Fresno Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

A drunk driving accident can leave victims facing serious injuries, property damage, medical bills, and pressure from insurance companies. If an impaired driver caused your crash, a Fresno personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your losses.

Freedman Law represents drunk driving accident victims throughout Fresno and Fresno County. Our team has recovered over $1.25 billion for injured clients and is ready to help you hold the drunk driver accountable after a serious collision.

Why Select Our Injury Attorneys

• For more than 20 years, Freedman Law has represented injured people throughout the Central Valley, including victims of drunk driving accidents. Our attorneys understand how to investigate impaired driving crashes, deal with insurance companies, and build strong claims for compensation.
• We work closely with every client to identify all available paths to recovery, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
• With a sizeable and skilled support staff, we are available 24/7 to support our clients. Our law firm will maintain an open line of communication with you throughout your case.

The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

Driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), and drunk driving all describe operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol. These crashes can cause serious and fatal injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others on the road.

In addition to any criminal penalties the drunk driver may face, they may also be held financially responsible for the injuries and losses they caused. Evidence such as police reports, DUI citations, breath or blood alcohol testing, witness statements, crash scene evidence, and medical records can help support a drunk driving accident claim.

If you or someone you love was injured in a drunk driving accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with medical treatment, vehicle damage, missed work, insurance calls, and anger that the crash could have been prevented. Our car accident attorneys in Fresno can explain your options and help you take the next step toward recovery.

Common Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Drunk driving accidents can cause severe injuries because impaired drivers are more likely to speed, drift out of their lane, run red lights, or fail to react in time. As a result, other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists may suffer serious harm. When a drunk or impaired driver hits someone walking, our Fresno pedestrian accident lawyers can explain the legal options available to injured pedestrians and their families.

Some of the most common injuries in drunk driving accidents include the following.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: The brain is one of the most important organs in our body and we can suffer severe symptoms if it is injured. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs during a car accident when an object penetrates your skull, your head collides with another object or surface, or your brain collides into the side of your skull. TBIs can result in permanent disability and the need for lifelong care. A traumatic brain injury lawyer in Fresno can work with medical experts to calculate the damages incurred in the crash and the costs of ongoing medical care.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: During a drunk driving accident, your body can move and twist in unnatural ways. As a result, you can develop injuries in the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissues in your body. Whiplash, a painful soft tissue injury that affects the neck and upper back, is very common after car accidents.
• Broken Bones: Motor vehicle accidents can generate significant force, which can put pressure on the body and cause bones to break. These fractures can take months to heal. Some of the most common types of broken bones include hips, arms, legs, ribs, hands, and feet.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Not all drunk driving accident injuries are physical. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise after a traumatic event, such as a dangerous and life-threatening collision. People with PTSD can experience life-altering symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulty engaging in certain situations.
• Spinal Cord Damage: The spinal cord is responsible for helping our brain communicate with the rest of the body. However, it can become torn, twisted, or broken during a drunk driving accident. Any damage to the spinal cord can result in a loss of feeling and function below the injury site. A Fresno spinal cord injury attorney can help you fight for justice for the injuries suffered due to a negligent or impaired driver.
• Internal Organ Damage: A drunk driving accident can lead to internal organ damage and potentially life-threatening bleeding. Damage to the lungs, kidneys, liver, and stomach is especially common. After a drunk driving accident, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately and receive treatment for underlying or internal conditions before symptoms become too severe.

Are There Legal Options for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents?

If you are injured by a drunk driver, you have the right to pursue legal action against him or her. Not only can you press criminal charges against the driver, but you can also file a civil lawsuit or car insurance claim. Through a lawsuit or insurance claim, you can recover compensation for the damages you suffered in the collision, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

To prove your right to compensation, you will need to establish the at-fault driver’s negligence. There are four elements of negligence in California drunk driving accident claims.

• The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care.
• The at-fault driver breached that duty of care.
• The breach of duty caused your accident.
• You sustained damages that you can collect in the claim.

In California, all drivers owe a duty to drive safely and follow traffic laws. Drunk driving is highly illegal and dangerous. If you can prove that the driver was under the influence and caused your accident, you can establish your right to a settlement.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Drunk Driving Crash

After a drunk driving crash, accident victims may face medical bills, property damage, missed work, and calls from insurance adjusters. Insurance companies may try to limit what they pay, question the severity of your injuries, or push you into accepting a quick settlement before the full cost of your accident is clear.

A Fresno drunk driving accident lawyer can handle communication with the insurance companies, gather evidence, document your damages, and protect your car accident claim. This can be especially important when your injuries involve brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, long-term treatment, or permanent limitations.

Why Do You Need a Fresno Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

If you plan on filing an insurance claim or lawsuit after a drunk driving accident, you need an attorney on your side. By hiring a Fresno personal injury lawyer to represent your claim, you gain access to valuable resources, skills, and experience that you can leverage to support your right to compensation.

The aftermath of a drunk driving collision can be painful. A drunk driving accident lawyer from Freedman Law can handle all aspects of your case on your behalf, allowing you to focus on healing. If you need additional support, your attorney can connect you with doctors, chiropractors, and other specialists to aid your path to recovery.

Your lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and work to prove the drunk driver’s liability. They can also calculate the full value of your claim, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future treatment, and other accident-related losses. In more complex cases, your attorney may also use expert witnesses or accident reconstruction experts to support your claim.

Call a Fresno Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Now

If you were injured in a Fresno drunk driving accident, Freedman Law can fight for your right to maximum compensation. Our attorneys will work to hold the drunk driver accountable, deal with insurance companies, and protect your best interests. Call 559-447-9000 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with a Fresno drunk driving attorney.