If you or a loved one injured by a drunk or impaired driver in Los Angeles or Southern California, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Law Offices of Mann & Elias represents Drunk Driving Accident victims throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation: (323) 301-3219. Our personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case and start fighting for your recovery immediately.
California Law: Drunk Driving Accident Cases
California law allows drunk driving accident victims to pursue both compensatory damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering) and punitive damages against intoxicated drivers. Punitive damages are designed to punish particularly reckless conduct and can significantly increase your total recovery. Additionally, dram shop liability may allow you to pursue the establishment that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated driver.
Drunk Driving Accident in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know
DUI accidents in Los Angeles cause some of the most serious and preventable injuries on California roads. Late-night and early-morning hours on the 405, PCH, Sunset Boulevard, and Hollywood corridors see a disproportionate number of DUI collisions. A criminal DUI conviction against the driver strengthens your civil case significantly — though you do not need to wait for criminal proceedings to pursue your civil claim.
Award-Winning Southern California Personal Injury Attorneys
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias has recovered over $50 million for injured clients throughout Southern California. When you hire us, you get attorneys with credentials that insurance companies and opposing counsel take seriously:
- Imad Elias — Named to Super Lawyers every year from 2015–2026 (12 consecutive years); AVVO Rating 10.0 Superb (highest possible rating); President of the Armenian-American Lawyers Association of Southern California (AALASC); member of CELA and CAALA
- Scott Mann — Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an elite credential awarded only to experienced civil trial attorneys; Pepperdine University School of Law (Law Review, top 10%); Vincent Dalsimer Moot Court Champion
Our verdicts and settlements range from $103,000 to over $5.2 million. We take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to pay fair value — and we win.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. No upfront costs, no hourly fees, no financial risk. We advance all litigation expenses — investigations, expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, court filing fees — and recover them only if we obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor. Call (323) 301-3219 anytime, 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a drunk driver even if they were not convicted of DUI?
Yes. A criminal DUI conviction is not required to pursue a civil personal injury claim. The civil standard of proof (preponderance of evidence) is lower than the criminal standard (beyond a reasonable doubt). Even if the driver was not charged, refused a breathalyzer, or was acquitted, you can still pursue full compensation for your injuries with the help of an experienced attorney.
Are punitive damages available in drunk driving accident cases in California?
Yes. California Civil Code § 3294 allows punitive damages in personal injury cases where the defendant’s conduct was malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent. Courts have found that driving under the influence constitutes the “conscious disregard for others’ safety” required for punitive damages. Punitive damages can substantially increase your total recovery beyond economic and non-economic damages.
Related Practice Areas & Locations
- Personal Injury Hub
- Car Accident Attorney
- Wrongful Death
- Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyer
- Downtown Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer
- Santa Monica Personal Injury Lawyer
Injured in Los Angeles? Don’t wait. Contact the Law Offices of Mann & Elias at (323) 301-3219 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
