Orange County DUI Causing Injury Lawyers

What Sets Our DUI Defense Firm Apart

DUI causing injury cases are among the most complex DUI charges under California law, requiring more than general criminal defense knowledge to tackle efficiently. Our firm stands apart because we have intentionally built our entire practice around mastering DUI law at every level, from scientific evidence to constitutional challenges.

People throughout Orange County and SoCal trust us with their tough DUI cases because:

• We have focused on DUI defense since 1979.
• Our founding attorney authored a leading DUI defense treatise cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and is a founding member of the National College for DUI Defense.
• We are the only law firm approved by the California State Bar to provide DUI-focused CLE courses.
• We utilize in-house technical experts to analyze forensic and chemical testing evidence.

DUI Causing Injury Under California Law

Under California Vehicle Code § 23153, DUI causing injury is charged when a person drives under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and, while doing so, commits an unlawful act or neglects a legal duty, and that act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to another person.

The statute is divided into two primary subsections:

• Vehicle Code § 23153(a): Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and committing an unlawful act or neglecting a duty imposed by law, which proximately causes bodily injury to another.
• Vehicle Code § 23153(b): Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher and committing an unlawful act or neglecting a legal duty, which proximately causes bodily injury.

To land a conviction, the prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt, including:

• That you were driving a vehicle
• That you were under the influence or had a BAC of 0.08% or higher
• That you committed an additional unlawful act or neglected a legal duty
• That this act or omission was the proximate cause of bodily injury to another person

DUI causing injury cases often hinge on highly technical evidence, including chemical test results, accident reconstruction, and the legal interpretation of “proximate cause.” Our specialty as DUI defense attorneys means we’re ready to dive into the smallest details to find a way to protect your rights.

Potential Penalties and How They May Be Addressed

DUI causing injury is considered a “wobbler” offense in California, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts of the case, including the severity of injuries and your prior record.

If charged as a misdemeanor, potential penalties may include:

• Up to one year in county jail
• Fines up to $5,000
• Driver’s license suspension up to 3 years
• Probation for up to 5 years
• DUI education programs
• Restitution to injured parties 

If charged as a felony, the consequences increase significantly, possibly including:

• State prison sentencing up to 4 years
• Formal probation up to 5 years
• Fines up to $5,000
• Extended license revocation up to 5 years
• Designation as a habitual traffic offender for up to 3 years
• DUI education programs
• Restitution to injured parties
• Potential sentence enhancements for great bodily injury

Our role is to carefully evaluate every aspect of the case, from the initial traffic stop to the scientific validity of chemical testing and the causation analysis underlying the alleged injury. By identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, we can work to reduce charges or sentencing where appropriate, challenge enhancements, and pursue outcomes that limit the long-term impact on your record, freedom, and driving privileges.

Potential Defenses in DUI Causing Injury Cases

A DUI causing injury charge is not automatic simply because an accident occurred. These cases require a detailed legal and factual analysis, and multiple defense strategies may be available depending on the circumstances of the crash and the charges sought against you.

Possible defense considerations include:

• You were not under the influence at the time of driving
• Your blood alcohol concentration was inaccurately measured or improperly obtained
• No unlawful act or legal duty violation occurred
• The alleged injury was not caused by your actions
• The traffic stop or arrest violated constitutional protections
• Medical or environmental factors affected test results or observations

Each case is unique, and our defense strategy is tailored to the specific evidence and legal issues involved. We can’t guarantee what defense will apply to your case or how effective it will be, but we can say that we will use the vast extent of our DUI defense knowledge, experience, and resources to do whatever we can to defend you.

Defense Against Related DUI Charges

DUI causing injury charges are often accompanied by additional or related allegations, each of which must be addressed as part of a comprehensive defense strategy. Because we focus on DUI law, we are equipped to handle the full scope of charges that may arise from a single incident.

We regularly defend against related charges such as:

• Standard DUI under Vehicle Code § 23152(a)
• DUI with a BAC of 0.08% or higher under § 23152(b)
• Felony DUI based on prior convictions
• Hit and run allegations under Vehicle Code § 20001
• Reckless driving or “wet reckless” charges
• DMV administrative license suspension proceedings

By addressing both the criminal case and the administrative license issues, we work to protect not only your legal standing but also your ability to continue driving.

Contact Us Now to Start Your Defense

A DUI causing injury charge requires immediate and focused legal attention. With offices in Huntington Beach and Irvine, our attorneys can represent clients throughout Orange County and Southern California with a level of experience and specialization that few firms can match. Our focus on DUI defense allows us to approach your case with clarity, precision, and an intricate understanding of the law.

Call The Law Offices of Taylor & Taylor at (562) 330-4173 today to discuss your case with highly experienced defense lawyers.