Drunk Driving Attorney in Los Angeles

If you or someone you love has been involved in a drunk driving accident in Los Angeles, you may be owed significant compensation. You can speak with a Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer to determine whether you have grounds for a valid tort claim.

A skilled attorney can help you pursue compensation for the losses you experienced as a result of another party’s wrongful act. In the case of drunk driving accidents, the “wrongful act” is the other party’s decision to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

It can be challenging to prove that the other driver’s intoxication was the cause of your damages. Because of this, it can be a lifesaver to have a knowledgeable Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer on your side.

Fortunately, the legal team at Morgan & Morgan has over 35 years of experience fighting for victims who have suffered due to someone else’s negligence. As the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, we are uniquely equipped with the skills and resources to stand up to even the largest legal opponents

You should not be responsible for the financial, physical, and personal harm that another person’s actions caused. Medical bills and car repairs aren’t expenses that you should have to cover—and in the worst of scenarios, you also shouldn’t have to say goodbye to a loved one sooner than necessary. So don’t hesitate to take justice and get the means you may need to move forward with your life after the needless pain an accident has caused you.

To schedule a free case evaluation with Morgan & Morgan, complete the form on the Morgan & Morgan website now

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident

When you have been involved in a collision with a drunk driver, it is critical to take steps to protect your rights. To pursue a successful tort claim, you should consider the following important actions immediately after the crash:

Seek Medical Assessments

The most important issue following any motor vehicle collision is the health and safety of those involved. Even if you do not believe you are injured, make sure to get a medical assessment.

Some injuries do not present obvious symptoms until much later. Do not assume that you are fine, even if you do not feel hurt.

Speaking with a physician will ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Delaying treatment can also make it more difficult to prove that your injuries were the result of the accident.

Make sure to keep any medical records for use as evidence. Important medical documents in tort claims include:

• Treatment records
• Documentation of any diagnoses
• Medical bills, receipts, and invoices
• Any miscellaneous expenses related to medical care or travel

Your Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer will use these pieces of evidence to show that you suffered significant losses and costs. This will bolster your claim and help you get the repayment you deserve.

Report the Accident

In the city of Los Angeles, it is mandatory to report a car accident to the police if anyone is injured or killed. You must also report any accident resulting in at least $1,000 in property damage.

Even if the crash seems minor, it is a good idea to report it to the police. The responding officer will draft a police accident report.

This document will serve as evidence in your claim and will contain the following critical information:

• The time, date, and location of the crash
• The responding officer’s name
• Eyewitness statements
• Descriptions of the resulting injuries and damage

You should never admit fault, especially if your crash involved a driver under the influence of alcohol. When the police arrive, provide them with an accurate factual description of the circumstances of the accident. 

Document the Collision

Before you leave the scene of the wreck, make sure to document the accident. The more detail you can capture immediately following the collision, the better. 

Take photos of the accident scene. This includes pictures or videos of damage to the vehicles as well as resulting personal injuries. Capture images of the skid marks on the road and any debris that may have contributed to the incident. 

If anyone saw the accident happen, make sure to speak with them. Collect their contact information and take notes about what they saw happen. It is important to collect as much evidence as possible before leaving the scene. As time passes, it will become more difficult to get details about the mishap.

File an Insurance Claim

Before filing a drunk driving tort claim, you will need to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance provider. Contact the company as soon as possible after the collision to report the claim.

Provide them with relevant information, but be careful not to say anything that might decrease the value of your claim. It is a good idea to speak with a legal professional before attempting to negotiate with an adjuster.

The relevant coverage provider will investigate the claim you file. They may offer you a monetary settlement to resolve the claim. They may also deny the claim outright.

If they do not offer you a reasonable amount for the losses you suffered, consult with a Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer. The specialists at Morgan and Morgan know how to fight successfully against tightfisted insurance corporations.

Do not let a greedy company deny you the money you need to get your life back on track. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident, let Morgan & Morgan help.

Hire a Los Angeles Drunk Driving Lawyer

You deserve to be compensated for the difficulties that follow an accident that another person caused. Filing a tort claim after a collision involving a drunk driver can be a complex and challenging prospect. 

For this reason, it is vital to have an experienced personal injury attorney working for you. Your legal representative will help you navigate the legal system and advocate for your rights.

A Los Angeles drunk driving lawyer will investigate the facts of your case and help you gather powerful evidence to bolster your claim. They will understand the relevant statutes and regulations implicated in your case. They will use their expertise to craft a powerful legal argument in your favor.

A skilled litigator will also negotiate with the other party or their insurance provider. The team at Morgan & Morgan has decades of experience negotiating against adjusters trained to undervalue the claims of victims.

Most car accident cases do not proceed to the trial phase. However, some do. For this reason, it is important to hire a firm with the resources to pursue your case in court, if necessary.

If the opposing party is uncooperative, they may refuse to offer you a reasonable settlement. In cases like this, your legal representative should be ready to file a lawsuit on your behalf. 

Damages Recoverable Through Collision Tort Claims

Following any type of motor vehicle crash, the victim typically experiences many types of losses. Fortunately, a skilled attorney can help you recover compensation for the tangible and intangible losses you sustained.

The name for financial payments resulting from a tort claim is “damages.” In most civil cases, victims can hope to recover two categories of compensatory damages. These are called “economic” and “non-economic” damages.

What Are Economic Damages?

This type of financial compensation is paid by the at-fault party to the victim to make up for direct monetary costs associated with the accident. When most people think of filing a drunk driving tort claim, they think of economic damages.

Common examples of economic damages in drunk driving claims include:

• Current medical care expenses
• Anticipated future medical bills
• Lost wages and income from an inability to work
• Vehicular damage—including repair and replacement costs
• Other associated property damage
• Loss of future income-earning capacity

One of the seasoned attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will carefully review the financial documentation related to your case. We will examine invoices, receipts, bills, and other financial records to determine how much your accident cost.

Our team will not allow the opposing party to settle for an inadequate amount. Do not let a negligent driver or miserly insurance company deny you the economic damages that you need.

What Are Non-Economic Damages?

Some of the worst outcomes from drunk driving accidents do not take the form of financial losses. This is especially true when you have been physically injured from the crash. 

Fortunately, injury victims have the right to pursue repayment for these harms in the form of non-economic damages. These payments are meant to compensate for intangible losses, including the following:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional turmoil and anguish
• Depression and anxiety
• Inability to engage in prior activities

Many victims do not consider these losses when attempting to calculate the value of their claims. One of the premier legal specialists at Morgan & Morgan will help you fight for an appropriate settlement amount in light of the personal and emotional harm you suffered.

We will not allow an opposing party to downplay or devalue the impact that your injuries had on your life. 

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, claimants may be able to secure “punitive” damages. These payments are intended to punish the drunk driver for their reckless behavior. Punitive damages are also meant to discourage others from engaging in similarly dangerous actions.