Glendale Drunk Driving Injury Attorney

Suing for Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities on roads and highways in California. At Hartounian, APLC, we are dedicated to pursuing justice for victims and families affected by drunk drivers. If you or someone you care about has been harmed in a drunk driving accident, a trusted drunk driving accident attorney in Glendale can help you take legal action to hold negligent parties accountable. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with our experienced team.

Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident? Contact Us Today!
Call us at (818) 463-1917 for a free consultation and get the compensation you deserve.

Your Steps Following a Drunk Driving Accident in Glendale

After a collision with a suspected drunk driver in Glendale, your immediate actions can significantly affect both your safety and your legal rights. First, it is crucial to seek medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor, as some conditions—such as concussions—can worsen over time. Notify the Glendale Police Department, which will investigate the scene and file an accident report; this official documentation is essential for any insurance or legal claim.

 If you are able, collect photographs of the vehicles, roadway conditions, and visible injuries. Keeping detailed notes about the incident and your recovery process can provide valuable evidence down the line. Retain all receipts and documentation, including those from urgent care centers or nearby hospitals in Glendale. These proactive measures not only support your case but also protect your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

Once the immediate aftermath is managed, contact your insurance provider and inform them of the incident, ensuring to avoid making any admission of fault or giving recorded statements before consulting an attorney. Navigating the claims process in California, especially in congested areas like Glendale, can be overwhelming without informed legal support. 

Our approach at Hartounian, APLC is to step into the process as your advocate, working directly with law enforcement, medical providers, and insurance adjusters to secure and preserve vital evidence. We handle the legal complexities, freeing you to focus on recovery while we guide you through each stage toward a fair outcome.

Why Choose Hartounian, APLC as Your Glendale Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Choosing the right legal representation after a drunk driving accident can influence both the process and the result of your personal injury claim. At Hartounian, APLC, our exclusive focus on personal injury and wrongful death in California provides you with focused, high-quality counsel. Our firm is deeply rooted in the Glendale community, giving us local knowledge to navigate city-specific procedures and understand how local courts interpret drunk driving accident cases. 

Our team emphasizes partnership—clients are never just a number. You’ll receive attentive care and personalized strategies designed around your unique case, medical needs, and recovery goals. We understand the profound and lasting effects that drunk driving incidents have on victims and their loved ones.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we achieve a result for you. Our attorneys have over a decade of experience negotiating with insurance companies and litigating cases in the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, including the Glendale Courthouse. 

This background informs every negotiation and courtroom appearance we make. When you work with us, you benefit not only from our deep legal knowledge but also from our commitment to open, consistent communication—keeping you informed every step of the way. Our dedication is evident in thorough investigations, effective advocacy, and a history of securing favorable outcomes for drunk driving accident victims throughout Glendale and the surrounding areas.

California Dram Shop Laws

Understanding the laws governing alcohol service in California is critical when considering liability in drunk driving accident claims. Glendale, located in Los Angeles County, adheres to state Dram Shop laws, which generally limit the circumstances in which an establishment can be held liable for serving alcohol to an adult who later causes a DUI crash.

 While California law is more narrow than in some states, there are scenarios—particularly involving knowingly serving minors or obviously intoxicated individuals—where victims may have grounds to pursue compensation from a bar or restaurant. With the insight of a drunk driving accident lawyer in Glendale, you can determine whether local establishments may bear responsibility for your injuries and evaluate your options under state law.

Dram Shop acts and those that are similar to California’s Law impose civil liabilities on bar owners and liquor establishments for the actions of intoxicated patrons. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be eligible to pursue additional compensation from the bar, restaurant, or establishment that served alcohol to the intoxicated motorist.

California’s Civil Code sections 1714 and 1714.1 protect innocent third parties from the risk of physical harm caused by those who irresponsibly sell or provide alcoholic beverages to others, resulting in a DUI accident and injury.

Compensation for a Drunk Driving Victim

If you are a victim of a DUI-related accident, you may be able to recover for several types of compensation, including the following:

• Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for past and future medical costs, including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to inability to work during recovery or permanent loss of earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from the accident.
• Property Damage: Coverage for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other property damaged in the crash.
• Punitive Damages: Additional compensation meant to punish the drunk driver for reckless behavior and deter future misconduct.

It is also important to consider the long-term implications of your injuries when seeking compensation. In Glendale, where medical care can be costly and recovery may require specialized treatment at facilities such as Adventist Health Glendale, victims must thoroughly document the extent of their injuries and future needs. 

We recommend working closely with medical professionals and our legal team to calculate not only your immediate expenses but also the ongoing impact on your earning capacity and daily life. In certain cases, rehabilitation or modification to your home may be necessary, further increasing the need for comprehensive financial recovery. By assessing every aspect of your losses, we help ensure that no part of your claim is overlooked when negotiating with insurers or pursuing litigation against those responsible.

A qualified personal injury attorney ensures you receive fair compensation by carefully evaluating your case and negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing litigation if needed. This representation is key to safeguarding your rights throughout the legal process.

