Modesto Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

$350 Million Recovered. Fighting for Modesto Drunk Driving Victims Since 1989.

Modesto ranks second in California for alcohol-involved accidents per the California Office of Traffic Safety, and the consequences play out on city streets and along the Highway 99 corridor every year. If a drunk driver injured you or someone in your family, the Law Offices of Steven A. Fabbro can help you pursue the full compensation California law allows. We’ve recovered more than $350 million for personal injury clients over more than 35 years of practice, and Steven Fabbro holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, a distinction held by fewer than 5% of attorneys nationally.

We represent clients on a contingency-fee basis. There are no upfront legal fees, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultations are available to anyone who wants to understand their options.

Call us today at (415) 275-3008 to schedule your free consultation. We can evaluate your drunk driving accident case at no cost and no obligation.

Why Choose Our Firm for a Modesto Drunk Driving Accident Case

Insurance companies assigned to defend drunk drivers still work aggressively to minimize payouts. Even when liability looks clear, they routinely dispute injury severity or future medical costs. Our track record of verdicts and settlements reaching into the millions tells those insurers something important: we try cases when negotiations fail. That trial readiness can shape the settlement offers we receive.

Steven Fabbro handles cases personally rather than passing them to junior staff. He is recognized by Northern California Super Lawyers and brings more than 35 years of personal injury experience to every DUI accident claim. Our firm operates at a boutique level while taking on large corporations and insurance carriers, which means clients get direct access to the attorney managing their case at every significant stage.

What You Can Recover in a Civil Drunk Driving Claim

A civil claim against a drunk driver can pursue a broader range of compensation than many victims realize. Recoverable damages in California typically include:

• Medical expenses: Past treatment costs and projected future care needs
• Lost income: Wages missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity going forward
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident
• Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Wrongful death losses: For surviving family members, compensation can include loss of companionship, household services, and future income

Drunk driving cases also carry the possibility of punitive damages under California Civil Code Section 3294. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for conduct proven by clear and convincing evidence to be malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent. Because driving under the influence can meet that standard, this category of damages distinguishes drunk driving claims from ordinary negligence cases and can meaningfully affect the value of a claim. Even when a drunk driver’s insurance policy limits are low, we can investigate underinsured motorist coverage and other potential sources of recovery.

Your Civil Claim Is Separate from the Criminal Case

When a drunk driver causes an accident, the state may prosecute them criminally for DUI, with consequences including fines, jail time, and license suspension. That criminal proceeding is entirely separate from your civil personal injury claim, and you don’t need to wait for it to conclude before pursuing compensation.

California’s civil burden of proof is preponderance of the evidence, a lower standard than the criminal “beyond a reasonable doubt” requirement. A driver who is acquitted of the DUI charge, or whose case results in a no contest plea, can still be held liable in a civil lawsuit. A no contest plea generally can’t be used as an admission of fault in the civil proceeding, but other evidence of intoxication, including BAC test results and police reports, can be introduced.

Don’t wait for the criminal case to resolve. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If a government entity such as Caltrans is a potentially liable party, the deadline to file a government tort claim is six months from the date of injury. Consulting a Modesto drunk driving accident attorney early can help protect your ability to act.