Your Ventura Car Accident Questions Answered: “I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver But I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt. Am I Out of Luck When it Comes to Recovering Any Compensation for My Car Accident Injuries in Ventura?”
There is no question that for most Ventura car accident victims who have been seriously injured by an intoxicated driver, being hit by a drunk driver is a traumatic and potentially life-changing event. Indeed, Ventura drunk driving car accident victims are often left with severe injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens, ranging from medical bills to lost income. But what happens if a Ventura drunk driving car accident victim was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash? To help Ventura car accident victims better understand this complex question, we discuss California’s comparative fault system and where you can turn for legal help in Ventura after a serious DUI car accident occurs.
The Basics of California Law – Failure to Wear a Seatbelt
At the outset, it is important for Ventura DUI car accident victims to understand the potential impact of not wearing a seat belt on their legal claims. Under the California Vehicle Code, drivers and passengers in Ventura are required to wear seatbelts while a vehicle is in motion. As such, failing to wear a seatbelt can result in a traffic citation. However, the fact that a Ventura DUI car accident victim violated the seatbelt law does not automatically mean they are barred from recovering compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
California’s Pure Comparative Negligence System
It is important for Ventura drunk driving car accident victims – particularly those who were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, or who may have contributed in part to the accident or causing their own injuries – to know that California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means that if you are injured in a serious DUI car accident, the compensation you can recover may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault for the accident and/or your injuries. If you were hit by a drunk driver and you were not wearing a seatbelt, while the drunk driver may be found negligent for causing the collision, the DUI driver’s insurance company and/or lawyers may argue that your injuries were not caused by their insured’s conduct and/or that you were comparatively negligent in causing your injuries, which may result in a reduction of your total compensation.
Getting Legal Help in Ventura – Ventura Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a serious drunk driving car accident and you need legal help getting compensation, contact the experienced Ventura drunk driving accident lawyers at Zavala Law, PC. The experienced Ventura drunk driving accident lawyers at Zavala Law, PC are here to help victims of serious drunk driving car accidents get justice. Contact Zavala Law, PC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
