Drunk Driving Accidents in Santa Rosa

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is one of the most dangerous things a person can do. Unfortunately, despite widespread education and prevention campaigns, many drivers still get behind the wheel when they’re drunk.

As a result, one person is killed by a drunk driver across the nation every 39 minutes. Countless more suffer non-fatal but very serious injuries that change their lives forever.

When you get hit by a drunk driver in Santa Rosa, California, it’s important to explore your legal options and fight to recover the compensation you need and deserve to move forward with your life. A local car accident attorney in Santa Rosa can help you navigate this process.

How Common is Drunk Driving in Santa Rosa?

Every year, dozens of drunk driving car accidents are reported in Santa Rosa, California. According to state crash data, there were 72 drunk driving accidents in Santa Rosa in 2022. As a result, 95 people were injured and two people were killed.

In 2023, the total number of drunk driving collisions increased slightly to 75. At least 100 people were injured, but no drunk driving fatalities were reported that year.

The vast majority of Santa Rosa’s drunk driving accidents happen downtown, close to bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, while between one-quarter and one-third of the city’s drunk driving wrecks occur on state highways.

Why is Drunk Driving So Dangerous?

Alcohol is a depressant that alters the way a person moves, thinks, and acts.

When a person consumes alcohol, they’re likely to experience:

• Decreased reaction time
• Loss of coordination
• Changes in vision
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Difficulty making good decisions

These can be dangerous under any circumstances, but particularly when a person is behind the wheel of a vehicle. 

Drunk drivers are more likely to:

• Drive on the wrong side of the road
• Miscalculate the amount of time needed to make a safe turn
• Swerve between lanes
• Run red lights and stop signs
• Forget to pay attention to the road
• Fail to signal before turning or changing lanes
• Make errors when braking

The more alcohol a person consumes before driving, the more likely they are to make potentially fatal mistakes at the wheel.

Demand Compensation If You’ve Been Hit By a Drunk Driver in Santa Rosa, CA

When someone makes the decision to drive after having a few drinks, they’re putting themselves and others on the road in harm’s way. When their intoxication causes an accident, they can be liable for their negligence.

Through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you can demand compensation from the drunk driver and other liable parties for:

• Medical bills
• Disability
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• Rehabilitation
• Chronic physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Funeral expenses if a drunk driving accident in Santa Rosa is fatal, resulting in wrongful death

A jury might also order the drunk driver to pay punitive damages if your car accident lawsuit goes to trial in Sonoma County. 

It can be important to have an experienced Santa Rosa injury lawyer help you navigate this difficult time. Call Singleton Schreiber for help right away. We’ve helped our clients win billions in monetary awards. Now, we’re here to help you get justice for your drunk driving accident, too. Call our Santa Rosa law office to schedule a free consultation today.