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San Diego DUI Accident Lawyers

Have you been in a San Diego DUI car accident? Call The Advocates law firm for a free consultation.

Attorneys discuss case

A DUI Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case 

A third of all traffic deaths in California come from DUI cases. San Diego is one of Southern California’s biggest cities and, therefore, is the epicenter for many of these accidents. Accident cases like this often result in criminal charges against the drunk driver.  

Punitive damages against the drunk motorist is not The Advocates’ priority. Rather, we are personal injury attorneys who fight to get financial compensation for accident victims. Our legal team is a group of professionals who are on your side from the second you call our office to the moment we win your case.  

We know how hopeless you may feel after a San Diego drunk driving injury. Allow us to bring a spark of hope to your life by giving you the legal options needed to recover on your terms.  

You deserve it. Call our law office today so we can begin your road to recovery. 

The Next Steps in Your California DUI Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Property Damage

Get the damage on your vehicle assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate. 

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement. 

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page. 

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 

Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own. 

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability. 

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more. 

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action. 

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. 

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of DUI Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case  

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  

We can help you: 

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Building You a Robust DUI Defense

Policeman writing up report on incident

The best evidence for your injury case 

Our attorneys will pursue a civil case against the drunk driver, not a criminal one. This means our goal is not to ensure they receive a felony DUI and serve jail time. Rather, we are here to take your personal injury claim and ensure you receive a fair settlement for all the damages inflicted on you.  

The foundation of any accident case is evidence. Almost all motor vehicle accidents are complex. When someone drinks alcohol, chooses to drive, and then hurts someone else, the case is a little more straightforward, given the evidence stacked up against them. 

A DUI lawyer will obtain some of the following evidence in your case:  

  • Results from the field sobriety test conducted by law enforcement at the scene  
  • Breathalyzer results that show the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when they caused the accident  
  • Police citations for breaking DUI laws  
  • Video footage of the crash  
  • Eyewitness testimonies  

The sooner we get ahold of evidence, the faster we can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

Your motor vehicle is totaled. What should you do? 

Imagine a drunk driver totaled your car on I-5. Barring serious injuries, this is a tough situation. It is quite difficult to get around San Diego County without a vehicle.   

If a drunk driver totals your car, you are entitled to a fair market value for your vehicle. Suppose there is a disparity between the fair market value and the loan balance you have on the vehicle. In that case, gap insurance will cover the outstanding balance. If you do not have gap insurance, you will have to pay the remaining balance after you are paid the fair market value. 

Car T-boned another car in intersection. Oil and other fluids leaking.
Black woman calling insurance support after car crash

Common DUI accident injuries    

The intersection of car accidents and alcohol produces serious injuries. Your injuries are the most important aspect of a personal injury case. Cars can be replaced, but you only have one life. 

Here are the most common DUI crash injuries inflicted on auto accident victims:  

  • Bruising and lacerations   
  • Muscle strains   
  • Whiplash   
  • Broken teeth   
  • Dislocated joints   
  • Disfigurement  
  • Broken bones   
  • Internal damage   
  • Spinal cord injuries   
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries   
  • Emotional distress 
  • Wrongful death of a loved one 

Emotional trauma is worthy of compensation 

Should you be compensated for the psychological effects of a DUI accident? 

Of course. 

Accidents like this are some of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. The mental pain can last for years after the physical injuries heal, especially if a fatality occurs.  

Emotional trauma is equally worthy of compensation. A personal injury lawyer can determine how much you should be compensated. 

Emotional woman sharing her troubles and gesturing at psychotherapy session, panorama

Understanding Personal Injury Laws in California

Statute of limitations (SOL) on a court desk.

Statute of limitations for DUI accidents   

If you are injured in a DUI accident, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a claim. That may feel like a long time, but it is recommended that you move quickly with your claim.   

For property damage, you have three years to file a claim. 

The steps to take after a DUI accident in California   

The first few hours and days after an accident are critical for your recovery and your claim’s success.    

Follow these steps to ensure you do what is necessary after an accident:   

  • Ensure immediate safety   
  • Call emergency services and get a police report  
  • Seek medical care 
  • Do not engage with the drunk driver; they are not in a state of mind to properly engage in an exchange of information 
  • Gather evidence at the accident scene  
  • Do not with insurance adjusters for the other party 
  • Notify your insurance company   
  • Consult an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer   
  • Document everything, such as your medical bills 
Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.
people on a pedestrian crossing and a car braking quickly

Is the drunk driver automatically at fault in an accident? 

No. 

They are usually presumed to be at fault, given that drinking and driving is considered negligent behavior. This means they will face DUI charges, which indicates the liability falls on them. 

California uses a pure comparative negligence system, so another driver can still be partially at fault for the accident. It all depends on the evidence and circumstances of the case. 

When Should I Hire a San Diego DUI Accident Attorney?

Nothing matters more to us than the attorney-client relationship. We truly want you to fully recover from your accident. This is why we recommend you hire a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible.  

A DUI is a serious legal matter. The influence of alcohol on car accidents is deep. The Advocates will be with you every step of the way, but we cannot begin until you reach out to us for a case evaluation.  

We know how terrifying that first step will be. However, once you have a DUI attorney on your side, you no longer have to worry about the legal aspect of your case. The Advocates will take care of it, while you take care of recovering.  

We are here for everyone in San Diego, Los Angeles, Chula Vista, El Cajon, and everywhere else in California. You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate. 

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