When a drunk driver makes the reckless decision to get behind the wheel and causes an accident, life changes in a fraction of a second for everyone involved. Our team at Glotzer & Leib LLP fights to hold intoxicated drivers fully responsible when they cause serious harm to innocent people on Los Angeles County roads.
If an impaired driver hurt you or caused the death of your family member, hiring a Burbank drunk driving accident lawyer gives you a strong advocate to seek full financial recovery. You can discuss your options during a free consultation by calling us at 747-241-8288.
Drunk driving collisions differ fundamentally from typical traffic crashes. While a standard vehicle collision often stems from simple inattention or poor judgment, impaired driving involves a conscious choice to violate California criminal laws and put public safety at risk.
Civil claims against drunk drivers carry distinct legal angles, potential sources of financial recovery, and specific evidentiary requirements that demand prompt attention.
Our firm brings more than 50 years of collective legal experience to every case we handle. Through decades of work in local courts, we understand how to build powerful cases that hold drunk drivers and their insurance carriers accountable.
For example, our office secured $1.6 million for an auto accident client after a devastating crash, along with a $2.8 million recovery in a commercial truck accident case.
When you choose to work with our firm, you gain a legal team recognized by Super Lawyers as a Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, and honored with inclusion in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Clients also rate our legal services with a superb 10.0 score on Avvo.
A civil injury lawsuit against an impaired driver operates separately from the criminal proceedings brought by state prosecutors. While the state files criminal charges to punish drivers and protect the public, your civil personal injury claim focuses entirely on securing financial support for the injuries, lost income, and long-term costs you face.
You do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to file a civil claim, though evidence from the police investigation often strengthens your civil lawsuit.
The legal process uses specific concepts to prove liability and secure financial recovery:
California law allows victims of drunk drivers to seek broad financial recovery. Drivers who operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs display a conscious disregard for human life.
This legal standard opens the door for punitive damages under California Civil Code Section 3294, which allows courts to award financial penalties above and beyond standard medical costs and lost earnings.
Proving that alcohol or drugs caused a crash requires immediate, thorough evidence collection before key facts disappear. Intoxicated drivers sometimes attempt to hide their state of impairment, or insurance representatives try to claim that outside factors caused the collision.
Our legal team moves quickly to preserve vital evidence from multiple local sources:
Sometimes, gathering this evidence requires formal legal demands or subpoenas issued through the civil court system. Acting quickly ensures that video recordings are not overwritten and witness memories stay fresh.
Hiring a focused personal injury attorney ensures that insurance companies treat your claim fairly and pay the full value of your losses. Insurance adjusters work for big corporations, and their primary goal is protecting corporate profits by offering the lowest possible settlement.
An attorney protects your interests, calculates the true lifetime cost of your injuries, and prevents insurers from taking advantage of you during a stressful period.
Consider what one of our former clients shared about their experience working with our firm:
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
Another client shared how our approach provided peace of mind throughout their case:
“Josh is very understanding and was sympathetic to my needs as a client. His exceptional understanding of the law was only preceded by his steadfast code of ethics. During our work together I always had a feeling of inviolability and felt that we were heading towards an optimistic outcome.”
Our attorneys step between you and the insurance companies so you can spend your energy regaining your health and rebuilding your routine. We handle all communications, gather documentation, consult medical experts, and prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
Contact us now at 747-241-8288 for a free consultation on how we can help you hold the drunk driver accountable and obtain full compensation.
Victims of drunk drivers often face sudden, unexpected money pressures due to hospital stays, missed paychecks, and lingering physical discomfort. California civil law permits injured parties to seek financial recovery for all concrete financial losses and non-monetary harm caused by a collision.
Financial recovery generally falls into two primary categories: economic losses and non-economic losses. Economic losses cover tangible expenses that come with receipts or invoices, such as ambulance fees, emergency surgery, follow-up medical care, physical therapy, prescription medication, and future medical needs.
They also cover lost wage income, reduced earning capacity, and property damage repairs. Non-economic losses compensate you for physical pain, mental distress, permanent scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life.
When gross negligence or malicious conduct occurs, judges and juries may also award punitive damages. These damages send a clear message to the community that driving while impaired will bring severe financial consequences.
California enforces a strict deadline for personal injury claims, known as the statute of limitations. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you generally have two years from the exact date of the drunk driving crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Missing this legal deadline almost always means losing your right to recover financial money from the responsible party.
Exceptions to this general rule exist, but they are quite rare. If a drunk driving accident involved a government vehicle, public bus, or state employee, California law requires you to submit a formal administrative claim within just six months of the crash.
Starting the legal process early allows your legal team to conduct a thorough investigation, interview witnesses while details remain fresh, and file all paperwork accurately.
Taking smart steps right after a crash protects both your physical well-being and your future legal rights. Intoxicated drivers can be unpredictable or aggressive, so safety remains the top priority.
Follow these practical guidelines if you are involved in a collision with a suspected drunk driver:
California maintains very strict and specific laws regarding dram shop liability, which is the legal term for holding businesses responsible for serving alcohol to people who later cause accidents. Under California Civil Code Section 1714, businesses, bars, restaurants, and social hosts are generally protected from liability when an adult guest drinks alcohol and causes an injury crash.
However, California law contains one vital exception to this rule. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 25602.1, a commercial establishment can be held financially responsible if it knowingly serves alcohol to an obviously intoxicated minor under 21 years of age, and that minor subsequently causes a drunk driving crash.
Demonstrating that a business knew a minor was under age and visibly drunk requires fast action, detailed witness testimony, and surveillance footage.
You can still recover financial compensation through your own vehicle policy if you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This insurance coverage steps in to pay for your medical treatment, lost income, and personal harm up to the limits of your policy.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee structure, which means you pay no upfront legal fees or out-of-pocket costs to hire us. We only collect legal fees if we successfully resolve your case through a negotiated settlement or courtroom verdict.
California follows an implied consent law, meaning drivers automatically agree to chemical testing by operating a vehicle on state roads. Refusing a test leads to immediate driver license suspension, and prosecutors can use that refusal in court as evidence of consciousness of guilt.
Yes, you can still pursue a civil lawsuit because civil cases use a lower burden of proof than criminal cases. Criminal courts require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while civil courts only require a preponderance of the evidence to prove liability.
Living with the consequences of an impaired driver’s choice creates immense physical pain and financial stress. The team at Glotzer & Leib LLP understands what you are going through, and we stand ready to aggressively protect your legal rights. As Burbank drunk driving accident attorneys, we possess the practical skills and dedication required to pursue the maximum financial settlement you deserve.
Do not let an insurance company diminish the value of your injury claim or pressure you into accepting less than you deserve. Contact a skilled drunk driving accident lawyer in Burbank today to discuss your rights and begin building your case. Call Glotzer & Leib LLP at 747-241-8288 for your free, no-obligation consultation.
GLOTZER & LEIB, LLP 1023 N Hollywood Way Ste 202, Burbank, CA 91505
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
