Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable for Crashes in Riverside
Drunk drivers must be held accountable for causing car crashes in Riverside. Many of these crashes involve catastrophic or fatal injuries, leaving families with irreparable losses. In California, there are two ways to pursue this accountability: One lies with the criminal justice system, while the other involves civil lawsuits.
An established personal injury law firm in Riverside can help families pursue these civil lawsuits after experiencing DUI crashes. Consider discussing this subject further with Knez Law Group, LLP. Experienced personal injury attorneys in Riverside such as Fred J. Knez can help victims hold drunk drivers accountable for the damage they have caused. Admitted to the State Bar of California in 1980, Fred J. Knez is a personal injury lawyer who has spent his entire career advocating for victims’ rights, as confirmed in their client reviews.
Drunk Drivers Continue to Cause Fatalities in Riverside
Drunk drivers are causing fatalities at a worrying pace in the Riverside area. In September of 2024, two different drunk drivers were arrested for causing a “series of crashes” that killed a pedestrian on the 91 Freeway. CBS News reported that these two drunk drivers crashed into each other, causing one of the vehicles to become disabled in the middle of the freeway. Some of the occupants exited this vehicle, causing complete mayhem for approaching motorists.
First, a semi-truck approached and swerved to avoid hitting the pedestrians in the middle of the road, overturning and slamming into a concrete wall. Next, another passenger vehicle approached and attempted to swerve away from the disabled vehicle. This maneuver was unsuccessful, and multiple pedestrians were struck. One was killed, while the other suffered serious crush-related injuries. The fact that two different drunk drivers occupying different vehicles crashed into each other highlights how common this problem has become.
One month later, another pedestrian died because of a drunk driver in the Riverside area. KTLA reported that a drunk driver “failed to yield” when turning left, striking a second vehicle and causing it to careen into a sidewalk. A 50-year-old pedestrian was struck, suffering fatal injuries. The second vehicle was also transporting a 2-year-old, who was injured.
How Do I Sue a Drunk Driver in Riverside?
In California, you must prove negligence if you want to pursue compensation from a drunk driver. Fortunately, it should be relatively easy to prove that a driver was drunk, especially if they were arrested for this offense after the crash. Even if they were not convicted, you may still pursue compensation.
The burden of proof is lower in civil court compared to criminal court, which means it is easier to prove that they were intoxicated during your lawsuit. Note that in the second accident report, the drunk driver failed to yield when turning left. This failure to yield is a form of negligence in and of itself, regardless of intoxication.
Contact an Established Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Personal injury lawyers in Riverside can help families affected by drunk drivers. Although criminal charges can put them behind bars, no amount of prison time will help families cover funeral costs, lost wages, unpaid medical fees, and other expenses. In contrast, a civil lawsuit guided by an experienced personal injury attorney can provide additional closure and financial security. Call Knez Law Group, LLP at 951-742-7681 today to get started with an action plan.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He then pursued his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, California, where he earned various awards, including the CALI Award in Torts, and was on the Dean’s List. During his time in law school, Mr. Knez was a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic, working with individuals seeking asylum in the United States from countries where they faced persecution or threats of persecution. Additionally, he was an Associate Editor for the Law Review and published an article on California family custody move-away cases. Learn more here.