San Francisco Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

A San Francisco drunk driving accident lawyer fights for victims injured by intoxicated drivers, pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain while holding impaired drivers accountable through California’s civil justice system.

At Alexander Law Group LLP, we represent Bay Area residents seriously hurt in DUI crashes, using police reports, BAC evidence, and witness testimony to build strong cases against drunk drivers and their insurance companies. Contact Alexander Law Group LLP’s San Francisco office at (415) 921-1776 for a free consultation about your drunk driving accident case.

Drunk Driving Accident Claims – Key Takeaways

• Victims of drunk driving crashes in San Francisco have the right to pursue civil compensation separate from any criminal DUI charges
• California law may allow punitive damages in DUI accident cases when drivers show conscious disregard for safety
• Evidence like BAC tests, field sobriety results, and arrest records can strengthen your civil claim for damages
• With few exceptions, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations
• Uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation even if the drunk driver lacks insurance or flees the scene

Why Choose Alexander Law Group LLP for Your DUI Accident Case

When drunk drivers shatter your life, you need attorneys who understand both the legal complexities and personal devastation these crashes cause. Alexander Law Group LLP has fought for seriously injured Bay Area residents for years, taking on insurance companies that try to minimize the impact of drunk driving accidents.

We bring specific advantages to DUI accident cases that make a real difference in outcomes. Our track record includes significant settlements and verdicts for injured clients. We’ve seen how drunk driving crashes affect working families – the mounting medical bills, missed work, and long recovery periods. That’s why we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Our approach combines aggressive legal advocacy with genuine care for our clients’ wellbeing. We handle all communication with insurance companies, taking that stress and burden off your shoulders.

Alexander Law Group LLP maintains deep roots in the Bay Area legal community. We know the local courts, understand how San Francisco juries view drunk driving cases, and use this knowledge to your advantage. Our bilingual team serves the diverse Bay Area community, so language never barriers access to justice.

Damages Available in San Francisco Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Victims of drunk driving accidents can pursue comprehensive compensation reflecting both immediate and long-term impacts.

Economic Damages: Your Financial Losses

Economic damages compensate for the actual financial losses you suffered due to the accident. Medical expenses include emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and therapy. Future medical needs factor into compensation for serious injuries requiring ongoing care.

Lost wages cover missed work, while diminished earning capacity addresses long-term or permanent work limitations. Property damage includes vehicle repair/replacement and personal items.

Additional economic damages may include:

• Home modifications for disabilities
• Household help during recovery
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Out-of-pocket injury-related expenses

Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost

Non-economic damages address personal impacts that money cannot directly measure. California places no caps on these damages in DUI cases.

Pain and suffering compensation covers physical agony from initial trauma through ongoing recovery. Emotional distress recognizes psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Loss of enjoyment addresses inability to participate in activities that brought fulfillment.

Additional non-economic damages may include:

• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Sleep disturbances
• Fear of driving

Punitive Damages: Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable

While less common than other damage categories, punitive damages may be available in DUI injury cases. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior. California Civil Code Section 3294 allows these when defendants show conscious disregard for safety.

Courts consider the driver’s BAC level, with higher levels supporting larger awards. Prior DUI convictions or evidence of habitual drunk driving strengthen claims.

Wrongful Death Damages

When DUI crashes claim lives, families can pursue wrongful death damages. Economic damages include funeral expenses, lost financial support, and household services value. Non-economic damages address loss of love, companionship, and support. Eligible family members typically include spouses, children, and sometimes parents or dependents.

Building Your DUI Accident Claim

California Vehicle Code Section 23152 makes driving under the influence illegal, but criminal charges against the drunk driver represent just one part of the legal process. Your civil claim for compensation moves forward independently, allowing you to seek damages even before any criminal case concludes.

The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in California is 0.08% for most drivers, but impairment affects driving ability at even lower levels. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit, and drivers under 21 cannot have any measurable alcohol in their system. When drivers exceed these limits and cause crashes, they bear responsibility for all resulting damages.

Successful drunk driving accident claims require thorough preparation and strategic presentation of evidence. Your attorney gathers multiple forms of proof to demonstrate both liability and damages.

Evidence to Support a DUI Accident Claim in San Francisco

Chemical test results provide the strongest evidence of impairment. Breathalyzer readings, blood tests, and urine analyses all offer scientific proof of alcohol or drug levels. California’s implied consent law means drivers must submit to testing when lawfully arrested for DUI, and refusal itself can serve as evidence of consciousness of guilt.

Field sobriety test results also support your claim. While less precise than chemical tests, standardized assessments like the walk-and-turn test, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus evaluation show impairment through physical performance. Video footage from police body cameras or dashcams makes this evidence particularly compelling.

Beyond official testing, various forms of evidence strengthen your position in pursuing compensation:

• Bar or restaurant receipts showing alcohol purchases
• Social media posts demonstrating drinking before driving
• Security camera footage from businesses near the accident
• Witness accounts of erratic driving behavior
• Prior DUI convictions showing a pattern of dangerous behavior

Special Considerations for Different Accident Types

Drunk drivers endanger everyone on San Francisco’s streets. Different types of accidents require tailored legal approaches based on unique circumstances and applicable laws:

• Pedestrian and Bicycle DUI Accidents: Victims traveling on foot or bicycle suffer particularly severe injuries due to lack of vehicle protection. Drunk drivers who strike pedestrians in crosswalks or cyclists in bike lanes face heightened liability for violating multiple traffic laws, creating stronger grounds for compensation and punitive damages.
• Rideshare DUI Accidents: Uber and Lyft passengers face complex insurance situations when injured by drunk rideshare drivers. Professional drivers face lower BAC limits (0.04%), and both the driver and company may bear liability. These cases require careful analysis of tiered insurance coverage. 
• Multi-Vehicle DUI Crashes: Drunk drivers frequently cause chain-reaction accidents affecting multiple vehicles. These complex cases require thorough investigation to establish damages for each victim, with the drunk driver typically bearing primary responsibility for the entire crash sequence.

