You know when it’s Super Bowl Sunday. Game time means packed watch parties, busy roads, and late-night traffic across the city. But when celebrations involve alcohol, speeding, or drivers who should not have been behind the wheel, serious crashes can bring all the fun to an end.
If you were hurt in a DUI accident, a San Jose car accident lawyer from our firm can explain what comes next, how fault for the crash is handled, and what legal options California law allows drunk driving victims to pursue.
Many people do not realize that DUI crashes linked to major events can be more complicated, with insurance issues and criminal cases happening at the same time as injury claims. We can provide advocacy for drunk driving victims to protect their rights.
Why Are There More DUI Crashes After the Super Bowl?
Serious injury crashes tend to increase in the hours after the Super Bowl ends. Traffic patterns across the area help explain why this happens.
Drivers can make several bad choices in a short time. In many cases, they:
- Drink more than they intended during a long game or an extended gathering
- Leave right after the final play, leading to heavier traffic and less space between vehicles
- Take routes they don‘t know, missing traffic signals, taking late turns, or making sudden lane changes
- Ignore warning signs that they shouldn’t drive, such as tiredness, slower reaction times, and low attention
It is also common for these crashes to occur late at night, when it’s harder to see in the dark and traffic enforcement is increased.
Various Factors Make DUI Crash Cases Legally Complex
DUI accident claims involve more than a basic crash report. Alcohol use changes how fault, damages, and insurance coverage are handled.
Criminal DUI Cases and Injury Claims Move on Separate Tracks
A drunk driver may face arrest and prosecution, but that case focuses on punishment and public safety. An injury claim focuses on the harm done to you.
The two cases connect, yet they do not depend on each other. An injury claim can move forward even if the criminal case takes months or ends without a conviction.
Insurance Companies Can Challenge Claims Early
Insurers know DUI cases can lead to higher payouts to crash victims. As a result, they may:
- Question the crash’s cause: Adjusters may argue another factor played a role.
- Delay recorded statements: Time can work against injured people waiting for answers.
- Disagreeover the severity of the injury: They may note gaps in treatment or pre-existing issues to avoid paying the claim.
- Challenge coverage limits: Some policies have exclusions or lower limits tied to criminal acts.
These tactics can complicate an already stressful situation. Our personal injury lawyer serving San Jose can protect your rights and manage communication with the insurance company on your behalf.
(310) 526-8383Who Can Be Held Liable for a Super Bowl Drunk Driving Crash?
In most cases, the driver who was drunk or impaired bears responsibility for the crash. However, others may be responsible, too, depending on how the collision occurred.
This can include a vehicle owner who allowed an impaired person to drive, or a business or host in limited situations involving alcohol served to minors. Employers may also be involved when a crash happens during work-related activities or while using a company vehicle.
Figuring this out requires carefully reviewing records, witness accounts, and other details related to the accident.
Drunk Driving Victims Have Rights After a DUI Crash in California
Drunk driving victims may seek damages for losses tied to the crash, including medical care, lost income, and pain related to their injuries.
Some DUI accidents may involve punitive damages. Courts can consider these rare damages only in limited situations tied to reckless behavior.
How Federal Laws May Also Apply
Federal rules sometimes apply when a crash involves a commercial driver, an out-of-state vehicle, or a rideshare trip. These rules often relate to safety requirements, insurance coverage, or interstate travel.
Lawsuits must be filed within set legal deadlines. Missing that deadline can prevent the case from moving forward.
What if the Drunk Driver Did Not Have Insurance?
If the drunk driver does not have insurance, other coverage may still apply. This can include uninsured motorist coverage on your policy or coverage tied to the vehicle owner.
In some cases, additional policies may apply, depending on how the crash happened and who else was involved.
(310) 526-8383Our Car Crash Lawyer Can Lead Your Claim While You Recover
We can help injured people deal with the legal side of DUI crashes while they focus on healing. Our injury team can:
- Go over police records to see how impairment was documented and when tests occurred
- Check video and witness accounts to confirm how the crash unfolded
- Track insurance coverage across all policies tied to the driver and vehicle
- Organize medical records to show how injuries affected daily life and recovery
- Prepare cases for court when we cannot resolve insurance claims outside of court
If suing for damages becomes necessary, you have a limited time to take action in civil court. Under CCP § 335.1, you generally have two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
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(310) 526-8383 What to Do After a Super Bowl DUI Accident in California
After a DUI crash, injured people can take these steps if they want to protect their health, claim, and future:
- Seek medical care from a hospital or urgent care center as soon as possible, even if symptoms feel mild or you don’t feel any pain.
- Follow the doctor’s treatment plans so your records reflect ongoing care needs.
- Save important documents such as discharge papers, bills, and prescriptions.
- Avoid recorded statements with insurers before getting legal advice.
- Keep a short written or video journal so you can note your pain levels, missed work, and daily limits since the crash.
When it comes to proving fault, no detail is too small in these cases. Our team can help collect and review the information needed to understand what happened.
Injured in a DUI Crash After the Super Bowl? Call Omega Law Group
After a DUI crash tied to a big game, people are often left juggling medical care, damaged vehicles, missed paychecks, and insurance paperwork that moves slowly or stalls. These situations can feel harder to manage when they happen late at night or after traveling home from an event.
Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys puts clients first. Our team stays in touch, explains what is happening, and handles the legal work with care so you aren’t left guessing about next steps.
You are more than a case to us. Let our family take care of your family. Call us today for a free consultation.
