Impaired Driving Accident Lawyer Camarillo
Impaired driving accidents are the direct result of a choice someone made to get behind the wheel knowing they were not fit to drive. When that choice costs you your health, your income, or someone you love, California law gives you the right to hold that driver fully accountable. A Camarillo impaired driving accident lawyer knows how to build the kind of claim that reflects the full weight of what happened.
If you were injured by an impaired driver in Camarillo or anywhere in the surrounding area, you are not limited to what the at-fault driver’s insurance is willing to offer. In cases involving drunk or drugged driving, California also allows victims to seek punitive damages on top of compensatory damages.
Call Bojat Law Group today at (818) 877-4878 to speak with a Camarillo car accident lawyer who will review your case, explain your options, and fight for every dollar you are owed.
What is Impaired Driving?
The term “impaired driving” describes the act of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which considerably reduces one’s capacity to do so safely. This impairment may result in diminished cognitive function, poorer judgment, longer response times, decreased coordination, and decreased cognitive function—all of which raise the possibility of traffic accidents. Because it may be harmful to both the driver and other people, driving while intoxicated is prohibited in all jurisdictions. This is a grave infraction that, depending on the seriousness of the act and any subsequent accidents or injuries, may lead to fines, license suspension, or even jail time.
California DUI Laws
Impaired driving accidents are very common in the state of California, and most times, they can be severe and traumatizing for victims. Impaired driving is driving while impaired by any substance, including alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit drugs.
What BAC Indicates That a Person is Legally Impaired?
It is against California Vehicle Code 23152 for someone to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both. A person’s BAC must be 0.08% or more. DUI laws only apply to drugs that cause impairment.
Drunk Driving Penalties
Driving while impaired by a substance can affect a driver’s judgment and coordination. Accidents caused by impaired drivers are usually preventable. The penalties for impaired driving in Camarillo are grave; anyone found guilty of it can face jail time up to one year for misdemeanor charges, and prison commitment for felony cases.
As a victim of an impaired driving accident in Camarillo, you may want to seek retribution or compensation, depending on the severity of your injuries. The best way to do this is to seek the counsel of an experienced Camarillo car accident lawyer experienced in DUI cases to provide you with the highest-quality legal help. At Bojat Law Group, we are committed to helping you hold the impaired driver accountable, and get you the maximum settlement you deserve.
How DUI Affects My Insurance in California?
Getting DUI charges (driving under the influence) conviction in California can significantly impact your auto insurance. Here’s how:
Increased Premiums: After DUI charges, insurance companies typically see you as a high-risk driver. This leads to a substantial increase in your premiums, sometimes doubling or even tripling your rates.
SR-22 Requirement: California law requires drivers convicted of a DUI to file an SR-22 form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. This form proves that you carry the minimum required auto insurance. Your insurance company will file this on your behalf, often resulting in additional fees.
Policy Cancellation or Non-Renewal: Some insurance companies may choose to cancel your policy or not renew it upon learning of your DUI conviction. You may need to find a new insurer that specializes in high-risk policies, which can be more expensive.
Loss of Discounts: Discounts for good driving records, multi-car policies, or other factors may be revoked following a DUI. This can further increase your overall insurance costs.
Future Implications: The DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for ten years in California. During this period, you can expect higher insurance rates and difficulty in obtaining affordable coverage.
In addition, dealing with the aftermath of a DUI conviction often involves coordinating with various parties, including insurance adjusters, and gathering essential documents such as medical records and insurance information. If other vehicles are involved in the incident, the complexity increases. It’s also important to consider non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering when dealing with major injuries or even dog bites that might have occurred during the incident.
For those facing a DUI conviction, seeking a free consultation with a legal professional can provide valuable guidance on managing insurance challenges and pursuing the best possible outcome for your situation. Call Bojat Law Group today at (818) 877-4878 and help us navigate your personal injury case.
What Are the Three Main Causes of Impaired Driving?
The three main causes of impaired driving are:
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is one of the most common causes of impaired driving. Consuming alcohol affects a person’s coordination, reaction time, judgment, and ability to focus, making it dangerous to operate a vehicle.
Drug Use
The use of drugs, both illicit and prescribed medicines, may make it more difficult for a motorist to drive a car safely. Drugs can affect cognitive function, motor skills, and perception, increasing the risk of accidents.
