HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER? DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS CAUSE DEATH IN CALIFORNIA- YOU NEED A LAWYER
Drunk drivers cause around 17,000 drunk driving-related fatalities every year. Deaths from DUI represent more than 40% of the total traffic accident deaths in the U.S. annually. If you or a family member has been hit by a drunk driver, you should call a personal injury attorney . Drunk driving accidents result in serious injuries, and we have the experience and knowledge to assist you. Please call the Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free and confidential consultation.
Drunk driving, also known legally as DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated), is defined as the act of driving or operating a motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, bus or truck) while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the point that motor and mental skills are impaired. Driving while intoxicated is illegal in every part of the U.S. including California.
DUI in California
In California the criminal offense for drunk driving is known as DUI (driving under the influence). California arrests approximately 200,000 people for DUI each year. In 1997, more than 1,100 people (3 people per day) were killed in alcohol-related accidents in California. That year drunk driving caused about 30% of all traffic deaths. According to CA law, a person may not drive if the concentration of blood-alcohol (BAC) in their system is .08% or higher. A BAC level of .08 or more is the standard measure most states employ to determine if a driver is intoxicated or impaired.
The State of California has strict DUI laws to prevent accidents, injuries and death. Here are some primary stipulations:
For All Drivers the following is illegal:
- A blood-alcohol level (BAC) of .08 or higher
- Driving under the influence of illegal drugs and narcotics
- A blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04 percent or higher if driving a vehicle that requires a commercial driver license
For Drivers under 21:
- No beer, wine or liquor in your vehicle if driving alone. (Exceptions might be made for work-related driving)
- No driving after consuming alcohol in any form, including prescription medications and/or cough syrup
- A blood-alcohol concentration level (BAC) of .01 or higher is illegal
For Drivers under 18:
- Any amount of measurable blood alcohol concentration is illegal