The Legal Process for Drunk Driving Injury Claims

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, it’s important to understand the steps involved in filing a claim. Here is a simplified breakdown of the process:

• Report the Accident to the Police
  Immediately after the accident, call the police. An official police report is crucial as it documents key details about the accident, such as the driver’s behavior, evidence of intoxication, and the parties involved.
• Seek Medical Attention
  Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s important to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries from drunk driving accidents, like whiplash or internal injuries, may not show symptoms immediately.
• Gather Evidence at the Scene
  Collect as much information as possible, including photos of the scene, the other driver’s details, and witness statements. This evidence will support your claim.
• Notify Your Insurance Company
  Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. They will guide you through the next steps and may offer compensation for medical bills and repairs.
• Consult an Attorney
  Engage a drunk driving accident attorney in Glendale who can help you navigate the legal process. Your attorney will negotiate with insurance companies, gather further evidence, and ensure your claim is managed effectively.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies
  The insurance company of the drunk driver may offer a settlement. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to ensure the settlement is fair and covers all your damages.
• Filing a Lawsuit
  If a fair settlement isn’t reached, your attorney can file a lawsuit to take the case to court. This allows you to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Successfully navigating a drunk driving injury claim in Glendale depends on prompt action and careful documentation at every stage. Local law enforcement, such as the Glendale Police Department, keep thorough records that may be essential to your legal case. Additionally, securing medical documentation from area hospitals is vital in providing evidence of your injuries’ severity. 

Because uninsured or underinsured drivers are common in Los Angeles County, many cases require intricate negotiations with multiple insurers, making it critical to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side. At Hartounian, APLC, we coordinate with these local resources and ensure all court deadlines are met, leveraging our experience with cases in the Los Angeles County Superior Court just minutes from downtown Glendale. We are dedicated to giving your claim every opportunity for full and fair resolution.

Drunk Driving Statistics & Impact on Glendale Communities

Drunk driving remains a significant public safety issue throughout California, including Glendale. Here are several key statistics to provide context:

• In California, about 1 in 3 traffic-related deaths involve alcohol.
• Over 10,000 DUI-related accidents occur on California roads each year.
• In 2020 alone, alcohol-impaired driving contributed to more than 1,000 deaths statewide.

In Glendale, city initiatives and safety programs—often in collaboration with organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)—serve to educate the public and reduce the risk of repeat offenses. Law enforcement efforts are regularly concentrated in high-traffic corridors such as Brand Boulevard and Colorado Street to mitigate the dangers posed by intoxicated drivers. Our attorneys monitor current trends and community safety campaigns to better advise clients impacted by drunk driving crashes within our city. By pursuing justice for accident victims, we help promote accountability and foster safer streets for all Glendale residents.

These statistics highlight the devastating effects of drunk driving on local communities. When individuals choose to drive under the influence, they endanger lives throughout the city. Legal action is essential not only for obtaining compensation but also for protecting Glendale neighborhoods and helping deter future accidents.

Understanding DUI Penalties & How They Relate to Civil Cases

In California, drunk driving results in both criminal penalties and potential civil liability. Here’s how these consequences can affect your case:

• Criminal Penalties for DUI
  • First offense: Typically results in fines, license suspension, and mandatory DUI education.
  • Subsequent offenses: Can lead to more severe penalties, such as extended license suspensions, increased fines, or potential jail time.
• How Criminal Penalties Affect Civil Cases
  While criminal penalties punish a drunk driver for their actions, civil lawsuits are intended to compensate victims. The outcome of a criminal proceeding can influence a related civil case—for example, a DUI conviction can make it easier to prove negligence or recklessness in court.
• Punitive Damages
  In civil claims, victims may seek punitive damages along with compensatory damages. These are meant to penalize egregiously reckless behavior and act as a deterrent to others.

Glendale courts, including the Glendale Courthouse, routinely hear both the criminal and civil sides of DUI cases. Victims are often concerned about how a criminal prosecution may impact their civil recovery. At Hartounian, APLC, our attorneys coordinate with law enforcement and leverage criminal evidence, from breathalyzer results to officer observations, to strengthen our clients’ civil cases. 

We also explain the distinctions in the standard of proof and process between criminal proceedings and civil claims. Our detailed, client-centered approach helps Glendale injury victims stay informed and confident as we pursue compensation on their behalf. Understanding the relationship between criminal penalties and civil liability empowers victims of drunk driving accidents in Glendale to make proactive, informed decisions about their legal options.

How a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Glendale Can Help You Sue a Drunk Driver

To be successful in a personal injury lawsuit, you must:

• Demonstrate that you have sustained an injury.
• Show that your injury was the result of another driver’s negligence or recklessness and a "dangerous condition existed."
• Demonstrate the amount of your damages.

Hiring an experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Glendale provides significant benefits if you’ve suffered injuries in a collision. Attorneys familiar with the Los Angeles County court system know the types of evidence that are most persuasive, from police reports and intersection surveillance to local eyewitness accounts. We also help clients avoid costly mistakes, such as unintentionally downplaying injuries or accepting a low initial insurance offer. 

By serving as your advocate, our firm aggressively pursues all available compensation options, including claims against local businesses or social hosts when permitted under Glendale and California law. We are committed to supporting clients in every phase of their legal journey, providing meaningful advice, resources, and clarity so they can move forward with confidence after a serious accident.

When your accident, injury, and expenses result from a drunk driver’s actions, your case may involve unique legal complexities. Consulting an experienced attorney is critical for victims injured by DUI drivers, as accepting a "quick settlement" is often not enough to cover all medical bills and related costs. We advise Glendale injury victims at Hartounian, APLC to consult with our team promptly to secure fair compensation that truly reflects the impact of the crash on your life.