When an impaired driver gets behind the wheel and heads down a busy stretch like Blue Oaks Boulevard, they aren’t just making a mistake. They’re showing a conscious disregard for the lives of everyone sharing the road. In a split second, a normal commute turns into a high-stakes medical and legal crisis. At Gingery Hammer & Associates, we don’t view these as mere accidents. We view them as preventable acts of negligence that require a relentless guardian to ensure the victim isn’t victimized a second time by an insurance company.
The Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend
The moment a drunk driver causes a crash, the insurance carrier for the at-fault party goes into damage control mode. Their primary goal is to settle the claim for as little as possible before you realize the true extent of your injuries. We’ve seen adjusters offer “insult” settlements of $16,500 for cases that ultimately settle for $1,000,000. They use your past medical history to devalue your pain, claiming a back injury from a high-impact collision was actually a pre-existing condition. We don’t accept these low-ball tactics. We push for full policy limits because personal injury is personal, not just physical.
Punitive Damages: The Muscle of the Law
In a standard car accident, you are typically limited to compensatory damages, which cover things like medical bills and lost wages. However, when alcohol is involved, California law allows us to pursue punitive damages. These are designed to punish the defendant and deter others from making the same reckless choices. Because punitive damages are generally not covered by insurance, they come directly from the driver’s pocket. We use the threat of these damages as a tactical trap during negotiations. If a carrier knows a jury might hit their client with a massive punitive award, they are often much more motivated to offer a fair settlement early on.
Reasonableness as a Strategic Methodology
We don’t just scream for justice; we engineer it using a clinical methodology of reasonableness. One of our most effective tools is the CCP 998 offer. We make a formal, fair offer to settle the case for a specific amount. If the defense rejects that offer and we beat that number at trial, the insurance company is hit with heavy penalties and is forced to pay our expert witness fees. This turns their “delay and deny” strategy into a financial liability for them. It’s a sophisticated way to force an adversary into fairness.
Why Specialization is Non-Negotiable
Not all attorneys are created equal. If you hire a generalist who handles a little bit of everything, you are leaving money on the table. DUI cases in Roseville involve unique layers of evidence, from toxicology reports to the “Duty of Care” standards expected of every driver. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury because the high-stakes litigation required to move a billion-dollar insurance carrier demands a specialist’s eye. We’ve handled over 1,000 cases, securing six and seven-figure results for families who were told their case wasn’t worth much.
Closure Through Litigation and Radical Transparency
The legal process shouldn’t be a mystery. We provide our clients with a direct line to their attorney and a guarantee of 24-hour callbacks. We understand that after a crash, you need more than just a lawyer; you need someone to handle the logistics of your recovery. Whether it’s arranging for handicap-accessible transportation or finding the right medical specialists, we shoulder the burden so you can focus on healing. Our “not a dime if we don’t win” policy ensures that you have access to elite legal muscle without any upfront financial risk.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by an impaired driver, you need a Roseville alcohol related accidents lawyer who knows the local Placer County courts and won’t back down from a fight. You deserve an advocate who understands that a broken leg for a local worker isn’t just a medical code—it’s a life-altering event. Don’t let a corporate adjuster dictate your future. You should consult a Roseville DUI injury specialist who has the record and the reputation to hold the responsible parties accountable.
At Gingery Hammer & Associates, we pride ourselves on being the sophisticated muscle that victims need when life feels like it’s spinning out of control. We provide the closure and the compensation necessary to move forward. Your recovery is personal to us, and we are ready to prove it.