Fatigue
Fatigue can impair a driver’s ability to stay alert and focused on the road, leading to slower reaction times, distracted driving, and poor decision-making. Driving while drowsy or fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Commercial truck drivers are particularly associated with fatigue-related crashes
Common Types of Accidents Caused by a Drunk Driver
Here are the common types of car accidents, caused by driving under the influence:
- Pedestrian accidents: Driving under the influence may cause vision impairments, especially at night. A drunk driver may not see a pedestrian because of his or her low vision. This type of impaired driving accident is usually catastrophic, and may even lead to death. Pedestrian accidents, especially those caused by impaired driving, can be particularly devastating. If you or a loved one has been a victim of such an accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. Sasha Bojat, your pedestrian accident lawyer in Camarillo, is ready to assist you.
- Rear-end collisions: When under the influence, a person’s sense of distance and space is also impaired, and their reaction to time is slow. An impaired driver would be unable to react quickly in traffic and cause rear-end collisions.
- Wrong-way wrecks: An impaired driver may not realize he is driving the wrong way, because of his inability to competently understand traffic signs. This could lead to wrong-way wrecks.
- Head-on collisions: Impaired drivers may become drowsy due to intoxication and swerve into oncoming traffic in a head-on collision.
Most Common Injuries Following Drunk Driving Accidents
Following drunk driving accidents, victims commonly sustain
- traumatic brain injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- fractures
- internal injuries
- soft tissue injuries
- lacerations
- emotional trauma
These injuries can have devastating consequences, leading to long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges for the victims and their families. In some tragic cases, drunk driving accidents result in wrongful death. Seeking legal assistance from experienced personal injury lawyers can help victims pursue compensation to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the accident.
What Alcohol Does to Motor Skills Behind the Wheel?
Impaired coordination and motor skills are signs of alcohol-impaired driving. When people drink alcohol, it affects the way their central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord—sends communication signals to one another. This can cause a loss of coordination and be daunting to the driver when trying to steer and apply the brakes and accelerator. Poor coordination can cause weaving, drifting between lanes, and poor responses to road hazards, all of which significantly increase the chances of accidents.
Who Is Most At Risk for Impaired Driving?
Several factors can increase the risk of impaired driving, including:
Young Drivers: Young drivers, particularly those under the age of 21, are more likely to engage in impaired or reckless driving, due to peer pressure, a lack of experience, and risk-taking behaviors.
Repeat Offenders: Individuals with a history of previous impaired driving offenses are at higher risk of repeating the behavior, especially if they have not undergone effective intervention or treatment.
Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: Those struggling with substance use disorders, including alcoholism or drug addiction, are more likely to engage in impaired driving as a result of their dependence on these substances.
Males: Statistics show that males are more likely than females to engage in impaired driving behaviors, although the gap has been narrowing in recent years.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
A seasoned Camarillo car accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your car accident case. This includes dealing with the insurance company, gathering police reports, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. Our personal injury lawyers are skilled at navigating personal injury law to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your medical bills, future medical expenses, and other damages.
After an accident occurs, your lawyer will guide you through the claims process. This involves filing a car accident claim with the other party’s insurance company, providing necessary medical records, and demonstrating the extent of your injuries and financial losses. In wrongful injury claims and death cases, personal injury attorneys can help the family seek justice and recover compensation for their loss.
Call Camarillo Impaired Driving Accident Lawyer
If an impaired driver hurt you or someone in your family, you deserve more than a lowball settlement from an insurance company looking to close your file as cheaply as possible. California law gives victims of drunk, drugged, and fatigued drivers the right to pursue full compensation including punitive damages in cases where the conduct was especially reckless.
Bojat Law Group represents injured victims throughout Camarillo and Ventura County and has the experience to take on carriers and defense attorneys who will fight to minimize what you recover. Call us today at (818) 877-4878 for a free consultation with a Camarillo impaired driving accident lawyer. No upfront costs, no fee unless we win your case.
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“Sasha was absolutely amazing!! Very attentive, very communicative, and would always handle each interaction with white gloves. He worked with the very best to make sure I was taken care of and recovered accordingly. At the end of the day, he exceeded my expectations by a large margin. Thank you, Sasha!!”
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They transparent this law group is one of a kind and I couldn’t be more grateful to have found them.”
Dylan Short
“Sasha was wonderful handling my case. Explained everything in detail where we could understand the process. My case was handled smoothly and efficiently. His eased all our worries when it came to getting compensation for my case. Very accommodating! Would recommend him to anyone.”
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