Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Santa Clarita

Over 20 Years Fighting for Drunk Driving Accident Victims in the Santa Clarita Valley

A drunk driving crash changes everything in an instant. The injuries are often severe, the medical bills accumulate fast, and the at-fault driver’s insurer is already working to limit what you recover. At Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser, Robert J. Kaiser brings over 20 years of personal injury experience to DUI accident victims throughout Santa Clarita and the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley. He’s been named Best Personal Injury Attorney by the Santa Clarita Signal Newspaper multiple times, and when you retain this firm, you work directly with him, not a paralegal or a case manager.

Your civil claim against a drunk driver is entirely separate from any criminal case the state pursues. Even if the driver is never convicted or charges are reduced, you can still pursue compensation for what happened to you. Victims on Santa Clarita roads, including the busy I-5 and SR-14 corridors, can recover for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Consultations are free, and there’s no fee unless we recover for you.

If you or a family member was injured by a drunk driver in Santa Clarita, call Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser today at (661) 441-3446 to speak directly with Robert J. Kaiser in a free consultation.

What Compensation Is Available After a DUI Accident in California?

Drunk driving accident claims in California can reach categories of compensation that ordinary car accident cases cannot. Because driving under the influence is treated as conduct beyond ordinary negligence, California courts may award punitive damages in DUI civil cases. These damages are not meant to compensate the victim, but to punish the at-fault driver’s reckless conduct. That distinction matters when evaluating the full value of your claim.

Compensable losses in a Santa Clarita drunk driving accident case typically include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and projected future care costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity: Income you’ve lost and earning potential reduced by your injuries
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, and anxiety resulting from the crash
• Property damage: Vehicle repair or replacement and related costs
• Punitive damages: Available in California DUI civil cases where the driver’s conduct warrants additional punishment

In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim covering funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. If the drunk driver carried no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy may provide a path to recovery. California’s pure comparative fault rule also means that even if you share some responsibility for the crash, your compensation is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated entirely.

Contact Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser today at (661) 441-3446 to schedule a free consultation.

How We Build a Drunk Driving Accident Case

Preserving evidence is one of the most important things an attorney can do in the days immediately following a DUI crash. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and toxicology records require prompt subpoena. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, but waiting until that deadline approaches leaves a case without its strongest evidence.

Investigation & Evidence Gathering

Robert J. Kaiser handles each case personally from intake through resolution. Building a strong DUI accident case typically involves obtaining the police report and any citations issued at the scene, securing toxicology results from the driver’s arrest, gathering witness statements, and, in complex situations, working with accident reconstruction professionals to establish exactly how the crash occurred.

Negotiation & Litigation

Insurance companies move quickly after a DUI crash, often making early contact with victims to gather recorded statements or extend low settlement offers before the full scope of injuries is known. Having legal representation from the outset shifts that dynamic. We negotiate with insurers on your behalf, and when a fair resolution isn’t reached, we pursue your claim through litigation.

In some severe injury cases, there may also be potential claims against third parties. California’s dram shop rules are narrowly drawn. An establishment’s liability generally arises only when alcohol is furnished to an obviously intoxicated minor, not to an impaired adult. Whether any third-party claim applies depends on the specific facts of your case, and Robert J. Kaiser can evaluate that during your consultation. Learn more about your options if you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries in a DUI crash.

Why Santa Clarita DUI Accident Victims Choose Robert J. Kaiser

Local court knowledge isn’t a marketing phrase. DUI accident cases in Santa Clarita can intersect with criminal proceedings at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, North Valley District. Familiarity with that court’s procedures, local law enforcement reporting practices, and the handling patterns of insurers operating in this market affects how efficiently and effectively a case moves forward.

Robert J. Kaiser has represented injury victims in this community for more than two decades and has been named Best Personal Injury Attorney by the Santa Clarita Signal Newspaper on multiple occasions. He participates in local events and collaborates with Santa Clarita charities because this is where he practices and where his clients live. That rootedness means he can respond quickly, communicate with local agencies without friction, and give each client the direct, personal attention that larger regional firms may not provide. No two DUI accidents produce the same injuries, the same insurance picture, or the same path to recovery, which is why Robert J. Kaiser reviews your situation, develops a strategy specific to your case, and remains your point of contact throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Legal Consequences for a Drunk Driver in California, & How Does a Criminal Case Affect My Civil Claim?

California DUI convictions carry fines, license suspension, mandatory education programs, and potential jail time depending on the offense. Your civil claim is legally separate from the criminal proceeding. A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil case, but a not-guilty verdict in criminal court doesn’t prevent you from recovering compensation. The burden of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal cases, so the two outcomes can differ.

Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault in the Drunk Driving Accident?

Yes. California follows a pure comparative fault system, which means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. If you’re found 15% responsible for the crash, you recover 85% of your total damages. This rule applies even when the other driver was impaired. Robert J. Kaiser works to document the drunk driver’s conduct thoroughly to minimize any fault attributed to you and preserve the value of your recovery.

How Do I Get Started with a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Santa Clarita?

Call Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser at (661) 441-3446 to schedule a free consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you pay no fee unless we recover on your behalf. You’ll speak directly with Robert J. Kaiser, who can review the details of your crash, explain your options, and outline what pursuing a claim would involve. The sooner you reach out, the better positioned we are to secure the evidence your case needs.

Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Santa Clarita Today

DUI accident victims in Santa Clarita deserve an attorney who knows this community, handles their case personally, and works to recover compensation available under the law. At Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser, that’s exactly what Robert J. Kaiser provides.

Call (661) 441-3446 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation. There’s no fee unless we recover for you.