Bianca Babaians
Being injured by a drunk driver in Bakersfield is not the same as a standard car accident claim. When a DUI is involved, the legal options available to you are broader, the potential compensation is higher, and the evidence that exists in the immediate aftermath of the crash can significantly increase the total value of your recovery. Babaians Law Firm’s Bakersfield drunk driving accident lawyers understand exactly how to build these cases to maximize what you recover, using the criminal record, toxicology evidence, and prior offense history that separates a DUI injury claim from an ordinary collision.
Drunk driving is a significant and persistent problem in Kern County. Highway 99 late at night, the stretches of road connecting Bakersfield’s entertainment districts to residential areas, and the rural routes where agricultural and oil field workers travel after long shifts all see elevated DUI-related crash rates. When one of those crashes injures you, California law provides a specific set of legal tools that do not apply in standard negligence cases.
Punitive Damages Are Available
In a standard car accident, you can recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and related compensatory damages. When the at-fault driver was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash, California law allows you to pursue punitive damages on top of those compensatory amounts. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for especially reckless conduct and are calculated separately from your actual losses. They can substantially increase the total value of your claim.
The Criminal Case Creates Usable Evidence
When a Bakersfield drunk driver is arrested at the scene or shortly after a crash, the criminal case that follows generates evidence that is directly useful in your civil personal injury claim. The arrest report, breathalyzer and blood alcohol test results, field sobriety test documentation, and any prior DUI conviction records are all materials Babaians Law Firm obtains and uses to build the strongest possible civil case on your behalf.
Dram Shop Liability May Apply
California’s dram shop law allows injury victims to pursue claims against the bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment that served alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person who later caused an accident. If the drunk driver who hit you was served at a Bakersfield establishment despite being visibly intoxicated, that business may share liability for your injuries. Babaians Law Firm investigates dram shop liability in every DUI crash case where the facts support it.
The strength of a drunk driving injury claim depends heavily on the evidence secured in the hours and days following the crash. Babaians Law Firm moves immediately to preserve and obtain:
Review what you should never say to an insurance adjuster after a California accident before speaking to any insurance representative following a DUI crash. The at-fault driver’s insurer will attempt to minimize their exposure even when liability is clear.
A key question in every Bakersfield DUI accident case is whether the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance covers a DUI-related crash. In California, standard auto liability policies are generally required to cover accidents caused by intoxicated drivers, but the insurer will still dispute the value of your claim aggressively to limit their payout.
If the at-fault driver was uninsured or their coverage is insufficient to compensate you fully, your own uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Babaians Law Firm reviews all available coverage on every DUI case to ensure no source of compensation is missed.
Babaians Law Firm pursues the full range of damages available to DUI accident victims in Bakersfield, including:
The 2026 changes to California personal injury law may also affect how punitive damages and non-economic damages are calculated in your specific case.
Drunk drivers in Bakersfield cause disproportionate harm to vulnerable road users. Motorcycle accident victims hit by drunk drivers and pedestrian accident victims struck at crosswalks or road shoulders are among the most seriously injured in these cases. The absence of structural protection for riders and pedestrians means DUI crashes in these categories frequently result in catastrophic injuries.
Babaians Law Firm handles DUI accident cases across all vehicle types and victim categories throughout Kern County. For a broader look at the personal injury practice areas we handle, visit our practice page.
Babaians Law Firm’s Bakersfield drunk driving accident lawyers know how to use the unique evidence available in DUI cases to build claims that recover significantly more than a standard car accident settlement. From pursuing punitive damages to investigating dram shop liability to tracking prior offense records, we build a complete picture of the drunk driver’s recklessness and present it in a way that maximizes your total recovery.
We serve injured clients throughout Kern County and across California. Visit our Bakersfield personal injury page for more on how we represent injury victims in this region. Babaians Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
Contact Babaians Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation with a Bakersfield drunk driving accident lawyer.
In some circumstances, yes. California’s dram shop law allows injury claims against licensed establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash. Babaians Law Firm investigates dram shop liability in every applicable DUI case.
A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil personal injury claim. The arrest report, BAC results, and field sobriety documentation from the night of the crash are sufficient to establish intoxication in a civil case. Criminal and civil cases run on separate legal tracks.
Punitive damages are awarded on top of compensatory damages when the defendant’s conduct is found to be particularly reckless or malicious. Driving while legally intoxicated generally satisfies this standard. The amount is determined by the jury based on the severity of the conduct and the defendant’s ability to pay.
If the at-fault driver’s coverage is insufficient, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Babaians Law Firm reviews all available coverage on every case. See our guide on what happens if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver in California for details.
Generally two years from the date of the accident. See the full California personal injury statute of limitations guide for complete details.
We take on fewer cases to give every client the focus they deserve. Unlike high-volume firms where cases get lost in the shuffle, we prioritize quality over quantity, delivering the attention and results your case deserves. Experience the difference with our dedicated team.
Great female led personal injury firm with good results and settlements. I highly recommend this law firm for personal injury related matters in Los Angeles and California in general.