Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers In Oxnard

Did a drunk driver recently injure you? Perhaps you are overwhelmed with medical bills, pain, and suffering and cannot go to work. How will you move forward with life? Sadly, drunk driving accidents often leave many innocent victims in these challenging circumstances. 

Our team of highly skilled drunk driving accident lawyers in Oxnard at Maho Prentice, LLP, are well-versed in the complexities of these car accidents. We understand the stress and anxiety when a drunk driver hits and injures you. Fortunately, you have legal options. You can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the liable driver to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Speak to our car accident lawyers in Oxnard in a free consultation today about your auto accident.

Who Can You Sue After A Drunk Driving Accident

In drunk driving accidents, the drunk driver is usually the one sued after an accident with catastrophic injuries. However, the driver may not have insurance or sufficient resources to pay your damages. Other parties could be responsible for your severe injuries and may be added as defendants, if appropriate: 

• The driver’s employer: If the driver was in the course of employment when the crash happened, the employer may have to compensate you. A typical example is a tractor-trailer driver. If the person was driving a company vehicle and working, the employer is probably vicariously liable for the employee’s negligence. 
• A liquor store, bar, or restaurant: A business that sold alcohol to an intoxicated person may be liable for that person’s actions. 
• Social host: If a private person provided alcohol to someone underage and they caused an accident, that person could be liable for your injuries.

How To Sue A Drunk Driver

Suppose a drunk driver is found guilty in court and sentenced to jail. Unfortunately, just because the driver was convicted of driving under the influence doesn’t mean they must pay for your damages. Obtaining compensation means filing a personal injury lawsuit to obtain compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional damages. 

Fortunately, if the drunk driver is convicted, it is easier to obtain compensation, sometimes without even filing suit. But even when the driver isn’t convicted of a crime, you still can obtain compensation. This can be accomplished by proving that driver was negligent and caused the accident. 

Winning your case with an experienced attorney in drunk driving accidents involves the following: 

• Conduct a free consultation to learn how the accident happened, who the liable party is, and what a suitable settlement might be for your losses. 
• Ensure that you receive the necessary medical treatment and that your serious injury is documented. 
• Investigate the drunk driving accident, collect accident evidence, review police and medical reports, and talk to eyewitnesses and first responders. A key piece of evidence is if the driver was arrested for drunk driving and if they were convicted. 
• Handle all administrative and legal paperwork so you can focus on healing and not medical bills. 
• Hire expert witnesses to testify about how the crash happened, the level of your damages, and how your injuries will affect your life. 
• Communicate with the insurance company and their lawyers. 
• Build the most robust case and take it to trial if needed. 

A personal injury attorney can access many outstanding experts to assess the value of your injuries to devise the most accurate demand letter for settlement. Most drunk driving accidents are settled out of court; it is often impossible for a drunk driver to convince a jury that they aren’t liable, especially if there is a criminal conviction. Just 3% of drunk driving lawsuits go to trial, so an out-of-court settlement is likely. 

Why You Should Hire A Drunk Driving Accident Attorney 

The personal injury attorneys at Maho Prentice, LLP, are experienced and skilled in assisting auto accident victims injured by drunk drivers. If possible, our attorneys can file a claim with the drunk driver’s insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. 

If the insurance company doesn’t offer a suitable settlement, our attorneys will take the claim to court and fight for a favorable verdict. If the drunk driver doesn’t have insurance, we may attempt to seize other assets that could pay for a judgment. Our attorney’s investigation of your accident may reveal other potentially liable parties. For example, an employer could be liable for your injuries if the driver was working when the accident happened. 

A personal injury attorney will also value your claim entirely. We will work with your medical team to understand your injury’s prognosis and future expenses. If your accident causes a long-term disability, we will learn how your future income prospects are affected and demand appropriate compensation. Attempting to settle a high-value personal injury claim without an attorney is unwise. Insurance companies are notorious for offering lowball settlements to injury victims without legal representation. 

What Happens In A Drunk Driving Hit-And-Run Accident? 

Unfortunately, there are many hit-and-run drunk driving accidents across the United States. Drunk drivers know they are in serious trouble when they cause an accident and injure someone. If the drunk driver injures you and leaves the scene, you could be left with serious injuries and expenses with no one to hold accountable. What do you do? 

You still should speak to a personal injury attorney about legal options. There are two goals in this case: to find out who the liable driver was and build the best personal injury claim. 

The police typically lead in finding who the hit-and-run driver was. They may interview witnesses, examine the accident scene, and check surveillance cameras in the area for accident footage. A personal injury attorney from our law firm also can be helpful in the investigation. 

Our attorneys may have crucial information to be used to identify who the driver is. Information such as the vehicle type and color, witness testimony, and video surveillance footage can be helpful. In many accidents, there may be dashcam or business security footage of the crash that reveals vehicle information, even the license plate number. 

Your personal injury attorney will build a solid personal injury claim if the driver is identified. The claim will demand settlement from the liable driver’s insurance company. However, if the at-fault driver isn’t found, other options remain. You may have uninsured or underinsured driver coverage on your insurance policy that can be used to compensate you. Our attorney can work with your insurance provider to ensure you receive the most compensation for your injuries. 

Speak To A Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Now

Did a drunk driver hurt you recently? Perhaps you have broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries, and more. You should not pay out of pocket for your drunk driving accident losses. The liable driver should be forced to pay for your damages only after a successful personal injury claim with your legal team assisting you.

Our Oxnard drunk driving accident attorneys at Maho Prentice, LLP, will work tirelessly to obtain fair compensation so you can enjoy the fullest recovery. For a free consultation, call (805) 774-1295. Our seasoned attorneys have obtained significant settlements and jury awards for previous drunk driving injury victims, and we look forward to assisting you.  Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain and suffering, and mental anguish.