Sacramento Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Getting hit by a drunk driver can leave you with medical bills, lost income, lasting injuries, frustration, fear, and anxiety, all while the at-fault driver’s insurance company looks for reasons to pay you less. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can push back on their tactics and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Triumph Law brings over 25 years of combined experience holding drunk drivers accountable. A Sacramento drunk driving accident lawyer from our team can walk you through your legal options and help you build a strong claim from day one.

Why You Should Choose Triumph Law

Our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyers is dedicated to helping accident victims pursue full compensation for their injuries and other losses. Injured Sacramento residents choose us because we offer:

• Personal injury experience: We handle a wide range of personal injury claims, including intoxicated driving accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians. Our lead attorney, Robert Carichoff, has over 20 years of experience litigating these types of cases.
• Personalized attention for every client: Every drunk driving accident case is different. We take the time to analyze your case and develop a strategy tailored to your needs and goals. If travel is difficult because of your injuries, we can come to you; we’re happy to meet clients wherever is most convenient for a consultation.
• Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies: Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims for less than they are worth. We push back against unfair offers and advocate for a fair resolution. We also make it a priority to locate all available insurance coverage, so no policy that could fund your recovery gets overlooked.
• Trial-ready representation: While many cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it could go to trial. This approach reflects our commitment to fully investigating and litigating each case on its merits.
• Contingency fee structure: We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• Financial and medical support while your case is pending: We cover all case costs as they arise, so cost is never a barrier to building a strong claim. We can also help clients with limited treatment options connect with the medical care they need. If you need additional funds for living or personal expenses while your case is ongoing, we can help facilitate contact with third-party lenders.
• Thorough evidence collection: We take a hands-on approach to gathering the evidence your claim needs, from police reports and witness statements to medical records, so your case is built on a solid foundation from day one.
• Community involvement: Our commitment to drunk driving victims extends beyond the courtroom. Triumph Law has participated in the MADD National Candlelight Vigil in 2021-2022 and 2023-2024, standing alongside families affected by drunk driving to honor victims and advocate for safer roads.

Our thoroughness with evidence collection and willingness to fight at trial (when necessary) often result in our clients recovering more compensation than they would with other firms.

Our Case Results

When choosing a drunk driving accident lawyer, many people want to know whether they have successfully handled these types of cases before. At Triumph Law, we have helped injured clients recover compensation through both settlements and jury verdicts in a wide range of motor vehicle accident cases.

Some of our most notable case results include:

• $6.5 million verdict for a serious car crash: We secured a jury verdict of more than $6.5 million for clients who were injured in a severe automobile collision.
• $1 million recovery for a major motor vehicle accident: Our client was involved in a significant crash, and we recovered the full available insurance policy limits on their behalf.
• $975,000 settlement for a truck crash: We obtained a settlement for a rear-end crash that caused injuries requiring low back surgery, despite the defense strongly disputing whether the collision caused the injuries.
• $800,000 settlement for a freeway rear–end collision: Our client was rear-ended on a freeway and required a two-level neck surgery due to the injuries suffered in the crash. We recovered $800,000 for them.
• $300,000 settlement for a drunk driving accident: We secured a mid-trial settlement for a T-bone crash caused by a drunk driver that aggravated prior injuries and required multiple pain management treatments.

While no outcome is guaranteed in a personal injury case, our results reflect the experience and dedication we bring to every client we represent.

How a Sacramento Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help

After a drunk driving crash, victims often face a complicated claims process. A Sacramento car accident attorney can assist by:

• Investigating the incident: We can gather police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and other evidence to determine exactly how the crash occurred.
• Calculating your damages: Accident victims often underestimate the long-term cost of their injuries. We can evaluate both your current and future losses to determine your claim’s value.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your payout or dispute liability. We can handle negotiations and push for a fair settlement.
• Representing you in court: If negotiations do not lead to a reasonable settlement, we can file a lawsuit and present your case in court.

A lawyer can help level the playing field when you find yourself dealing with large insurance companies or an aggressive defense attorney.

Drunk Driving Accident FAQs

What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driver Hits You?

The various expenses you incur after a drunk-driving car crash can add up fast. Fortunately, by filing a personal injury claim, you can recover damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Assistive devices and modifications
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of consortium

As a car accident victim, you may be entitled to recover some or all of these damages. A drunk driving accident attorney in Sacramento can explain which types you are eligible to pursue.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Case in California?

