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Award-Winning Irvine, CA Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Q: Can I recover punitive damages from a drunk driver in California?

Yes. California Civil Code section 3294 allows punitive damages where a defendant acted with malice, and the California Supreme Court in Taylor v. Superior Court held that driving while intoxicated can support a punitive damages claim. Punitive damages are meant to punish and deter, and they are often a significant additional layer of recovery in DUI civil cases on top of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Q: How long does a drunk driving injury case take to settle in Irvine?

Simple DUI cases with clear liability and shorter treatment can resolve within a few months. Cases involving surgery, traumatic brain injury, long-term rehab, or wrongful death typically take a year or more, especially if the criminal case is still moving or if a lawsuit is filed in Orange County Superior Court. Your legal team will keep the process moving and update you at each step.

Q: What if the drunk driver who hit me has no insurance or low coverage?

You may still recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which California insurers must offer. UM/UIM benefits can cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver's policy is missing or too small. We also investigate dram shop liability, employer liability, and any other coverage source that might apply to your specific crash.

Q: How do I get a copy of the police report after a DUI crash in Irvine?

If the Irvine Police Department responded, you can request a traffic collision report from the IPD Records Unit at 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606, by phone at (949) 724-7000, or online through the City of Irvine website at cityofirvine.org/police-department/police-records. If the California Highway Patrol responded on a freeway or unincorporated area, request the report from the CHP Santa Ana Area office or at chp.ca.gov/programs-services/services-information/collision-reports.

Q: Should I talk to the drunk driver's insurance company before hiring a lawyer?

It is best to speak with a lawyer first. Insurers may push for a recorded statement or float a fast settlement that ignores future medical costs and the value of a punitive damages claim. GoSuits can step in early, handle communications, preserve evidence, and protect your recovery. After a serious DUI crash, the small step of one consultation often changes the outcome of the entire case.

Hire the Smart Suits for Your Lawsuits

At GoSuits, we stand with families across Orange County whose lives have been turned upside down by a drunk driver. If a DUI crash has left you injured or stolen someone you love, our Irvine team is here to lift the legal weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and your family while we pursue full and fair compensation from the people responsible.

Drunk driving cases are different. The driver chose to get behind the wheel impaired, and that choice usually opens the door to both compensatory and punitive damages under California law. We know how to build that case, how to push back when an insurer tries to minimize what happened, and how to keep you informed at every step. Trusted by your neighbors and available 24/7, we are proud to serve the Irvine community with purpose and care as part of our Irvine personal injury practice.

$14,500,000 Premises Liability

Litigated and Settled

$4,800,000 Truck Accident

Litigated and Settled

$3,800,000 Truck Accident

Litigated and Settled

$2,350,000 Truck Accident

Litigated and Settled

$1,400,000 Premises Liability

Litigated and Settled

$1,000,000 Premises Liability

Litigated and Settled

$350,000 Car Accident

Litigated and Settled

Prior Drunk Driving Accident Cases Litigated in Irvine California