San Mateo Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
A DUI Changes the Driver's Record. It Shouldn't Drain Your Savings.
The consequences of a DUI fall hardest on the people the impaired driver hits. We help San Mateo crash victims and grieving families pursue full compensation from the driver who chose to drink and drive.
$75+ million
recovered for injured clients
800+ five-star reviews
on Google and Yelp
No fee
unless we win
Available 24/7
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Why Drunk Driving Crashes Hit So Hard
A DUI crash isn’t like an ordinary fender-bender. An impaired driver may be barely aware of the road around them, with slowed reactions, poor judgment, and distorted depth perception. They can’t make the quick moves that avoid a collision, so the impact is often more violent, and the injuries more severe.
Some impaired drivers fall asleep at the wheel. Others weave erratically or drive the wrong way on busy highways. For the people in their path, the aftermath can mean:
Months, even years, of doctors' appointments and therapy
Time away from work and the income that goes with it
Medical debt that grows while you heal
A loss of enjoyment in the life you had before
The driver will answer to the criminal courts. You deserve to be compensated too, and that takes a separate claim. The consultation is free.
If You're Hit by a Drunk Driver in San Mateo
Get to safety and call 911.
Tell the dispatcher you think the other driver is impaired, so officers arrive knowing what to look for.
Keep your distance from the driver.
Impaired people can be unpredictable or try to leave. Note their car and plate, and let police deal with them.
Write down what you noticed.
Weaving before the crash, driving the wrong way, the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, or open containers. Details fade quickly.
Get treatment and keep every record.
Violent impacts can cause injuries that surface later. Keep bills, appointment notes, and receipts for out-of-pocket costs from day one.
Track the criminal case, but don't wait on it.
A DUI prosecution can take months. Your civil claim runs on its own clock, and that clock starts on the day of the crash.
Call a lawyer before you speak to an insurer.
Adjusters may still argue you share fault or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you say.
What Victims and Families Can Recover
Medical bills and out-of-pocket costs
Reimbursement from the ambulance and emergency room through surgery, therapy, and future care, plus travel to appointments, medical equipment, and the other expenses that pile up after a serious crash.
Lost wages
Income you’ve lost while recovering, and the earnings you may lose if you can’t return to the same work.
Pain, suffering, and lost enjoyment of life
Compensation for the physical pain and the activities, routines, and relationships the crash has taken from you.
Wrongful death damages
If a loved one was killed, California allows surviving spouses, domestic partners, children, and certain other close relatives to seek compensation for their losses.
How We Pursue Compensation After a DUI Crash
We take an individualized approach to every drunk driving case, because no two families are affected the same way. From the first consultation, we focus on three things:
- Proving impairment and fault. Police reports, breath or blood test results, witness accounts of erratic or wrong-way driving, and records from the criminal case all help establish what the driver did.
- Valuing the full harm. DUI injuries often mean long treatment and lasting limits. We document your medical care, lost income, and the ways the crash has changed daily life, so nothing is left off the table.
- Protecting your deadline. We regularly see people lose compensation simply because no one told them about the filing deadline. We confirm yours at the start and file on time.
The driver’s criminal penalties don’t pay your bills. We pursue the at-fault driver’s insurer, and every other source of coverage, until they do.
California Law After a DUI Crash
You can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer
California law allows injured people to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. The driver’s intoxication is powerful evidence of fault.
The criminal case and your claim are separate
A DUI prosecution punishes the driver. Only a civil claim compensates you, and you don’t need a conviction to win it.
Families have a right to sue
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 gives surviving spouses, domestic partners, children, and other close relatives the right to pursue a wrongful death claim when an impaired driver’s negligence takes a life.
Two years from the date of injury
Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit. Some circumstances change the deadline, so confirm yours with a lawyer early.
What Our Clients Say
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San Mateo Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
Why are drunk driving crashes often so severe?
Impaired drivers react slowly, misjudge distance, and may not see a hazard at all. Some fall asleep or drive the wrong way. Without a last-second brake or swerve, the collision tends to be more violent.
Can I file a claim if the driver hasn't been convicted yet?
Yes. Your civil claim is separate from the criminal case and doesn’t depend on its outcome. A conviction can strengthen your claim, but you can recover without one.
Who pays for my injuries after a DUI crash?
Usually the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. If the driver had no insurance or too little, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may cover the gap.
What damages can I recover?
Medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering, including the loss of enjoyment of life. In cases of extreme recklessness such as drunk driving, punitive damages may also be possible.
My family member was killed by a drunk driver. Who can bring a claim?
Under Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, surviving spouses, domestic partners, children, and other close relatives may pursue a wrongful death claim. We can explain who is eligible in your family’s situation.
How long do I have to file?
Generally two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. The deadline can vary with the circumstances, so don’t wait to find out yours.
What will it cost me to hire you?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency; you pay a fee only if we recover for you.
Get Your Free, Confidential Case Review, 24/7
Missing a deadline is one of the most common ways DUI victims lose their compensation. Don’t let it happen to you. Call now or send the form; we respond fast, 24/7, in English, Spanish, or Korean. Your consultation is free and confidential. No fee unless we win.
Call (408) 256-2871Free Case Review
Solution Now Law Firm
1253 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
Hablamos español · 한국어 상담 가능