Time is of the essence in drunk driving accident cases. According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in California.

Filing your claim early will give our lawyers more time to gather relevant evidence to build your case, which will improve your odds of success. Even if you are unsure if you can file a claim, reach out to Triumph Law. There are many situations where our attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you need to move forward.

Who Is Liable for a Drunk Driving Crash?

Driving under the influence is illegal in California, and drivers who choose to operate a vehicle while impaired can be held liable for the harm they cause. However, other parties may sometimes share responsibility, depending on the circumstances of the crash.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• The intoxicated driver: A driver who causes a crash while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is often the primary party responsible for the collision.
• Vehicle owners: If the impaired driver was operating someone else’s vehicle with permission, the vehicle owner’s insurance policy may also apply.
• Employers: If the driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer could potentially share liability.
• Dram shops or social hosts: California generally limits liability for bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, but exceptions can apply if alcohol is provided to minors who later cause a crash.

The team at Triumph Law can investigate and gather evidence to establish fault in your Sacramento car accident case.

What If I’m Partially At Fault?

Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for a drunk driving accident. However, your amount of compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For example, if your final damage award is $100,000 in damages but you are found to be 20% responsible for the crash, your compensation would be reduced to $80,000.

Insurance companies often attempt to shift as much blame as possible onto injured victims to reduce the amount they must pay out. A Sacramento drunk driving victim lawyer from Triumph Law can handle communications with adjusters, counter baseless allegations with evidence, and help you recover the full amount of money owed to you.

Why Are Drunk Driving Crashes More Dangerous than Other Accidents?

When people consume alcohol, it impairs their cognitive abilities and motor functions. Effects include diminished decision-making skills, decreased coordination, and slower reaction times. Drunk drivers are more likely to make poor decisions on the road and fail to respond to hazards, making the accidents they cause far more harmful.

Alcohol consumption also often leads to increased risk-taking behaviors behind the wheel. Intoxicated drivers may speed, tailgate, make aggressive maneuvers, or run red lights. These behaviors significantly heighten the chances of a severe accident, putting both the driver and other innocent road users at risk of injury or even death.

The combination of impaired judgment, reduced coordination, and high speeds often leads to violent and forceful crashes. As a result, victims involved in drunk driving accidents are more likely to suffer devastating injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, or even death.

What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?

The steps you take immediately after a car accident in Sacramento can affect both your health and your ability to pursue compensation. You should:

• Call emergency services: Reporting the crash ensures that police officers from the Sacramento Police Department and medical personnel arrive at the scene and create an official record of the incident.
• Document the scene: If it is safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
• Collect contact information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and gather contact details from any available witnesses.
• Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries don’t seem serious, get evaluated by a medical professional to document your condition for your claim.
• Avoid discussing fault: Statements made at the scene can later be used by insurance companies to dispute your claim.
• Report the crash to your insurance company: Notify your insurer of the accident, but avoid discussing fault or providing recorded statements.

What Injuries Are Common in a Drunk Driving Accident?

Drunk driving accidents often involve high speeds. As a result, these crashes frequently lead to serious or even life-altering injuries. Some of the most common injuries victims suffer in car accidents caused by intoxicated drivers include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: A severe blow to the head during a crash can lead to long-term cognitive problems, memory issues, or even a permanent disability.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in chronic pain, nerve damage, or paralysis.
• Broken bones: The force of a collision can fracture arms, legs, ribs, or other bones.
• Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs may not always be immediately apparent, but can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: A sudden impact can strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and back.
• Burn injuries: In severe collisions involving fires or explosions, victims may suffer painful burn injuries that require extensive medical treatment.

After your accident, the team at Triumph Law can help you find medical providers who have the experience necessary to treat your injuries.

We’ll cover all case costs, and if you don’t have the money to pay for medical care or everyday expenses, we can connect you with third-party lenders.

Get Help From a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Sacramento From Triumph Law

The aftermath of a DUI accident can be overwhelming. A DUI accident lawyer in Sacramento from Triumph Law can gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and fight for a fair settlement while you focus on your recovery.

Schedule a free consultation to connect with a lawyer, discuss your accident, and find out how you can pursue justice.