos of the accident scene as you can from different angles. Photograph any pertinent details you may find as well, such as skid marks, signs or stop lights, or lighting. 
• Gather information from the at-fault driver. Collect the other driver’s information such as name, phone number, license, plate number, and if possible, their insurance company information.
• Document your injuries. Take photographs of your injuries before getting them treated and during the healing process as well. 
• Collect witness information. If there were witnesses, collect their important information as well. 
• Contact your Santa Clara drunk driving accident lawyer. At Farahi Law Firm, our Santa Clara personal injury lawyers are ready to lend a hand and offer legal assistance to help you recover fair compensation for your physical injuries and property damage. 

What Types of Compensation Can an Accident Victim Recover in a Drunk Driving Accident?

As the injured person, you are entitled to compensation to cover medical costs or out-of-pocket expenses that have stemmed from the accident. Our Santa Clara drunk driving accident lawyers will aggressively fight to recover a fair settlement so you can get your life back on track. 

As the accident victim, you may be entitled to the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical expenses
• Physical therapy
• Property damage repair
• Loss of income
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment
• Loss of consortium
• And more

If your loved one’s wrongful death was caused by a careless driver, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim for their injuries and damages. It is crucial to hire an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer to help you through the complicated claims process. 

Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident? Contact Expert Santa Clara Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one have been injured in an alcohol-related collision due to a negligent driver, you must file an auto accident claim against the liable party. To ensure you receive a favorable accident settlement a Santa Clara drunk driving accident lawyer will know the best course of action to take. 

Not only will Farahi Law Firm’s expert team of lawyers, doctors, and case managers handle all the complex paperwork of your case, but we will also put you in touch with the best doctors in California. We will handle all the dealings with the insurance adjuster so you can focus solely on your recovery. 

Our Santa Clara DUI lawyers are committed to winning. This is why we work on a contingency fee basis and offer our clients a No Fee Guarantee. This means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case. 

Contact us at (408) 715-3296 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.