Orange County Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 34. Thirty-two people in the United States die every day in an alcohol-involved traffic accident. In 2007, 37.5 percent of all traffic fatalities in California involved alcohol. Additionally, there were 30,783 non-fatal alcohol-involved accidents in 2007, accounting for 11.5 percent of all automobile accidents in California. After an eight-year rising trend, California’s alcohol-related traffic fatalities decreased by 6.8 percent in 2007.

In 2008, California had the second highest total number of alcohol-involved traffic accident fatalities in the nation, with a significant number of these drunk driving accidents occurring in Orange County. Even though proportionally California does not lead in alcohol-involved traffic accident fatalities, its 37.5 percent of alcohol-involved traffic fatalities was higher than the national average of 32 percent in 2007. Thirty percent of Americans will be involved with an alcohol-related accident at some point in their life; therefore it is essential to know how to spot drunk drivers and what to do if you suspect someone of driving under the influence.

If a loved one has died in a drunk driving accident, or you’ve been seriously injured, you have legal rights. Contact The Roberts | Jeandron Law Firm to learn more about filing a claim and pursuing compensation. You could be entitled to monetary damages to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.

Types of Injuries

While approximately one person dies every 45 minutes due to an alcohol-involved traffic accident, alcohol-involved accidents cause non-fatal injuries approximately every two minutes. These non-fatal injuries include whiplash, broken bones, back injury, knee damage, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although all of these injuries are common in drunk driving accidents, 20 percent of TBI injuries are caused by automobile accidents, many of which are alcohol-involved.

Recovery

Although the criminal courts hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions, the criminal courts don’t provide victims of alcohol-involved traffic accidents with a form of compensation for their physical injuries. Victims of drunk driving accidents are, however, able to recover civil damages through the civil court system. These civil damages include medical bills, lost income, loss of enjoyment of life, and punitive damages. Civil damages are even available to victims who are passengers in a car with a drunk driver who caused an accident. If you have suffered injuries from an alcohol-involved traffic accident, personal injury attorney Jeff Roberts can help you receive financial compensation through the civil court system. With over 10 years in experience in personal injury litigation, Mr. Roberts has helped victims of drunk driving accidents throughout Orange County receive the monetary compensation they deserve.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Drunk driving accidents are most likely to occur in the evenings and on weekends. The rate of alcohol-involved fatal traffic accidents in California was four times higher at night than during the day with 36 percent of fatal alcohol-involved traffic accidents occurring in the evening versus the 9 percent of alcohol-involved traffic accidents occurring during the day. Additionally, 15 percent of all fatal traffic accidents involved alcohol impaired drivers during the week while 31 percent involved alcohol impaired drivers on weekends.

How to Spot a Drunk Driver

There are many signs that a driver may be drunk, including swerving, random speed changes, and excessive braking. Additionally, drunk drivers often operate their vehicles without their lights on in the evening and frequently drive on the wrong side of the road. Drunk drivers have delayed responses to traffic conditions and often use the wrong turn signal when making a turn.

If You Suspect Someone Is Driving Under the Influence

Many drunk driving accidents can be avoided by someone interfering and reporting drunk drivers. The number of drunk driver reports has increased over the years which has saved many lives and prevented many injuries. If you suspect someone of driving under the influence take the following steps:

  • Stay as far away from the vehicle as possible
  • Dial the local highway patrol or police department to make a report
  • Report the license plate number, make, model and color of the car
  • Make sure to give the authorities your location and the direction the car is traveling

Contact The Roberts | Jeandron Law Firm

Injured victims of drunk driving accidents in Orange County should contact The Roberts | Jeandron Law Firm for experienced, aggressive legal representation. You could be entitled to significant financial compensation to cover the costs of medical care.