Drunk Driving Accident Attorney | DUI Injury Lawyer

A driver who chooses to drink before getting behind the wheel can change another family’s life in seconds. Victims may face emergency surgery, months away from work, and uncertainty about who will pay for their care. A DUI accident occurs when an impaired driver causes a collision, while a drunk driving injury claim seeks financial recovery for the harm that collision caused.

At the Law Offices of Keith J. Stone, we represent injured people in San Diego and throughout Southern California. Our firm has served the community since 1986, providing personal attention to clients facing serious injury claims.

If an impaired driver injured you or someone in your family, schedule a consultation with us before accepting an insurance settlement. We can review the collision, identify potential sources of compensation, and explain what evidence may support your claim.

Why Alcohol-Impaired Collisions Deserve Serious Attention

Alcohol can interfere with judgment, reaction time, coordination, and the ability to recognize hazards. An impaired motorist may misjudge a curve, overlook a red light, drift between lanes, or fail to brake before striking another vehicle. These mistakes can cause severe injuries even when the victim follows traffic rules.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30% of U.S. traffic fatalities in 2024 involved an alcohol-impaired driver. That figure underscores why suspected impairment deserves careful investigation rather than being treated as an ordinary traffic mistake.

Proving intoxication and establishing how it contributed to a collision are distinct issues. Our drunk driving accident attorney examines the driver’s conduct alongside the physical evidence to determine whether impairment contributed to the injuries.

How California DUI Rules Relate to Injury Claims

Under the California DMV’s alcohol and drug guidance, most drivers aged 21 or older may not legally drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. Lower limits apply to certain drivers, including commercial drivers. A motorist may also be impaired at a level below the applicable numerical limit.

A DUI prosecution addresses whether a driver committed a criminal offense. A personal injury lawsuit instead concerns legal responsibility for another person’s losses. The victim generally does not need to wait for a criminal conviction to pursue a civil claim, although evidence gathered during the criminal investigation may be relevant.

Police records, chemical test information, witness statements, and crash circumstances can help establish negligence. These materials also provide our DUI accident attorney with information needed to evaluate whether the driver’s impairment contributed to the collision.

Injuries That Can Change Daily Life

Drunk driving collisions can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal bleeding, and joint damage. Some victims require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, while others experience persistent pain or cognitive difficulties that interfere with everyday activities.

Serious injuries may also prevent victims from returning to work or managing household responsibilities. Medical records are important, but they do not always reflect these personal limitations. Our personal injury lawyer considers both the medical evidence and the practical effects of an injury when evaluating a client’s losses.

Steps to Take Following a Suspected Drunk Driving Crash

Your first priority should be emergency medical assistance and immediate safety. Call 911 when anyone is injured or an impaired driver presents an ongoing danger. If possible, remain in a safe location and allow responding officers to investigate the scene.

Once urgent needs are addressed, several actions may help preserve evidence:

• Obtain the incident or collision report number and the responding agency’s information.
• Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, injuries, and visible debris when it is safe.
• Save witness names, insurance details, medical records, receipts, and missed-work documentation.
• Avoid speculating about the other driver’s blood alcohol level or admitting responsibility without knowing the facts.

Follow medical recommendations and report new symptoms promptly. Statements made to insurers can become part of the claim record, so review requests for recorded interviews or broad medical authorizations carefully.

For additional information, visit our auto accidents practice page.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Drunk driving victims may seek economic damages for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages may address physical pain, emotional distress, disability, and reduced enjoyment of life.

Punitive damages may also be available when the driver’s conduct meets California’s legal requirements. However, they are not automatically awarded in every DUI case.

Future medical needs and financial losses must also be considered. Our drunk driving accident lawyer reviews available records and anticipated expenses when evaluating the compensation a claim may support.

Who May Be Responsible for the Collision?

The impaired driver is often the primary defendant, but the investigation should not necessarily stop there. Depending on the circumstances, other parties may bear responsibility, such as an employer whose worker caused a collision while performing job duties or another motorist whose negligence contributed.

Insurance coverage also requires careful review. The responsible driver’s liability policy may have limits too low to address a catastrophic injury. Available uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits may help, depending on policy terms and the circumstances of the accident.

California follows comparative fault principles. If an injured person is found partly responsible for the crash, compensation may be reduced by that person’s share of fault; allegations of shared responsibility do not automatically eliminate recovery.

Identifying responsible parties requires examining the available evidence and applicable insurance policies. Our car accident attorney also considers disputed fault allegations when determining how a claim should proceed.

Filing Deadlines and the Value of Early Evidence

In most California personal injury cases, the deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the injury, according to the California Courts’ statute of limitations guide. Exceptions and shorter procedures can apply, particularly when a government entity may be responsible.

Early investigation matters for reasons beyond deadlines. Camera recordings may be overwritten, vehicles may be repaired, and witnesses may forget details. Alcohol test records, emergency response documentation, and crash reconstruction evidence may help establish what occurred.

Determining which deadlines apply is one responsibility of our personal injury attorney, particularly when a claim involves multiple defendants or government entities. Injured individuals considering representation can also review Keith J. Stone’s Avvo attorney profile for additional professional information.

Related Results and Our Approach to Representation

Our firm’s published auto accident case results include a $570,000 settlement for a client who suffered a neck injury in a collision with a city garbage truck and required surgery. The truck driver had traveled against a one-way restriction before the collision. Although the published account does not identify alcohol impairment, the case demonstrates the importance of establishing liability and documenting serious injuries when pursuing compensation. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts and evidence.

The firm’s attorney profile describes Keith J. Stone’s commitment to personal client relationships. We believe clients should understand the evidence, available options, and decisions that shape their case rather than receive settlement figures without meaningful explanation.

Those considering representation can also read our client testimonials to learn about previous clients’ experiences. These accounts provide additional information about the firm’s approach to communication and client service.

Take the Next Step Toward Financial Recovery

A drunk driving injury claim is about more than a driver’s poor decision. It is about the medical care you need, the income you have lost, and the changes your household may face for years. At the Law Offices of Keith J. Stone, we take these concerns seriously and work to pursue compensation supported by the facts and law. If an impaired driver caused your injuries, contact us today to discuss your circumstances and the next steps available to you.