Of the more than 100 people killed in auto accidents every day in the United States, several dozen people are killed in accidents caused by intoxicated drivers.  Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a serious problem in Mendocino County and throughout northern California. Although the percentage of traffic related fatalities of all traffic deaths has dropped significantly in the last several decades, intoxicated driving continues to be a serious problem that kills more than 10,000 Americans every year.  In Mendocino County, DUI accidents are especially common on State Route 1, U.S. Route 101, and State Route 20. The CHP reported 16 alcohol or drug related traffic deaths in Mendocino County in 2008, and 83 injuries.

Advocates for DUI Accident Victims in Mendocino County

The California personal injury attorneys at Estey Bomberger have seen firsthand the consequences of drinking and driving. We have represented hundreds of victims of DUI accidents and families of those killed in alcohol related accidents.  As victims’ attorneys, our role is to help victims hold accountable drunk and drug impaired drivers and other parties responsible for Mendocino County DUI accident victims.  We help injured victims recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other accident related expenses. We help families of victims of fatal accidents recover damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship.

Types of DUI Crash Injuries

Alcohol and drug related accidents often occur suddenly and without warning, resulting in very serious injuries, including:

Drunk driving accidents take a heavy toll not just emotionally and physically, but financially as well. The damage to your vehicle may be nothing compared to the thousands of dollars billed in medical care treatment expenses including ambulance transport, hospitalization stays, diagnostic tests, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitative care, prescription drugs, and other treatment costs. According to a 2010 report issued by the Centers for Disease Control, researchers found that in a one-year period, the costs associated with treating car crash injuries exceeded $99 billion.

Compensation for DUI Accident Victims

While criminal charges punish the offender, criminal charges do nothing to compensate for their injuries and time away from work, as well as the pain and suffering they endured.  Victims of alcohol and drug related accidents may be entitled to damages for medical treatment, as well as lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, At Estey Bomberger, our Mendocino DUI accident victim lawyers are advocates of victims’ rights. We fight to help victims recover the maximum, full and fair compensation they are entitled to and hold accountable the drunk drivers and other parties accountable. Our drunk driving victim lawyers have recovered millions in verdicts and settlements (see DUI accident case results) including a $6 million settlement for a DUI head-on collision in 2010.  If you or a family member has been involved in a Mendocino drunk driving crash and you would like more information about your legal rights, contact Estey Bomberger for a free consultation. We represent injured victims in all of Mendocino County, including Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits, and throughout northern California.