Drunk driving remains a leading—and entirely avoidable—cause of multi-vehicle crashes across California. Thousands of wrecks each year involve motorists whose blood-alcohol content meets or exceeds the 0.08-percent limit, and even “buzzed” drivers under that mark suffer slower reflexes and clouded judgment. When an impaired motorist sets off a chain-reaction collision, liability is usually straightforward: a failed breath test or DUI conviction is powerful proof of negligence, and juries may add punitive damages for blatantly reckless conduct. Bars or restaurants that serve an obviously intoxicated patron, as well as rideshare companies that ignore a driver’s prior DUI record, can face additional claims.
The fallout from a multi-vehicle crash is rarely simple. Victims often grapple with totaled cars, steep medical bills, lost paychecks, and lingering emotional trauma. California law lets you recover compensation for these losses—even if you share some blame—because the state’s comparative fault rules merely reduce an award by your percentage of responsibility.
Fast action strengthens your case. Seek medical attention right away, photograph the scene, gather witness details, and obtain a police report. In suspected DUI crashes, ask officers to conduct sobriety testing and document every sign of impairment. Secure copies of arrest records, breath-or-blood results, and dash-cam footage as soon as possible, and keep in mind that most personal injury suits must be filed within two years.
If you’re mourning a loved one lost in a DUI collision, Countrywide Trial Lawyers is here to help. Our team will investigate the crash, handle talks with insurers, and pursue every dollar the law allows, so you can focus on healing and honoring your family member’s memory.
