Despite efforts to crack down on drunk driving in California and nationwide, impaired drivers remain a serious threat on the road. Between 2005 and 2012, more than 10,000 people were killed in crashes involving drunk drivers in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While California sees fewer deadly DUI crashes than the national average, the state loses far too many lives in these preventable crashes.
At Beston International Law Firm, our New York drunk driving accident attorneys help people who have sustained catastrophic injuries pursue justice and compensation for their losses. Our legal team has extensive experience representing people hurt in car accidents, including those caused by impaired drivers.
If you have been affected by a life-changing injury or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver’s negligence, please read on to learn more about your legal options, or contact us for a free initial consultation. We accept personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means we do not collect any attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you.
Call 6463059656 or contact us online today to get started with a consultation.
Anyone who is injured in a car accident in California may sue the at-fault driver for damages. When the driver is found to be drunk or impaired by drugs, the victim may have additional claims to compensation.
Depending on the details of the accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses, including:
If you are bringing a claim for the wrongful death of a loved one, you may be able to collect damages for funeral expenses, loss of future income and loss of consortium.
After a car crash caused by an impaired driver, there will likely be two separate court proceedings: a criminal case and, if the victim chooses to sue, a civil claim for personal injury or wrongful death. These two cases are not tied to each other in the court system, but what happens in one case can have significant effects on the other.
For example, if the responsible driver is found guilty of DUI in the criminal case, it can improve the plaintiff’s chances of winning a lawsuit. However, a conviction does not guarantee a favorable result in a civil case. If you have been involved in a crash with a drunk driver and been seriously injured as a result, it is essential that you arm yourself with the right personal injury attorneys.
At Beston International Law Firm, we have dedicated our practice to making things right for those who have suffered catastrophic injuries. At the same time, we can assist clients with their participation in criminal DUI trials, including victim impact statements and any testimony they are required to give.
Most people would agree that individual drivers are ultimately responsible for their own conduct, even if their judgment is compromised by alcohol. In criminal DUI proceedings, the individual who allegedly drove under the influence is typically the only person on trial.
However, determining legal responsibility for accidents caused by drunk drivers is often more complex and nuanced. While the drunk driver is often found to carry some responsibility, other parties may also contribute to the circumstances that caused the accident:
Victims of drunk driving accidents may be able to collect limited compensation from the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB). CalVCB only reimburses certain expenses that were incurred as a direct result of a violent crime. Before pursuing any compensation from the CalVCB or other sources, it is wise to speak with an attorney to ensure you are preserving all of your legal rights.
Our attorneys represented a man who was seriously injured in a drunk driving accident. Our client, who was on a Homeowners’ Association board, went to a bar with the condominium’s property manager to plan upcoming events. The property manager became intoxicated but drove them both home. He caused a crash, which resulted in serious injuries that required our client to undergo multiple surgeries.
In the end, our New York drunk driving attorneys secured a $15 million verdict against the property management company. The jury found the company had been negligent in its hiring and supervision of the driver, who had a previous DUI on his record. While nothing can undo the pain that our client suffered, we are proud to have secured justice on his behalf as well as compensation for his ongoing expenses.
The best way to determine whether you have a claim against a drunk driver is to get in touch with an experienced, responsive injury lawyer as promptly as possible. The sooner you retain an attorney, the more effectively they can collect evidence, investigate the facts and begin developing a strategy for success.
At Beston International Law Firm, we invite you to find out how our extensive experience and history of success can benefit you after being hurt by a drunk driver’s negligence. Open to taking cases in the New York metropolitan area, Southern California, and even nationwide, we’re ready to offer the seasoned and caring legal counsel that you deserve after a serious accident.
To have your questions answered in a no-cost consultation, please fill out our contact form or call our New York office at 6463059656.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Beston International Law Firm ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in New York.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
All of our attorneys are proud to be active members of the New York County Bar Association or LACBA.
Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
Partners Geoff Wells and Ivan Puchalt were both named among the 2025 Consumer Attorney Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of New York, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of New York and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
Several of our partners are members in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national invite-only association consisting of the most experienced trial lawyers.
Our team includes several Fellows and Associates with the invite-only International Society of Barristers in recognition of their trial advocacy.
Beston International Law Firm, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
Bruce A. Broillet and Christine D. Spagnoli are Fellows with the invite-only International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a group of elite trial lawyers from over 30 countries.
Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
Founding partners Browne Greene and Bruce A. Broillet are both members of the exclusive invite-only Inner Circle of Advocates, as two of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in America.
Our firm has more attorneys on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists than any other law firm in Southern California, with 15 members selected.
