Santa Clarita Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

California DUI Laws & Your Civil Claim

Understanding California’s DUI standards helps frame what happened legally and what your civil claim can address. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is the legal threshold for impairment for drivers 21 and over. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter limit of 0.04%. Drivers under 21 are subject to California’s zero-tolerance law under Vehicle Code Section 23136, which sets the threshold at 0.01%.

On the civil side, California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 generally gives victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, or two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Missing that deadline can foreclose the claim, so timing matters from the outset.

Where a Santa Clarita Drunk Driving Case Moves Through the Courts

The criminal case against the at-fault driver is prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and is typically heard at the Santa Clarita Courthouse, also known as the Valencia or Newhall Courthouse, part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s North Valley District. That courthouse handles the area’s criminal, traffic, and DUI matters.

Your civil injury claim is a separate legal action filed in a different venue. Civil cases from the Santa Clarita area are generally handled through other North Valley District courthouses. The two proceedings run on different tracks with different standards of proof, which is one reason coordinating them calls for sustained attorney involvement rather than periodic check-ins through support staff.

Compensation in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim

A civil claim can pursue several categories of compensation depending on the circumstances of the crash and the losses you’ve suffered:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care costs
• Lost income: Wages lost during recovery and reduced earning capacity if injuries are long-term
• Property damage: Vehicle repair or replacement and other damaged property
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and the emotional impact of the injury
• Punitive damages: Because drunk driving may reflect a conscious disregard for others’ safety, California courts may award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages in appropriate cases
• Wrongful death losses: When a drunk driving crash is fatal, surviving family members may pursue funeral costs, loss of financial support, and related losses through a wrongful death claim

Pursuing Your Civil Claim in Santa Clarita

A civil personal injury or wrongful death claim against a drunk driver can move forward regardless of what happens in the criminal case. Civil liability is generally decided on a preponderance of the evidence standard, a lower bar than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal court. Even if the driver avoids a criminal conviction, you may still have a viable civil claim.

We investigate the crash, gather evidence, and work to hold every responsible party accountable for your losses. Our approach is built around easing the legal burden so you can direct your energy toward recovery.

Start With a Free Case Review

Reaching out costs nothing. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis so there are no upfront legal fees, and can come to your home or hospital if you’re unable to travel. We’re available around the clock and speak Spanish for clients who prefer it.