Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Palm Springs

Over 40 Years Fighting for DUI Crash Victims. More Than $84 Million Recovered.

A drunk driving crash changes everything in an instant. If you or a family member has been injured by an impaired driver on a Coachella Valley road, you have the right to pursue civil compensation entirely separate from whatever happens in the driver’s criminal case. At Barry Regar APLC, we’ve spent more than 40 years handling personal injury claims in Palm Springs and the surrounding communities, recovering more than $84 million for injured clients. We handle drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Your civil claim doesn’t wait for a criminal conviction. Evidence from these crashes: police reports, blood alcohol concentration test results, toxicology records, and witness statements, can disappear quickly. The sooner you contact us, the better positioned we are to preserve what matters and build a strong case on your behalf.

If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident in Palm Springs, contact Barry Regar APLC at (760) 440-5643 without delay.

Why Palm Springs Victims Choose Barry Regar APLC

Choosing a drunk driving accident attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make after a crash. Here’s what sets us apart.

Verified Track Record
We’ve recovered more than $84 million for accident victims over four decades of practice, including multimillion-dollar results against automakers, hospitals, and government agencies. We regularly take on corporate and public entity defendants that many firms decline to challenge.

Elite Peer Recognition
Barry Regar APLC holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest available mark for legal ability and ethics. We’re members of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and carry a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. Palm Springs Life magazine has named us among the area’s Top Lawyers.

Personal Injury Focus
Our practice is dedicated to personal injury litigation. That concentrated focus lets us develop genuine depth in every case type we handle, including drunk driving accident claims, rather than spreading attention across unrelated areas of law.

Responsive, Personal Communication
Clients know who is handling their case. We return calls promptly, including after hours and on weekends. Our paralegals and support staff are known for their responsiveness, organization, and care. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening with your case.

Drunk Driving Crashes in Palm Springs & Riverside County

Impaired driving is a persistent problem throughout Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. In 2023, alcohol-impaired driving caused 1,355 deaths in California, 33% of all traffic fatalities statewide. Riverside County recorded 115 drunk driving fatalities that same year, second among Southern California counties. During the 2018–2022 period, impaired driving was a factor in 26% of crashes countywide.

These crashes frequently occur during nighttime hours, when impairment is more common and traffic enforcement is thinner. The injuries are often devastating: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, severe burns, and fatal injuries. Families are left managing medical crises and financial uncertainty at the same time. That’s exactly the situation our firm exists to address.

Legal Options for Drunk Driving Accident Victims in California

California law gives drunk driving accident victims multiple avenues for recovery. Understanding these options is the first step toward protecting your rights.

Personal Injury Claims

If you were injured by a drunk driver, you can file a civil claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We investigate the accident, gather and preserve evidence, and negotiate aggressively with the insurer. When a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re prepared to take the case to trial. Victims may recover economic damages: medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60, spouses, domestic partners, children, and certain other eligible family members of a crash victim may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the emotional loss the family has suffered. We approach these cases with the seriousness and care they demand.

Punitive Damages Under California Civil Code 3294

California Civil Code 3294 allows courts to award punitive damages when a defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. In drunk driving cases, a high blood alcohol concentration is one factor courts and juries may weigh when evaluating whether punitive damages are appropriate. These damages are separate from and in addition to compensatory damages, and they exist to punish egregious conduct and deter future misconduct. We evaluate whether punitive damages are a realistic option in your case and pursue them where the facts support it.

Third-Party Liability

Liability in some drunk driving cases extends beyond the driver. If the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the crash, their employer may also bear liability. California’s dram shop liability is more limited than in many other states, but cases involving alcohol served to an obviously intoxicated minor may still give rise to third-party claims. We examine every potential source of liability to build the most complete case possible.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Palm Springs

The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash directly affect the strength of your legal claim. Here’s what we recommend:

• Call 911 immediately. A police report is essential evidence in a drunk driving civil claim. Officers will document their observations, any field sobriety test results, and BAC records if a test was administered.
• Get medical attention promptly. Some injuries from high-impact crashes, including traumatic brain injuries and internal damage, don’t produce obvious symptoms right away. A medical evaluation creates a record and protects your health.
• Document the scene. Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible signs of impairment. Collect names and contact information for witnesses before they leave.
• Request the police report. It will include officer observations and may contain BAC test results and toxicology records.
• Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims. Early statements can be used against you. Speak with an attorney first.
• Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer promptly. California’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims starts running from the date of the accident. Critical evidence can disappear quickly.

Speak with a Palm Springs Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today

After a drunk driving crash, you shouldn’t have to navigate insurance companies, legal deadlines, and medical recovery on your own. Barry Regar APLC handles the legal complexity so you can focus on healing. We offer consultations for drunk driving accident victims in Palm Springs and work on a contingency fee basis: no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We’re available after hours and on weekends and return messages quickly.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving a drunk driver in Palm Springs, contact Barry Regar APLC at (760) 440-5643 without delay.