Mesa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Many people are injured every year because of the actions of drunk drivers. It is stressful to be involved in and injured in a car accident, but it can be even more frustrating when the at-fault individual was driving while impaired. Filing a personal injury claim can help you recover certain damages, helping you move forward. A Mesa drunk driving accident lawyer can help injured parties and their families file these claims, securing the compensation they deserve.

At Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C., we are proud to help secure financial compensation for those harmed by the egregious negligence of drunk drivers. Our team takes the time to understand your unique situation, the injuries you suffered, and how that has affected your life. We offer straightforward and honest legal guidance.

We are passionate trial lawyers who will advocate for you in court if needed at the Mesa Municipal Court, the West Mesa Justice Court, or the Maricopa County Superior Court, and we are dedicated to working for an outcome that supports you and your family. Our firm has secured results like a $1 million and a $475,000 car collision settlement. Every case is different, so these results do not guarantee future outcomes. They show our diligence and care as we support our clients.

Luis P. Guerra is a personal injury attorney who has spent over 30 years advocating for the rights of those who were injured or lost loved ones because of the recklessness and misconduct of others. He believes strongly in working for justice and can create a strategy that is tailored to your unique situation and aids in securing a fair outcome.

Those who operate their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol put others on the road in danger and increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and death. In 2024, there were a total of 3,544 alcohol-related crashes in Maricopa County, resulting in 2,157 injuries and 180 deaths.

Drunk drivers do not always cause an accident, and many individuals are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). The Mesa Police Department reported 1,973 DUI arrests in 2025. In 2024, the department reported 2,932 DUI arrests, while the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office reported 447 DUI arrests.

Drunk drivers who cause injuries can be held civilly liable for those damages, as well as being criminally charged for breaking the law and driving impaired.

You can recover certain damages in a civil personal injury claim against a drunk driver who caused your accident. You have to be able to prove:

1. The driver breached their duty of care to you by breaking the law and engaging in misconduct
2. This breach of care was a significant cause of the accident
3. You were injured in the accident and suffered damages

Drunk driving accidents are disproportionately fatal. If you lost a loved one because of the misconduct of a driver, you can file a wrongful death claim against that party to hold them responsible and recover some financial stability.

The compensation you can recover after a Mesa drunk driving collision depends on the specific injuries and other losses you sustained as a direct result of the crash. You could recover economic damages such as:

• Medical treatment bills
• Travel expenses for treatment
• Future medical needs costs
• Property damage repair and replacement costs
• Lost income
• Reduced earning potential losses

You can also recover non-economic damages, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Reduced quality or enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Both economic and non-economic damages are forms of compensatory damages, meaning they compensate you for something you lost. There may be other forms of damages available in a civil claim, such as punitive damages. Punitive damages exist to punish the at-fault party and deter them from future misconduct.

Recovering punitive damages after a drunk driving accident in Arizona usually requires proving that the at-fault party’s behavior was outrageous or intolerable, or that they knew their actions created a high risk of harm to others, but they intentionally disregarded that. Drunk driving injuries generally warrant punitive damages, but not in all cases.

Does Insurance Pay for Drunk Driving Accidents in Arizona?

If you are hit by a drunk driver in Arizona, you may be able to recover compensation through a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, which can cover the cost of your injuries and property damage. If the driver carries insufficient insurance coverage or the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement, you may need to file a civil claim to recover your damages.

What Should You Not Say to a Mesa Injury Lawyer After a Drunk Driving Accident?

When you hire a drunk driving accident lawyer in Mesa, you should be upfront and honest with them. When another driver hits you because they were drunk, they likely carry partial or full liability for the accident. There may be cases where you are found partially at-fault, which can reduce your damages, but you should be honest with an attorney about this. If a drunk driver’s actions are considered wantonly negligent, you will likely not be found partially at fault.

Should You File a Civil Claim Against a Drunk Driver in Mesa?

Yes, you likely should file a civil claim in Mesa against a drunk driver to recover the cost of your injuries and hold them accountable. Generally, these cases begin with an insurance claim, but resolution through insurance isn’t always possible. A civil claim helps you obtain the compensation you are owed, including compensatory damages and the potential for punitive damages.

How Long Does It Take to File a Claim Against a Drunk Driver in Arizona?

The time it takes to file a claim in Arizona against a drunk driver relies on many factors, such as your jurisdiction’s insurance timeline requirements, the complexity of your claim, how severely you were injured, whether the case goes to court, and the schedule of the civil court you are filing with. Working with an attorney doesn’t guarantee a faster outcome, but it can help you understand what to expect and avoid common errors that can delay the resolution of your claim.

When you need an experienced attorney, reach out to Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C. We work tirelessly to obtain the compensation you are entitled to.