Drunk Driving Accidents

Injuries caused by a drunk driver can be life altering, and sometimes, life ending. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, California law allows you to recover money damages for the drunk driver's recklessness.

Between the years of 2003 and 2012, there were 10,327 people killed from accidents involving a drunk driver. Nationwide, roughly one in three traffic deaths is caused by a drunk driver. At the Law Offices of Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P., our dedicated team of attorneys zealously advocates for the rights of our clients who have been personally injured or lost a loved one to a drunk driving accident.

Generally, the damages awarded in a civil suit are not supposed to be punitive. They are intended to make a plaintiff whole again after he or she has been injured through the actions of another. However, in cases involving drunk drivers, punitive damages may be awarded because of the type of reckless behavior involved.

Our experienced attorneys will examine your case and scrutinize the circumstances around your injuries and the conduct of the negligent party. The dedicated lawyers at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. focus on the full extent of compensation available to you. Historically, juries have not favored defendants who cause innocent parties to be severely injured as a result of his or her drunk driving. As a result, insurance companies tend to be apprehensive about taking these cases to trial.

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical and hospital bills for the deceased person's final illness or injury
• Lost income, including potential income that the deceased person would reasonably have been expected to earn in the future had he or she lived
• The value of household services
• Loss of anticipated financial support
• Loss of love, community, attention, affection, moral support, and guidance

There are only certain parties who can file wrongful death suits:

• The deceased person's surviving spouse
• The deceased person's domestic partner
• The deceased person's surviving children
• If there is no surviving person in the deceased person's line of descent, then a wrongful death lawsuit may be brought by anyone "who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.

California law allows for the legal doctrine of comparative negligence. In other words, even if you share fault in the accident, you can still collect damages for the reckless act of the other party. For example, if you are driving 10 miles over the posted speed limit when a drunk driver slams into your car, you may still have a suit. The court will analyze how much liability you share for driving over the posted limit, monetize that liability, and then subtract that amount from the overall damages that the court may award you.

Injuries resulting from drunk driving accidents can be devastating. They can leave you or a loved one permanently injured and needing extensive care in order to recover. The dedicated attorneys at the Law Offices of Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. deliver a focused legal strategy to protect your rights, identifying all sources of compensation.