Have you been hurt in an accident with an intoxicated driver in Monterey County, CA? You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages & benefits, and your pain & suffering.
Even though you may have a legal claim to compensation, getting the full amount you are legally owed without the help of a Monterey County personal injury attorney can be difficult.
The team at Mercado Kramer, LLP has extensive experience helping clients in California get the compensation they deserve after devastating accidents. A DUI accident can turn your life upside down in an instant, so don’t hesitate to get the help you deserve.
Call us at (888) 311-4050 today to schedule a free consultation with a Monterey County DUI accident lawyer and let us put our experience to work for you.
How Mercado Kramer, LLP Can Help After a DUI Accident in Monterey County, CA
The time after a DUI accident in Monterey County, California, can be difficult and confusing. The at-fault driver may be facing criminal charges, but you still need to get compensation for your injuries. Navigating these complex legal waters on your own may seem overwhelming.
Thankfully, the team at Mercado Kramer, LLP is here to help.
Our Monterey County personal injury lawyers can help after your DUI accident by:
- Investigating your accident to uncover all the details
- Obtaining copies of police reports and arrest records resulting from the crash
- Gathering evidence from the scene and interviewing witnesses who saw the accident
- Using expert witnesses to help bolster your claim
- Handling all communications with the insurance company and opposing counsel
- Putting a fair value on all the damages you suffered
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement for your claim
- Filing a lawsuit and asserting your rights in court when settlement negotiations stall
Our services are focused on helping injury victims get justice after devastating accidents, so call us now to speak to a Monterey County DUI accident attorney who is ready to help you.
How Common Are DUI Accidents?
DUI accidents are one of the leading causes of crash-related injuries and deaths in California. In a recent year, there were 1,355 fatalities resulting from alcohol-involved crashes. There are thousands more people injured in these accidents every year as well.
These accidents are completely preventable, and the drivers who cause them should be held accountable for the damage they cause.
Overview of DUI Accidents
It is no secret that alcohol impairs your cognitive ability, so getting behind the wheel after drinking is never a good idea.
Alcohol greatly increases your likelihood of an accident because it:
- Slows driver reaction times
- Impairs thinking and reasoning skills
- May lead to speeding and reckless driving
- Causes drowsiness
Even when a driver’s blood alcohol content is below the legal limit, their senses and driving ability can still be impaired. This can lead to devastating accidents that injure innocent victims.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of DUI Accidents in Monterey County, CA?
Victims who are injured in a DUI accident are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are used to compensate victims for their monetary or financial losses.
Some common examples are:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Future reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
Putting an accurate value on your economic damages is usually pretty straightforward. You likely have receipts or bills that show the specific dollar amount of these losses.
On the other hand, non-economic damages are much more subjective. These damages are used to compensate victims for their physical and emotional pain.
Some common examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of love and companionship
- Depression
- PTSD
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Putting a specific dollar amount on these damages can be much more challenging. You likely need the help of an experienced Monterey County car accident attorney who can help evaluate all your losses. We can help you properly value your claim so that you get all the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a DUI Accident in California?
Your time to file a claim after a DUI crash in California is limited. In most personal injury cases, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. Missing this deadline may completely bar you from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
However, there are some special cases where the deadline may be shorter or longer than the standard rule. In these situations, calculating the specific deadline for your case can be complex. This is why you should always consult with an attorney as soon after your accident as possible.
Our Monterey County car accident lawyers can help you determine the filing deadline for your case so that you do not lose your chance to recover compensation.
Contact Our Car Crash Lawyers in Monterey County for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a DUI accident in Monterey County, CA, call the experienced team at Mercado Kramer, LLP today. We will go to work right away to protect your rights and demand full and fair compensation for your damages.
We offer free consultations with our Monterey County DUI accident lawyers. You should not have to go through this difficult time alone, and we will be here to help you get justice.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Salinas, CA
450 Lincoln Ave Ste. 102, Salinas, CA 93901
(888) 311-4050
Open 24/7
