At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we focus on helping people hurt by drunk drivers get real answers and real results. If you or someone you care about was injured in a crash involving alcohol, it’s not just another accident, it’s something that could have been prevented. You may feel angry, confused, or unsure of what comes next. That’s exactly why we’re here.
As a trusted Car Accident Lawyer in Glendale, CA, Adrianos Facchetti has been handling drunk driving accident claims for nearly two decades. We know how to deal with insurance companies, how to prove fault, and how to fight for the compensation victims deserve. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving remains a leading cause of fatal crashes nationwide. If it happened to you, we’ll help you take the next step starting with a free consultation.
Hurt by a Drunk Driver in Glendale? Know Your Legal Options
If you’ve been injured in a DUI accident in Glendale, you may be facing more than just physical pain. You might be out of work, worried about your future, and unsure who to trust. California traffic laws give you the right to pursue compensation when a drunk driver causes harm. That includes coverage for your pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses.
As experienced accident attorneys serving Glendale and Los Angeles County, we help accident victims understand what steps to take. Whether it's dealing with the insurance company, filing a personal injury claim, or seeking damages for emotional distress, the law gives you options. We’ll help you use them.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti for Your DUI Injury Claim?
Choosing the right accident attorney in Glendale can make a big difference in how your case turns out. At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we focus on helping victims of drunk driving accidents recover what they’ve lost. That means not just legal support, but the commitment to push for full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and more.
We’ve spent nearly two decades helping people in Los Angeles and throughout California stand up to insurance companies after motor vehicle accidents. With over 1,000 personal injury cases handled and a multilingual team, our law firm knows how to build a strong case and keep you informed at every step. And you don’t pay unless we win.
What Counts as Drunk Driving Under California Law?
Drunk driving in California is defined by specific blood alcohol content (BAC) limits: 0.08% for adults, 0.01% for drivers under 21, and lower thresholds for commercial drivers. But it’s not just about alcohol. Driving under the influence of drugs whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal can also lead to a DUI charge and serious consequences after a crash.
A Glendale DUI lawyer can help determine if the person who hit you was impaired and how that affects your case. Whether you're dealing with broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, proving intoxication is key. The law is clear: if someone causes a car accident because they were impaired, they should be held responsible. That includes liability for lost wages, emotional distress, and even punitive damages in serious cases.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Crash in Glendale?
When someone is injured in a drunk driving accident, it’s easy to assume the intoxicated driver is the only person responsible. But the truth is, multiple parties could share legal liability, especially in complex personal injury cases involving commercial vehicles, public roads, or underage drinking.
Identifying all responsible parties helps maximize your injury settlement and ensures no one slips through the cracks. If you've been hurt in a crash caused by impaired driving, an experienced DUI Accident Attorney can investigate the full picture. Here's who might be held accountable:
- The intoxicated driver
- The vehicle owner, if they loaned the car knowingly
- An employer, if the driver was on duty
- Bars or restaurants under dram shop laws (in rare but qualifying cases)
- Social hosts who served alcohol to someone underage
- Rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft, depending on driver status
- Car manufacturers, in the case of malfunctioning brakes or steering
- Local governments, if poor road design or missing signage played a role
Understanding liability in drunk driving accident cases is key to getting fair compensation. It can make the difference between covering some expenses or fully recovering what you’ve lost.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Glendale
The steps you take after a crash involving an intoxicated driver can shape your entire legal journey. These moments matter not just for your physical well-being, but for protecting your claim.
Reacting clearly and quickly helps your personal injury attorneys build a stronger drunk driving accident case. Follow these actions to help preserve evidence and your right to pursue compensation:
- Call 911 to report the traffic collision and request medical help
- Get checked by a doctor, even if the injuries feel small at first
- Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and traffic signals
- Collect names and contact info from any witnesses
- Ask the police how to obtain your official Traffic Collision Report
- Reach out to an accident attorney who understands DUIs in Glendale
Acting quickly also helps your case manager gather the records and evidence needed to fight back against any auto insurance denial or liability exclusions. If you’re a victim of a drunk driving accident, the right steps today can help your future recovery.
Common Injuries After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
Drunk driving crashes are different from everyday car accidents. The speed, lack of control, and delayed reaction time of the driver often lead to more severe injuries and a longer road to recovery for the victim.
We see it every day at our personal injury law firm. People suffer life-altering damage that affects how they live, work, and care for their families. Here are some of the most common injuries we’ve helped clients recover from in drunk driving accident cases:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), often from high-impact crashes
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or full paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures, sometimes requiring surgery
- Internal injuries such as organ damage or internal bleeding
- Burns, abrasions, and scarring from airbags or explosions
- Whiplash and neck trauma, even at lower speeds
- Emotional trauma and PTSD that lingers long after the accident
- Loss of life, where wrongful death claims become necessary
If you’ve suffered injuries like these, legal representation from experienced accident attorneys in Glendale can help you seek compensation that reflects the true impact on your life. It’s about more than the medical side, it’s about your ability to move forward.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover After a DUI Crash?
