Local office in San Bernardino, CA202 E Airport Dr, Suite 145Directions

DUI crash in San Bernardino?Talk to a lawyer for free.

On top of your losses, a drunk driver can owe punitive damages. If their insurance falls short, your own policy can help.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
  • Zero upfront costYour consultation is free, with no obligation.
  • Hablamos españolNative Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays.
  • Available 24/7We'll meet you at your home or hospital.
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Call our San Bernardino office(909) 406-701724/7 line: (800) 985-9565

No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation. Clients may be responsible for case costs. Read the disclaimer

A firefighter and an ambulance at a car crash at an intersection
I highly recommend Valero Law Group for anyone needing legal assistance after a car accident. … I received regular updates and never felt left in the dark.
Osvaldo M.Car accident clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for car accident clients.

We've won over $500 million for our clients, including the car accident cases below.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

View all results

After a DUI crash in San Bernardino,what to do first.

Six steps that protect your claim, in roughly the order they come up.

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  • Call 911 and tell the officer
    If you think the other driver was drunk or high (the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, open containers), tell the officer. Police decide whether to arrest the driver and order a breath or blood test. California's DUI law covers drugs too, not just alcohol.
  • Get care and the report number
    Injuries don't always show at first, so it's worth getting checked. Ask for the report number at the scene: on city streets, San Bernardino Police take the report; on I‑10, I‑215 and the 210, the CHP does.
  • Note where they were drinking
    If you know or hear where the driver had been drinking (a bar, restaurant, store or party), write it down with the names of witnesses. Ask nearby businesses for video quickly: many systems record over old footage.
  • Tell your own insurer
    Report the crash to your insurance company and check your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and MedPay. Underinsured coverage pays once the drunk driver's insurer has paid its limit.
  • Use your rights as a crime victim
    The criminal case runs separately from your claim. Under Marsy's Law, you can ask to be told about hearings and to be heard at sentencing. The District Attorney's Bureau of Victim Services, (909) 382-3846, can help.
  • Don't wait for the criminal case
    An injury lawsuit generally has to be filed within two years, whether or not the criminal case is over, and your claim doesn't depend on a conviction. You have seven years to apply to the victim fund.

When the other driver was drunk,who pays?

Usually the drunk driver's insurance, and the driver personally for anything more. When that falls short, your own policy and a state fund for crime victims can help.

From the drunk driver's side

Medical bills, lost pay, pain and suffering

From your side and the state

When the driver can't cover it

  • 1 in 3California traffic deaths in 2024 involved an alcohol‑impaired driver1,311 of 3,876 deaths happened in crashes where a driver's blood alcohol was 0.08% or more (NHTSA). That doesn't mean alcohol caused every one.
  • 167people killed or injured in alcohol‑involved crashes in San Bernardino in 2023On the city's streets, the Office of Traffic Safety ranked San Bernardino 13th of 62 similar-size California cities, where 1 is the worst. Its count includes any crash where someone had been drinking.
  • $70,000the most the victim fund paysFor medical bills, counseling and lost income after a crash with a drunk or drugged driver, when no insurance covers them (CalVCB).
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Our office in San Bernardino

Local drunk-driving crash lawyers,right here in San Bernardino.

Not every firm that advertises in San Bernardino has an office here. We do.

Our office is on East Airport Drive, off Hospitality Lane. Call first if you'd like to come in, or we'll come to you anywhere in the valley or the mountains, at home or in the hospital.

Nearby officesRiversidePalm DesertPalmdale

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

400+five-star Google reviews

Real reviews fromour clients.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
I was really stressed after my car accident, but Valero Law Group made the whole process super smooth and easy. They were always available to answer my questions and kept me updated every step of the way. I'm so happy with the settlement they got me!
Isabella G.Google review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
Awesome experience with Valero Law. My case person, Leticia, was always available to discuss my case and get me to all my doctor appointments.
Michael K.Google review
I'm thankful I decided to give Valero Law a call. I wasn't sure what to do; they made everything simple…
Connie P.Google review
A man and a boy in traditional Colombian hats and jerseys holding Valero Law Group signs at a community event

Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
Yesica H.Google review
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Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a crash with a drunk driver.

Can I get punitive damages from a drunk driver?
Possibly. On top of paying for your losses, a drunk driver can be ordered to pay punitive damages, an extra award meant to punish. California's Supreme Court has said that choosing to drive drunk can show a "conscious disregard of the safety of others" (Taylor v. Superior Court). They aren't automatic: they have to be proven by clear and convincing evidence (Civil Code §3294).
Will the drunk driver's insurance pay?
For your injuries, generally yes, up to the policy's limits. It can't pay punitive damages: in California those must come from the driver personally (Peterson v. Superior Court).
What if the driver had no insurance, or too little?
Your uninsured motorist coverage can pay for your injuries, and your underinsured motorist coverage can pay the difference, up to your own limits, once their insurer has paid its limit. Neither pays punitive damages. If the driver was using someone else's car with permission, the owner can also be responsible, usually up to $15,000 for one person's injuries (Vehicle Code §17151).
Is the bar or the party host responsible?
Usually not. California law treats drinking the alcohol, not serving it, as the cause, so a bar, restaurant, store or host that served an adult generally isn't responsible for the crash (Civil Code §1714). The exceptions involve someone under 21: a seller that served an obviously drunk person under 21 (Business and Professions Code §25602.1), or an adult who knowingly served alcohol at home to someone under 21.
Do I have to wait for the criminal case?
No. An injury claim is decided on whether the driver was more likely than not at fault, a lower bar than a criminal conviction (Evidence Code §115). The two-year deadline to file a lawsuit runs whether or not the criminal case is over.
What happens to the drunk driver?
DUI causing injury can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. A first offense carries 90 days to a year in county jail, or state prison, plus a fine and a license suspension (Vehicle Code §23554). If the driver is convicted, the court must also order them to repay your economic losses, such as medical bills and lost pay, separately from your injury claim. Criminal cases from San Bernardino are usually heard at the San Bernardino Justice Center, 247 West Third Street.
I was a passenger in the drunk driver's car. Can I still make a claim?
Often, yes. In Peterson v. Superior Court, a case brought by a passenger injured by a driver who had been drinking, California's Supreme Court said punitive damages can be recovered from an intoxicated driver, and that the driver's insurance still covers the other damages. Under California's comparative fault rule, an award can be reduced by any share of the blame put on you.
Do you have an office in San Bernardino?
Yes. Our office is at 202 E Airport Dr, Suite 145, San Bernardino, CA 92408, off Hospitality Lane. Call first if you'd like to come in, or we'll come to you, at home or in the hospital. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.
What does a drunk-driving accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a San Bernardino drunk-driving accident lawyer today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

(909) 406-7017

24/7 line: (800) 985-9565

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