Every Orange County DUI Death is a Wrongful Death: Families Who Lose a Loved One to Drunk Driver Have Rights.

If you’ve been injured in or lost a love one in an Orange County drunk driving crash, you may feel angry. That is a reasonable way to feel – after all, you lost a loved one because of someone else’s irresponsible behavior. That shouldn’t have happened.

California state law agrees. Every Orange County drunk driving accident is a preventable accident. It would not have occurred had the driver not behaved with disregard for the lives and safety of others. California law allows those who have lost a loved one to a drunk driver to pursue a wrongful death claim and receive compensation and accountability for the loss of their loved one.

A wrongful death lawsuit allows the families of Orange County DUI accident victims to seek compensation for any accident-related damages including medical bills, medical treatment, burial costs, lost wages, lost support and the pain and suffering experienced by the victim before his death. These kind of damages are called compensatory damages because they compensate the victim for their loss.

But, the law allows families to seek punitive damages for their loss. Punitive damages are designed as a punishment for wrongful behavior and are meant to teach a lesson or discourage future wrongful behavior. In California, punitive damages may be awarded when a driver shows indifference or reckless disregard of the health or safety of others. Drunk driving is one example.

A family has the right to file a California wrongful death lawsuit even if the drunk driver is facing criminal charges for the accident.

If you have lost a loved one in an Orange County drunk driving accident, you have truly suffered a tragic loss. The California accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie can help you get the accountability you deserve. To learn more about the rights of accident victims or to discuss your own claim, contact Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie to schedule a free consultation with a Newport Beach DUI injury lawyer.

For more information about Orange County accident claims, request our free book: "7 Mistakes That Could Sabotage Your Accident Claim."