Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Pasadena

Jury-Focused Representation for People Injured by Impaired Drivers

A collision caused by an impaired driver can lead to both a civil injury claim and a separate criminal prosecution. At Claypool Law Firm, we investigate the civil claim, assess available insurance coverage, and prepare each case as though it may proceed to a jury. Lead attorney Brian Claypool has conducted more than 100 jury trials in state and federal courts.

Our selective caseload allows us to give each case focused attention. We provide clear guidance as the evidence, insurance issues, and legal options take shape, and bilingual services are available for Spanish-speaking clients.

Call (626) 602-1333 to request a free consultation with our drunk driving accident lawyer in Pasadena.

Civil Claims After a Drunk Driving Accident

A civil injury claim is separate from the criminal prosecution of the impaired driver. A conviction isn’t required to pursue compensation, although evidence developed during the criminal investigation may be relevant. Criminal drunk driving and related felony proceedings arising in Pasadena are handled at the Pasadena Courthouse.

A California drunk driving accident claim may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses connected to crash injuries.
• Lost wages caused by the injuries.
• Pain and suffering.
• Damage to a vehicle or other property.

California follows comparative negligence, so compensation can be reduced by the injured person’s percentage of responsibility for the collision. Insurers may dispute fault even when alcohol impairment is alleged. We examine the crash circumstances and evidence rather than assuming the criminal investigation resolves every civil issue.

Punitive damages are intended to punish particularly wrongful conduct rather than compensate for a specific loss. They may be available when the evidence shows sufficiently reckless or malicious conduct, including circumstances in which a person knew they were intoxicated and chose to drive.

California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 generally allows two years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit. In a fatal collision, the two-year period for a wrongful death claim generally begins on the date of death. Exceptions may change these deadlines, making an early assessment important.

Insurance Coverage & Liability for Serving Alcohol

The impaired driver’s auto liability policy is a primary source of recovery in many cases. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may provide another path when the responsible driver has no insurance or insufficient limits. The policy terms, available coverage, and documented losses affect how the claim proceeds.

California substantially limits claims against alcohol vendors. Business and Professions Code section 25602(b) generally shields businesses and individuals that serve alcohol to an intoxicated adult from liability for injuries the patron later causes. Section 25602.1 creates a narrow potential claim when a vendor furnishes alcohol to an obviously intoxicated minor who subsequently causes an injury.

Social hosts also aren’t automatically responsible for an intoxicated guest’s conduct. Civil Code section 1714(c) generally shields a host from liability for resulting harm, subject to an exception involving alcohol furnished to a minor. We assess these requirements before identifying a vendor or host as a potentially responsible party.

Evidence in a Pasadena Drunk Driving Injury Claim

Police reports may record responding officers’ observations, witness information, involved parties, and reported crash circumstances. Blood alcohol concentration results and other chemical-test records may provide evidence of impairment.

Law-enforcement records may also contain observations from roadside field sobriety tests. Photographs, vehicle damage, witness accounts, and crash-scene evidence can help establish how the collision occurred. We review each source in the context of the complete investigation.

Medical records document diagnoses, treatment, and the connection between crash injuries and claimed losses. They can also support an evaluation of medical expenses, time away from work, and the injuries’ effect on daily life.

How We Build & Manage Your Claim

We begin with a free consultation and an initial assessment of the known facts, injuries, insurance information, and legal issues. If we accept the case, we handle the personal injury claim on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorney fees are collected only if we recover compensation for you. Clients communicate directly with their attorney.

Claim development may include:

• Collecting police and medical records.
• Reviewing available insurance coverage.
• Documenting injuries and other losses.
• Negotiating with insurers.

Because we prepare cases with trial in mind, litigation preparation can begin when the evidence and disputed issues call for it. We keep clients informed and provide guidance from the initial assessment through resolution.

The time required depends on the injuries, available evidence, insurance limits, and any disputes over liability. We don’t assign a standard timeline before evaluating those case-specific factors.

Discuss Your Pasadena Drunk Driving Accident Claim

Use our contact form to tell us about the collision, your injuries, and available insurance information. There’s no obligation to determine whether our representation fits your circumstances.

We assess the civil claim independently from the criminal prosecution and explain the available next steps based on the evidence and insurance coverage.

Call (626) 602-1333 to discuss your claim with Claypool Law Firm.