Getting hit by a drunk driver can be traumatic, overwhelming, and often life-changing. One careless decision by someone who should have known better can destroy a family’s sense of safety in seconds. The physical injuries are only part of it. There’s also the pain, the lost income, the fear of what recovery will look like, and the anger that someone else’s recklessness is now shaping your life.
Arizona law gives crash victims the right to take legal action against impaired drivers. That includes filing a civil lawsuit, recovering damages, and in certain cases, seeking punitive compensation that sends a message. But these cases aren’t simple. They demand speed, strategy, and a legal team that knows how to move when the evidence is still fresh. At Torgenson Law, we take that responsibility personally.
When someone is hurt by a drunk driver, there’s no time to wait. These aren’t fender benders. They’re high-impact collisions that leave victims in the hospital, out of work, and scrambling to make sense of what happened. Our team doesn’t drag its feet or pass these cases off to junior staff. We move fast because delays give the other side more time to protect themselves, not you.
We don’t see DUI crash victims as case numbers or intake forms. These are people who’ve been blindsided by reckless behavior and are suddenly facing months or years of physical and financial recovery. Our attorneys work closely with every client to understand how the crash affected their life, their family, and their future. That personal connection shapes everything we do, from how we investigate to how we negotiate.
In DUI cases, early action can make or break the outcome. Surveillance footage gets erased. Witnesses become harder to track down. Skid marks fade. Our firm doesn’t let that window close. We issue preservation letters, pull crash reports, and start building your case the moment you call. That speed is often what gives us the upper hand later because we’re not waiting for the other side to act first.
Yes, you deserve to recover your losses, but DUI crash cases are about more than money. They’re about accountability. They’re about making sure the drunk driver doesn’t walk away without consequence. And they’re about sending a message that people who put others in danger will be held responsible. We prepare every case with the goal of trial, because that’s what forces real outcomes. Insurance companies know that when we show up, we’re not bluffing.
Drunk driving crashes are different. The force, the randomness, and the emotional shock all hit harder than a typical collision. These wrecks don’t happen because of momentary distraction or bad luck, they happen because someone chose to get behind the wheel impaired. That choice turns a car into a weapon, and the results are often catastrophic.
Impaired drivers don’t brake in time. They don’t react to red lights. They drift into oncoming lanes. Most DUI crashes involve delayed reaction times, poor spatial judgment, and speeds that make serious injury almost inevitable. That combination creates violent impacts that cause far more damage than a typical accident.
DUI crashes often happen at night, in rural areas or on highways, where visibility is low and speeds are high. These aren’t slow collisions at an intersection, they’re head-on impacts, side swipes at 70 miles per hour, or rollovers on a dark stretch of road. The location and timing of these wrecks only add to their severity.
Many DUI crash victims end up with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crushed limbs, or internal bleeding. These are not injuries that heal in a few weeks. They require emergency surgeries, long hospital stays, and a total disruption to everyday life. And for some, the damage is permanent, changing how they work, walk, or care for their families.
There’s something uniquely devastating about knowing your injury wasn’t an accident. It was a choice made by someone who got behind the wheel drunk. That awareness adds an extra layer of trauma. Many victims report flashbacks, anxiety, and depression long after the physical wounds heal. They’re left not just trying to recover, but trying to understand why it happened at all.
Victims of DUI crashes in Arizona aren’t limited to what happens in a courtroom. Even if the driver faces criminal charges, you have a separate, independent right to file a civil claim. That civil case focuses on your losses—your medical bills, your income, your pain—and seeks compensation that’s often far beyond what a criminal sentence can provide.
The drunk driver doesn’t have to be found guilty in criminal court for you to pursue a civil case. Civil lawsuits operate on a lower standard of proof, meaning it’s enough to show that the driver was more likely than not to have been impaired and caused your injuries. If law enforcement made an arrest, collected BAC results, or documented the driver’s condition, we can move forward.
Arizona law allows DUI crash victims to recover a wide range of damages, including:
We work with medical and financial experts to calculate what your case is truly worth—not just today, but years into the future.
In DUI injury cases, Arizona courts may award punitive damages in addition to the compensation listed above. These damages are meant to punish the drunk driver for extreme recklessness and send a broader message about accountability. They’re not available in every case, but when the facts support them, we pursue them fully.