If you were injured or hit by a drunk driver in California, you have the legal right to seek compensation. What you can recover depends on how the crash affected your life physically, financially, and emotionally. An experienced DUI accident lawyer in Glendale will look at your losses now and in the future to build a claim that covers it all.
The goal is to make sure car accident victims are not left paying for someone else’s reckless actions. You may be entitled to financial recovery for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost income and reduced ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Property damage
- Long-term rehab or therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages against the drunk driver
- Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
Working with drunk driving injury lawyers helps you understand what your case is truly worth. Insurance companies don’t always offer what’s fair. The right legal support can make all the difference.
Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim After a DUI Fatality?
When a drunk driver causes a fatal accident, surviving family members can take legal action. A wrongful death claim is different from a regular injury case it focuses on the losses experienced by the family.
Here’s what to know:
- Immediate family members such as a spouse, children, or parentsare usually the ones who can file
- The family can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and emotional impact
- These cases recognize the value of the life lost and how it affects those left behind
If you're unsure whether you qualify, a personal injury attorney can explain your rights and help with the legal process.
What Is the Deadline to File a DUI Accident Claim in California?
California law limits how long you have to take legal action after a DUI crash. Missing a deadline could mean losing the chance to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim.
- The general deadline for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the accident
- Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of death
- If the claim is against a city or public agency, you may have as little as 6 months
Acting quickly also helps preserve evidence, which is important in cases involving impaired drivers. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your rights.
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in Glendale and California
Understanding the scope of DUI crashes helps highlight why legal help matters. Drunk drivers continue to be a major threat on California roads.
- In 2022, California reported 1,479 alcohol-related crash deaths, according to SafeTREC
- Across the U.S., about 37 people die each day in crashes caused by alcohol
- Drivers between ages 21 and 34 are the most likely to be involved in DUI-related accidents
- Local data from Glendale and Los Angeles County can show how serious the problem is in your area
Drunk driving accident lawyers use this data not only to support your claim but also to push for full accountability. If you’re a victim, knowing the numbers helps show the seriousness of what you’ve been through.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Accidents in California
It’s common to have questions after a crash involving a drunk or impaired driver. The legal process can feel confusing, especially if the facts of the case aren’t clear. Below are answers to questions many injured people ask when they reach out to our team.
What if the driver wasn’t charged or convicted?
You can still file a claim of drunk driving in a civil court, even if there’s no criminal conviction. The standards for proving responsibility are different. A civil case only needs to show that it’s more likely than not that the driver was impaired and caused the crash. That means you don’t have to wait for or rely on the criminal system to take legal action.
Can I sue if the driver had no insurance?
Yes. If the at-fault driver had no coverage, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist policy. Our drunk driving accident lawyers will review all possible options to help protect you. Many people don’t realize that their own policy could cover lost wages, medical costs, and other damages.
Will my own insurance cover my medical bills?
It depends on your specific coverage. Some auto policies include medical payment benefits, which can help with out-of-pocket costs right after the crash. But insurance companies don’t always make things clear. A DUI accident lawyer can review your policy and help you understand what support is available.
Can I receive punitive damages in these cases?
Punitive damages are meant to punish reckless or harmful behavior. In DUI cases, courts may award extra damages if the driver’s actions showed a clear disregard for the safety of others. Not every case qualifies, but a Glendale drunk driving accident lawyer can determine if your situation fits the criteria.
How to Report a Drunk Driver in Glendale
If you see someone driving in a way that seems unsafe swerving, speeding, or ignoring traffic signs, report it immediately. Drunk driving puts everyone on the road at risk.
Call 911 if there’s an emergency or if the behavior is creating an immediate danger. For non-emergencies, you can contact the California Highway Patrol at 1-800-TELL-CHP. Be ready to share the vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate, and location.
Your report could stop a crash before it happens. Even one call can save lives.
You Only Pay If We Win – Call Our Glendale Drunk Driving Lawyers Now
After a DUI crash, it’s hard to know who to trust. You don’t need more stress. That’s why at the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we make it simple. Our Glendale drunk driving accident lawyers offer a 100% free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
We serve clients in Glendale and surrounding areas, helping victims recover compensation in personal injury cases involving drunk or impaired drivers. Whether you’re dealing with lost income, ongoing treatment, or property damage, our team is ready to step in. We handle communication with insurance companies and keep your claim moving forward.
Reach out now by phone or use our online form to get started. Let a trusted DUI accident lawyer in Glendale explain your options and protect your rights.
