Encino DUI Accident Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

DUI Accident Attorney in Encino

California has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country because driving while impaired is a tremendous hazard that puts so many lives at risk. And yet, every year, people continue to drive on the streets of Los Angeles while impaired by either drugs or alcohol, and innocent drivers and pedestrians pay the price. Fortunately, the civil legal system is designed to give victims of these reckless drivers a way to hold them accountable and seek compensation from them for injuries and damages they may have negligently caused.

Being in an auto accident is scary – it is typically one of the most traumatic events people experience in their lives. A serious collision can leave you shaken and in shock, uncertain of what to do next or how to seek compensation for your suffering. An experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles car accident attorney can answer your questions, help you deal with insurance companies while protecting your rights, and work with you to seek proper compensation for damaged property and personal injuries.

After any accident, especially one with a drunk or drug-impaired driver, call us at NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, at (818) 305-6041 to discuss what happened and learn about your options.

California DUI/Drugged Driver Laws

Although Driving Under the Influence of alcohol gets a lot of attention in California, it is just as illegal to drive under the influence of any drug, legal or illegal, that impairs a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. Drugs are not as easily detected as alcohol during a roadside stop and test, and the definition of impairment is not as clear and simple as it is with alcohol. In general, a police officer uses judgment and discretion to decide if someone seems impaired, then a blood or urine test can confirm that drugs are present in a person’s system.

Impaired Drivers and the People they Harm

Many people consider excessive drinking or use of drugs to be a victimless crime – after all, the only real harm in such cases is to the person using the drugs or alcohol. But once that person gets behind the wheel of a car, then the number of potential victims affected by those actions greatly increases. An impaired driver is a serious threat on the road, not only to themselves, but also to other drivers as well as pedestrians, motorcyclists, and people on bicycles.

Impaired drivers are usually on the road late at night or very early in the morning, after excessive drinking, though drivers impaired by drugs can drive day or night. But late at night and early morning, particularly on weekends and right after holidays, are particularly dangerous times for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists. Commercial drivers who use drugs or alcohol and get behind the wheel are an even greater danger, since their vehicles are often larger and more dangerous.

Criminal Charges and Civil Action For Drunk Driving in Encino, CA

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense, which is why police stop erratic or suspicious drivers and run field tests to check for sobriety. Drivers who are impaired are typically arrested and can face serious penalties that include steep fines, time in jail, and months or years without a license. Repeat offenders within 10 years face even more severe penalties.

But this does little to compensate the people who have property damaged or who are injured by these drivers. A civil lawsuit against an impaired driver has nothing to do with criminal charges, so if you want to file a suit against a driver, you need an attorney to help you with this. Criminal charges and drug tests can certainly help your case, but the police are not going to file a lawsuit for you.

Call A DUI Attorney in Encino, Los Angeles Now

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, then you deserve compensation for the damage that has been done. Don’t wait to file a lawsuit against an impaired driver, because there are certain deadlines you need to meet. Call us right now at NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, at (818) 305-6041.

Additional Information

• Drunk Driving | NHTSA