A criminal conviction isn’t required to hold a drunk driver accountable in civil court. In fact, many DUI injury lawsuits move forward long before a criminal case is resolved—or even if the prosecutor decides not to file charges. Civil claims operate under a different standard. What matters is whether the evidence shows that impairment caused your injuries, not whether a jury hands down a guilty verdict.
Civil attorneys use a wide range of evidence to show the driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash. That often starts with:
Our attorneys connect the dots quickly and thoroughly. We don’t wait for a courtroom conviction. We act when the evidence is there—and we know how to find it.
In some DUI injury cases, the drunk driver isn’t the only person who may be responsible. Under Arizona’s dram shop law, businesses that overserve visibly intoxicated patrons may also be held liable if that patron later causes a crash. These third-party claims can provide additional compensation—and send a strong message to companies that put profit over safety.
Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments have a legal duty not to serve alcohol to people who are clearly intoxicated. That includes customers who are slurring, stumbling, yelling, or showing obvious signs that they should be cut off. When a server or bartender ignores those signs and continues to pour drinks, the business may be liable for what happens next.
To hold a bar accountable, we need to show:
This requires fast action. Surveillance footage is often erased within days. Staff memories fade or become influenced by company lawyers. That’s why we move immediately to identify where the driver was drinking, who served them, and whether there are witnesses or receipts that support your claim.
Dram shop cases are time-sensitive. Some establishments will cooperate, but many won’t. Our team issues preservation notices right away, speaks to employees before they’ve been coached, and collects records before they disappear. Waiting even a few weeks can make a critical difference.
The impact of a DUI crash goes far beyond the initial accident. Medical bills pile up. Missed work turns into lost income. Emotional trauma lingers for months or years. Arizona law allows injury victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages to account for the full scope of what they’ve lost.
Emergency treatment is just the beginning. Many DUI victims require surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and assistive devices. Some never fully recover. We calculate not just the medical bills you’ve already received, but what you’ll need in the future, whether that’s mobility support, follow-up care, or long-term rehabilitation.
Lost wages matter. So does the income you would’ve earned if the crash hadn’t disrupted your life. If your injuries limit your ability to work—or end your career entirely—we work with financial experts to quantify those losses and present them clearly to a jury or insurer.
DUI crash injuries often bring chronic pain, sleep disruption, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in everyday life. These aren’t just side effects, they’re part of your damages. We help document how the crash changed your routines, your family life, and your peace of mind.
Unlike other personal injury cases, DUI claims may qualify for punitive damages. These are awarded when the driver’s behavior was not just negligent but dangerous enough to merit additional punishment. We pursue these damages aggressively in every case where they apply.
The days after a DUI crash are overwhelming. You’re in pain. You’re getting calls from insurance adjusters. And you may not know where to start. But what you do next matters and protecting your legal rights should be part of your recovery plan from the beginning.
The strength of your case depends on what happens early. That’s why we don’t wait. The moment you call us, we go to work collecting evidence, documenting injuries, and setting a strategy that gives your case real leverage. Every detail matters, and we make sure nothing is missed.
We analyze the crash scene, secure surveillance footage, and contact witnesses before they disappear. Whether the collision happened at night, in a rural area, or on a busy highway, we know how to uncover details that others miss.
Our team works with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and financial analysts to back up every part of your case. These professionals help explain how the crash happened, what your injuries mean long-term, and how your earning capacity has changed. That clarity gives us power in both negotiations and court.
If the drunk driver is facing criminal charges, we stay in contact with prosecutors and track how the criminal case might intersect with your civil claim. We don’t let criminal proceedings slow us down, but we make sure they’re used to your advantage when appropriate.
Your case isn’t just about bills. It’s about the emotional, physical, and financial impact of being hit by someone who shouldn’t have been on the road. We gather testimony from your doctors, your family, and your support team to tell that story—and demand the compensation that reflects it.
Getting hit by a drunk driver wasn’t your fault, but recovering from it may feel like your burden. You’re dealing with pain, paperwork, and pressure from insurers who want a quick payout. You need someone who understands what you’re facing and knows how to fight for what’s fair.
At Torgenson Law, we don’t take DUI injury cases lightly. We treat them like the serious, high-stakes matters they are. Our team moves fast, builds strong cases, and stands with you from day one. If someone else’s recklessness changed your life, let us help you take the next step. Contact us today. We’re ready to fight for you.
