Do I Need a Lawyer If a Drunk Driver Hit Me in Sherman Oaks?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Being hit by a drunk driver in Sherman Oaks is not just a car accident claim: it is a situation where you may be entitled to significantly more compensation than a typical personal injury case. California law allows drunk driving accident victims to pursue punitive damages on top of compensatory damages, and an attorney who understands this distinction can dramatically affect the outcome of your claim.

Yes, You Need a Lawyer After a DUI Accident in Sherman Oaks

Here is why:

• Punitive damages may be available. California allows punitive damages in cases involving malice, oppression, or fraud. Drunk driving is generally considered sufficiently reckless to support a punitive damage claim, which can multiply the value of your case far beyond your actual losses.
• The civil and criminal cases run in parallel. A drunk driver arrested after a Sherman Oaks crash may face criminal prosecution through the LA County District Attorney's office. A criminal conviction or guilty plea is powerful evidence in your civil case. Your attorney will monitor and coordinate with the criminal proceeding.
• The driver's insurer will fight the claim. Even in DUI cases, insurance companies push back on high-value claims and will challenge injury severity, causation, and damages. You need an experienced advocate.
• Dram shop liability may apply. If the drunk driver was over-served at a bar or restaurant on Ventura Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, or elsewhere in Sherman Oaks, that establishment may share liability under California dram shop theories.

What Happens After LAPD or CHP Responds to a DUI Crash

If the crash happened on a local Sherman Oaks street, LAPD Van Nuys Division will respond. If it was on the 101 or 405, CHP handles the scene. Officers will conduct a DUI investigation, which may include field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. If the driver is arrested, a police report will document the arrest and the evidence of intoxication.

This report, along with the criminal case proceedings, provides critical evidence for your civil claim. Your attorney will obtain all available law enforcement records and monitor the criminal case for testimony or admissions that benefit your civil recovery.

What Injuries Are Most Common in Sherman Oaks DUI Crashes?

Drunk drivers often crash at higher speeds, run red lights, or drive the wrong way, producing more severe impact than typical accidents. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple fractures
• Severe internal injuries

If you required care at Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd or a trauma center, your medical records from those facilities are central to your claim.

Compensation in a DUI Accident Case

Beyond standard medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, DUI accident victims may recover:

• Punitive damages from the drunk driver
• Dram shop damages from the establishment that overserved the driver
• Enhanced pain and suffering damages reflecting the intentional and reckless nature of the harm

Contact a Sherman Oaks drunk driver accident lawyer at L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks today. Our free consultation will help you understand every dollar you are entitled to recover.