Why Choose Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP
Why should you entrust your case to Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP? Our firm stands out in Redding as one of the most successful in handling drunk driving accident cases. We have a solid track record of securing substantial settlements for our clients, ensuring they get the justice and compensation they deserve.
What sets us apart are our unique selling points: our personalized approach and our dedication to championing your rights. We understand how a drunk driving accident can disrupt your life, and we are here to assist you in putting the pieces back together.
Our conveniently located offices in Redding, right on Marina Park Drive, are easily accessible via public and private transport. We aim to make the journey to justice as comfortable for you as possible. With a Redding drunk driving accident attorney from Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP on your side, you are not just a case number—you are part of our family, and your fight becomes our fight.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Drunk Driving Case?
After a drunk driving accident, it is important to understand that you have several legal avenues for obtaining the compensation you deserve. If the circumstances allow, you may pursue a lawsuit against not only the intoxicated driver but also any other parties that may have contributed to the accident. You could, for instance, hold the establishment that served alcohol to the drunk driver liable, especially if they already showed visible signs of intoxication.
You may also have the option of filing a claim against a government entity in some cases if you can prove that poor road conditions or lack of proper signage contributed to the accident.
It is also worth noting that drunk driving cases often involve criminal proceedings against the offender. While this is separate from your civil lawsuit for damages, information and outcomes from the criminal case could potentially strengthen your claim.
These options can be quite complex and hard to navigate, and every case has unique circumstances. It is best to work directly with a drunk driving accident attorney in Redding who can guide you through the process and determine the best course of action.
Seeking Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident
After experiencing the trauma of a drunk driving accident, understanding your rights to compensation can be overwhelming. The law entitles victims of drunk driving accidents to seek compensation for damages they sustained. This can cover a range of costs, such as medical bills, lost earnings, and loss of quality of life.
Compensation can also cover the cost of any future medical care or treatment that you may need because of the accident. This can include physical therapy, ongoing medication, or necessary surgeries. Compensation may also encompass non-economic damages, such as emotional distress or pain and suffering, which are harder to quantify but equally important. There may also be punitive damages in cases where a court deems the driver’s conduct particularly egregious or reckless.
Our Redding drunk driving accident attorneys can determine the worth of your case, considering factors such as the severity of your injuries, your loss of income, and the extent of the driver’s negligence. Each case is unique, and the amount of compensation can greatly vary for each victim.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Redding
The unfortunate reality is that drunk driving accidents are a common occurrence in Redding. Local data suggests that these tragic incidents occur far too frequently and often result in severe injuries or fatalities.
In California cities, including Redding, drunk driving is one of the primary causes of traffic accidents. According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, traffic fatalities increased approximately 7.6 percent from 3,980 to 4,285 in one recent year, with alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increasing 16 percent from 1,180 to 1,370.
High-traffic areas in Redding that can lead to a lot of accidents include Hilltop Drive, Bechelli Lane, and Churn Creek Road where they intersect with Cypress Avenue.
What Causes Drunk Driving Accidents?
While each incident may have unique circumstances, there are a few common factors that often contribute to drunk driving accidents.
One of the primary causes is the impairment of the driver’s abilities. Alcohol can negatively affect one’s judgment, reaction time, coordination, and vision, all of which are crucial for safe driving.
Social factors can also contribute to the prevalence of drunk driving. Situations such as peer pressure, lack of awareness about the consequences, and a culture that normalizes drinking and driving can encourage intoxicated individuals to get behind the wheel.
Lack of enforcement of DUI laws and punishments may also contribute to the frequency of drunk driving accidents. Stricter enforcement and penalties can act as a deterrent for potential offenders.
Additionally, environmental factors such as poor road conditions, lack of proper signage, or inadequate street lighting can compound the risk of drunk driving. Understanding these causes is fundamental to grasping the prevalence of drunk driving accidents in certain areas in Redding.
