Drunk driving car accidents in Fresno are among the most dangerous and preventable crashes on the road. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and increases risky behavior—factors that often result in severe, and sometimes fatal, collisions. When a driver operates a vehicle while intoxicated, they endanger everyone around them.
If you were hurt in a crash with a drunk driver, it is critical to explore your legal options, as the support of a strong legal team can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Instead of attempting to settle your claim on your own, reach out to a skilled auto collision attorney at Dunnion Law. We have been helping clients since 1975 and are here to listen.
In California, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08 percent for most drivers. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04 percent, and for drivers under the age of 21, any detectable alcohol can result in penalties under the state’s zero-tolerance law.
While a BAC over the limit can lead to criminal charges for driving under the influence, a civil lawsuit for damages is entirely separate. Even if the drunk driver is not arrested or convicted, victims injured in a Fresno crash can still file a personal injury claim. Civil liability focuses on negligence and not criminal guilt, allowing victims to pursue compensation regardless of criminal outcomes.
While any car accident in Fresno can have serious consequences, collisions with drunk drivers are especially likely to cause severe injuries. For example, drunk drivers often take risks while driving that they would not have attempted while sober. Dangerous behavior, such as running a red light or attempting a risky merge at high speed, can result in a crash.
Impaired motorists are also less likely to respond in time to changing road conditions. For instance, failing to evade another vehicle or slow down can lead to the drunk driver colliding with another car at full speed. This lack of mitigation before the impact can lead to the following injuries:
These serious injuries can take more than a physical toll, as there are also financial and emotional consequences to consider in most cases during the aftermath of a crash. Our attorneys can explain your legal options and help guide you on the path towards compensation.
In order for your personal injury case to succeed, you must establish that the impaired driver’s actions caused the crash. Common forms of evidence include police reports, which may document the officer’s observations and results from field sobriety tests or breathalyzers. BAC results from chemical tests can be especially powerful in showing intoxication levels.
Other evidence, such as eyewitness statements or dashcam footage, can demonstrate to a jury or insurance adjuster exactly what happened at the time of the crash. In some cases, receipts from bars or restaurants, as well as social media posts, may demonstrate alcohol consumption. Medical records can also show the extent of the injuries or the other driver’s impairment. Our attorneys take a comprehensive approach to building strong cases after drunk driving car wrecks in Fresno.
Drunk driving car accidents in Fresno can cause severe injuries. If you have been hurt in a crash, it is important that you consider your legal options right away. You may be entitled to compensation, but only if you seek damages through a personal injury claim. Reach out today to talk about your case during a private consultation.