Each type of DUI accident presents unique challenges and opportunities for compensation. At Alexander Law Group LLP, we understand these distinctions and tailor our approach to match your specific circumstances, ensuring you receive full compensation regardless of how the drunk driver injured you.

The Legal Process for DUI Accident Claims

Pursuing compensation after a drunk driving accident follows a structured process designed to build the strongest possible case. Each step serves a specific purpose in documenting damages and establishing liability:

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

Your first meeting with Alexander Law Group LLP involves reviewing evidence and planning strategy through our free consultation. We assess the drunk driver’s BAC level, your injury severity, available insurance, and evidence strength to provide realistic expectations while identifying opportunities to secure compensation.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Thorough investigation distinguishes strong DUI accident cases from average claims. Time-sensitive evidence requires quick action before video footage gets overwritten, witnesses’ memories fade, and physical evidence disappears.

Negotiation and Settlement

Insurance companies know juries may sympathize with DUI victims. We leverage this reality and other factors, through strategic negotiations, presenting compelling evidence packages that demonstrate litigation readiness and drive fair settlement offers.

Litigation When Necessary

When insurance companies fail to offer fair settlements, we file lawsuits in San Francisco Superior Court. Alexander Law Group LLP’s trial experience and earned respect in Bay Area courtrooms means we’re ready to present your case effectively before judges and juries familiar with the city’s drunk driving problem.

Throughout each phase, Alexander Law Group LLP handles the legal complexities while you focus on recovery. Our systematic approach, combined with aggressive advocacy and familarity with California DUI laws, builds a strong claim. We prepare every case for trial from day one in order to secure better outcomes for our clients.

Common Challenges in SF Drunk Driving Cases

Despite strong evidence of intoxication, drunk driving accident claims face various obstacles that require strategic navigation.

Handling the Insurance Claim

Insurance adjusters know drunk driving cases may carry higher values than typical accidents. They may try to quickly settle the case. However, these early offers may not reflect adequate compensation for serious injuries caused by impaired driving.

California law prohibits insurance policies from excluding coverage for drunk driving accidents. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance must cover your damages up to policy limits, regardless of their intoxication. However, insurance companies may still:

• Question the severity of your injuries
• Argue you contributed to the accident somehow
• Dispute medical treatment necessity or duration
• Offer quick settlements before you know your long-term needs

Your attorney counters these strategies through aggressive advocacy backed by solid evidence. We present comprehensive documentation of your injuries, gather supporting medical opinions, and demonstrate the drunk driver’s clear liability.

Uninsured or Underinsured Drunk Drivers

Some drunk drivers lack adequate insurance or any coverage at all. Others flee accident scenes, making identification difficult. These situations don’t leave you without options for compensation.

California requires uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage unless you specifically waive it in writing. This coverage protects you when negligent drivers lack sufficient insurance. Your own policy steps in to provide compensation up to your UM/UIM limits.

Hit-and-run drunk driving accidents present unique challenges but not insurmountable ones. Your uninsured motorist coverage typically applies to hit-and-run accidents if you meet certain requirements. Prompt police reporting, witness cooperation, and thorough investigation help establish your claim even without the drunk driver’s identity.

FAQs for San Francisco Drunk Driving Accident Victims

What if the Drunk Driver’s Insurance Company Offers Me a Quick Settlement?

Contact Alexander Law Group LLP immediately at (415) 921-1776 before signing anything, as early offers may not account for long-term medical needs, lost wages, or the punitive damages available in DUI cases.

Who Pays My Medical Bills after a DUI Accident in California?

The drunk driver’s insurance typically covers your medical bills up to policy limits. Your health insurance may pay initially, but maintains subrogation rights for reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s coverage. If the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides additional compensation.

What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident with the Drunk Driver?

California follows pure comparative negligence rules, meaning you can still recover damages even if partially at fault, though your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage. However, in many cases, drunk drivers bear overwhelming responsibility for the crashes they cause.

How Long Do I Have to File a DUI-Related Injury Claim in California?

In most cases, California’s statute of limitations provides two years from the accident date to file personal injury lawsuits. However, insurance claims should begin immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights. Wrongful death claims follow different timelines, and government entity involvement may require earlier notice.

How Are DUI Accident Settlements Calculated in San Francisco?

Settlement calculations consider multiple factors, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and potential punitive damages. The drunk driver’s BAC level, your injury severity, and available insurance coverage all affect settlement values.

Contact Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in San Francisco

Drunk driving accidents shatter lives through someone’s preventable choice to drive impaired. While criminal courts may punish the drunk driver, civil claims provide compensation to rebuild.

At Alexander Law Group LLP, we’ve dedicated our practice to fighting for seriously injured victims throughout the Bay Area. We understand these aren’t just cases, but people whose lives have been turned upside down by a drunk driver’s reckless decision. Our contingency fee representation means you pay nothing unless we win your case, because we believe financial concerns shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting quality legal representation.

Don’t let a drunk driver’s poor decision define your future. Contact Alexander Law Group LLP’s San Francisco office at (415) 921-1776 for a free consultation about your drunk driving accident case. We’ll review your situation, explain your rights, and develop a strategy to hold the drunk driver accountable while securing fair compensation.

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Alexander Law Group, LLP – San Francisco Office
Address:1 Sansome St #3500,
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 921-1776