Practice Area: Drunk Driving Accidents
Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP handles a wide range of drunk driving accidents. These include hit-and-run accidents, rear-end collisions, aggressive driving incidents, wrongful death accidents, and speeding accidents.
Our areas of coverage encompass minor to catastrophic injuries, including whiplash, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even cases of wrongful death.
Our firm can deal with the complexities of these accidents and injuries. We aim to provide comprehensive, tailored legal services to every case, regardless of the severity or complexity of the incident or injury. We proudly serve our clients with empathy and compassion, handling difficult situations so our clients can move on with their lives.
Legal Options for Drunk Driving Accidents
In the aftermath of a drunk driving accident, you have various legal options at your disposal. One option is to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver. This legal action can recoup expenses for medical treatment, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
In some cases, there could be additional parties who bear responsibility. If a bar or restaurant served alcohol to the drunk driver while visibly intoxicated, this establishment might also be liable under California’s Dram Shop Laws.
You may also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one tragically died in the drunk driving incident. This can provide compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, emotional suffering, and more. If the drunk driver was under the influence while on duty for their job, their employer could potentially be liable under certain circumstances.
This is known as vicarious liability, where victims can hold an employer responsible for the actions of an employee. Pursuing this legal route may provide an additional source of compensation.
Battling Insurance Companies After a Drunk Driving Accident
Dealing with insurance companies in the aftermath of a drunk driving accident can be a complex, challenging, and frustrating process. Insurance companies are typically more concerned with protecting their bottom line than providing the fair compensation you deserve.
They will downplay the accident to minimize or deny decompensation. It can also take hours to deal with insurance company representatives by phone. These chores can take you away from the day-to-day matters that you need to handle and can cause significant stress.
Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP is well-versed in dealing with these complexities. Our Redding drunk driving accident attorneys understand the tactics insurance companies use to devalue or deny valid claims. We can navigate the red tape and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
How Much Time Do You Have to Pursue a Case?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including drunk driving accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. There are, however, certain circumstances that may warrant shortening or extending this period.
If the accident resulted in death, for instance, the deceased’s family has two years from the date of death, not the date of the accident, to file a wrongful death claim. Or if the at-fault driver fled the scene of the accident and it took time to identify them, an extension to the time frame might be permissible. It is important to talk to an attorney to ensure you do not miss the deadline, as failing to file within the set time frame could bar you from receiving compensation altogether.
Steps To Take After a Drunk Driving Accident
After a drunk driving accident, there are several steps you should take to protect your rights and maximize your potential compensation. Follow your treatment plan and keep a detailed record of your medical treatments and expenses. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
It is also advisable to keep receipts, write in a journal about your recovery process, and obtain a copy of the police report. All these steps will aid your attorney in building a strong case on your behalf.
Make sure to gather as much evidence as you can to support your case. This can include photographs of the accident scene, contact information of any witnesses, and any other relevant details about the incident. This information could establish liability and strengthen your case.
Enlisting the services of Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP. We understand the ins and outs of the claims process and can guide you through it, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
If you or a loved one is the victim of a drunk driving accident, do not try to handle the legal complexities alone. Reach out to the experienced attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP. Our team is standing by to provide you with the legal assistance you need.
Our legal team has a deep understanding of drunk driving accidents. We keep up to date with current laws and statutes, ensuring we handle your case with utmost accuracy. We understand the nuances of personal injury law, and we know how to aggressively advocate for you in court.
Our attorneys also possess excellent negotiation skills, a crucial factor when it comes to negotiating with insurance companies to secure the highest possible compensation. Let us leverage our extensive legal knowledge and put it to use for your advantage.
We invite you to receive a free case evaluation where we can discuss your case in depth, advise on the compensation you could receive, and explain how we can work with you to navigate the legal process. Do not wait any longer to pursue the justice you deserve. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Redding at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP today at (530) 241-0290.
Reiner, Slaughter, & Frankel, LLP – Redding Office
2851 Park Marina Dr STE 200
Redding, CA 96001, United States
Phone: (530) 241-0290