Sacramento Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
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Sacramento Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
California law takes the safety of its drivers very seriously, especially when it comes to drunk driving. This can make things extremely difficult, however, for those who have been accused of causing an accident while intoxicated. If you have been charged with involvement in a collision while drunk, a Sacramento drunk driving accident lawyer can help you build your case and defend your future.
An Overview of Drunk Driving in Sacramento, California
What Is Considered Drunk Driving in Sacramento?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated drunk driving-related death occurs approximately every 45 minutes in the United States. California is known for its prolific handling of driving while under the influence type cases, having just over 96,000 DUI arrests in 2022 alone. Hiring a lawyer as soon as you have been charged can prove to be immensely helpful, especially when you want to avoid California’s severe drunk driving penalties.
California, like the majority of the United States, has determined that a person may be charged with drunk driving if their blood alcohol content, or “BAC”, is 0.08% or higher. For drivers under the legal drinking age, any detectable BAC can result in DUI charges. Additionally, a BAC of 0.15% or higher typically results in felony charges, which means the potential of felony penalties should you be found guilty.
Variables for Drunk Driving Penalties in Sacramento
There are some variables that could affect your penalties and charges for drunk driving. They include:
- A history of past offenses. If you have previously been convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, you may experience an increase in the severity of your charges. The law could perceive it as a pattern instead of a one-off, which can lead to higher fines, potential jail time, and having your license suspended and/or revoked altogether.
- Bodily harm. Drunk driving accidents can easily lead to physical harm and, even in some extreme cases, fatalities. The outcome of the accident can most definitely influence what you are charged with, as well as the severity of the charges and any relevant penalties. If there are fatalities, you may even be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
- Property damage. While the safety of those on the road is far more important, property damage remains an unfortunate consequence of drunk-driving accidents, potentially leading to criminal charges and civil court claims if the owner of the damaged property decides to pursue damages. This can also happen in injury cases.
- The presence of a minor. When a child is present during a drunk driving accident, both your charges and potential penalties can become far more severe.
Why Should I Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Sacramento, California?
There are many benefits for those who hire a drunk driving accident lawyer, including representation, clarity, advocacy, and even the potential to improve their case’s odds of success. The legal world can prove to be incredibly complex. It is easy to get lost in protocols, terminology, and court procedures without an informed guide. Fortunately, a seasoned lawyer with knowledge of local courts can help you prepare a strong case.
Drunk driving accident convictions can result in the guilty party paying roughly $10,000 in fines and fees, even if it is their first time being convicted of such a crime. Additional charges and more severe convictions can result in prison time, probation, and a suspended or revoked license, in addition to paying fines. Your lawyer can help you avoid this kind of severe impact on your life.
Should you be called to appear in court, it is likely to take place at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse. Your lawyer can help you sort out scheduling and serve as your advocate before the judge.
FAQs
Q: What Kind of Evidence Cannot Be Used in a Drunk Driving Accident Case in California?
A: In the state of California, evidence may be deemed unusable in court if it is considered irrelevant to the drunk driving accident case overall or if it is determined that it was gained unlawfully and/or improperly. This means anything obtained without just cause or a warrant, as well as insubstantial or irrelevant content.
Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in California?
A: Every drunk driving accident case is unique, which is why, in the state of California, the cost of hiring a drunk driving accident lawyer tends to vary based on the way certain factors influence your overall price. Such variables include the amount of time your case requires to reach a verdict, the severity of the charges, who you hire to represent you, and the level of complexity your case presents.
Q: Is Hiring a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Worthwhile in California?
A: At Guenard & Bozarth, LLP, we believe that hiring a drunk driving accident lawyer to represent you in Sacramento, California is one of the key steps you should take toward success. As our clients can attest, it can prove incredibly helpful to have a knowledgeable and devoted lawyer walk you through the various steps of your case, all the while advocating for you, your rights, and your desired outcomes.
Q: Do I Have to Appear in Court for a Drunk Driving Accident Case in California?
A: It is very likely that, if you are charged with being involved in a drunk driving accident in the state of California, you may need to appear in a court of law. This is because it is considered a crime and not just a potential civil violation, which means sentencing may be carried out by a judge.
Why Should I Choose Guenard & Bozarth, LLP to Represent Me in My Drunk Driving Accident Case in Sacramento, California?
Guenard & Bozarth, LLP has been helping clients just like you protect their futures from being forever altered by one poor choice. Our law firm is experienced in Sacramento’s drunk driving accident laws. Contact Guenard & Bozarth, LLP today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you protect your license, record, rights, and future.
Sacramento Practice Areas
Vehicle Accidents
INJURY PRACTICE AREAS
VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
We will promptly investigate your car, motorcycle or truck crash to pursue maximum damages.
INJURIES ON PROPERTY
Wrongful Death
PERSONAL INJURY
We fight back when legitimate claims are unfairly denied by insurance companies.
INSURANCE BAD FAITH
Bad faith litigation is becoming more common as the insurance industry continues to engage in dishonest practices that trample the rights of policyholders.
INSURANCE COMPANIES KNOW US BECAUSE THEY’VE PAID OUR CLIENTS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
$2.9
MILLION
CAR ACCIDENT INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth llp obtained a $2,962,903 jury verdict in the Sacramento County Superior Court for plaintiff David Schoonover, who suffered head and neck injuries and fractures in a head-on accident on Roseville Road in Roseville on July 22, 2012
$300
THOUSAND
HAIR SALON INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth LLP recently settled a case for $300,000 involving a hair weave that went terribly wrong. Our client was a young lady, and aspiring model, who experienced pressure necrosis from a tight weave and it changed her life.
$500
THOUSAND
SLIP & FALL INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth LLP recently settled a slip and fall case for $500,000 a couple weeks before trial. The client slipped and fell on a wet piece of cardboard in a grocery store and sustained a serious shoulder injury that required surgery.
$300
THOUSAND
NEGLIGENCE INJURY
On February 13, 2013 Maricela, a Certified Nursing Assistant presented to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Emergency Room with complaint of neck and back pain. She was diagnosed with a neck strain and was given Ibuprofen and instructed to return if her symptoms did not subside.
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