Winter in California may not bring snow, but it does bring a sharp rise in buzzed and drunk driving. Each year, especially in December, alcohol-related crashes increase as more people leave holiday gatherings thinking they’re “okay to drive.”
The reality is that you can be under the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit and still have impaired driving skills. This level of impairment is often overlooked, but being buzzed can still create the conditions for a dangerous, life-changing crash.
If you were injured by a buzzed driver this winter, understanding how California views impairment can help you protect your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What “Buzzed Driving” Really Means in California
A “buzz” is that early stage of alcohol’s effects, feeling warm, relaxed, or slightly off, but not yet feeling what most people consider “drunk.” Their BAC may still be below California’s legal limit of 0.08%, yet their focus, alertness, and reactions are already weakened.
Even mild impairment can cause a driver to misjudge distance, react too slowly, or miss important changes in traffic. That’s all it takes for a preventable crash to happen.
Is Buzzed Driving the Same as DUI Under California Law?
In California, a driver doesn’t need to be over the legal limit to face a DUI charge. What matters most is whether alcohol affects their ability to drive safely. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08 percent can lead to an immediate arrest for DUI, but being under the limit doesn’t guarantee safe driving.
Because even small amounts of alcohol affect most people, California law focuses on impairment, not just numbers. A driver can be arrested and convicted of DUI even without a BAC reading if their driving shows signs of being impaired.
- A driver can be arrested and convicted of DUI even without a BAC reading if police observe signs such as:
- Drifting between lanes
- Late braking
- Confusion
- Trouble following instructions
If you were injured by a buzzed driver on the road, evidence of their impairment can make a big difference in your personal injury claim.
How Even Slight Impairment Causes Major Crashes
Buzzed drivers often think they’re in control, but their brain and body react more slowly than they realize. They may miss hazards, misjudge traffic flow, or react too late in fast-changing situations.
- Common crash-causing behaviors include:
- Brake too late and slam into the car in front of them
- Roll through stop signs or red lights
- Fail to yield when turning or merging
- Drift into other lanes without noticing
- Fail to notice pedestrians or cyclists in their path
These might seem like small mistakes, but at regular California traffic speeds, they can lead to severe and life-changing injuries. Even a moment of slowed reaction time can be enough to cause a serious crash.
Injured by a Buzzed Driver?
Important Winter Data on Drunk Driving Crashes
December is one of the riskiest months for alcohol-related crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, between 2019 and 2023, 4,931 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes during December alone. In December 2023, 1,038 people died as a result of crashes while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Deadly Crashes Happened After Dark in December
In December 2023, 30% of fatal crashes between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. involved drunk drivers.
Nearly Half of Late-Night Fatal Crashes Involved Drunk Drivers
Between midnight and 2:59 a.m., 47% of drivers in fatal crashes were drunk.
Higher Drunk-Driving Rates Among Male Drivers
In December 2023, 22% of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes were men, compared to 18% who were women.
Young Adults Lead in Alcohol-Impaired Fatal Crashes
Drivers ages 21–34 made up the largest group of impaired drivers in deadly crashes, accounting for 27% of cases.
These numbers show how common and dangerous buzzed driving in California becomes during the winter months, often putting innocent people at risk.
Signs of Buzzed Driving and Steps to Take After a Crash
Because buzzed drivers may try to hide their drinking, noticing early signs can help protect your claim. After a crash, look for clues such as slurred speech, red or glassy eyes, slow movements, confusion, the smell of alcohol, or open containers in the motor vehicle. These details can help show the driver was not in a safe condition to drive.
- What to do next:
- Call 911 and report what you observed.
- Take photos or videos of the scene and the driver’s behavior.
- Get witness names and contact information.
- Write down anything unusual you saw or heard.
- Ask for the police report number.
- Get medical care right away.
- Talk to a lawyer before speaking with the insurance company.
By taking these steps, you’re preserving important details that can make your claim stronger.
What a Buzzed Driver’s Impairment Means for Your Claim
Getting injured by a buzzed driver can have a major impact on your injury claim because it shows the other driver made an unsafe choice. Getting behind the wheel after drinking is a form of negligence, and that can make it easier to prove they were responsible for the crash.
- When impairment is involved, you may be able to recover money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- In some cases, punitive damages meant to punish dangerous behavior
With the help of a skilled car accident lawyer, you can demonstrate the driver’s impairment and build a stronger case for the compensation you deserve.
How Our Car Accident Lawyer Can Support Victims of Buzzed Drivers
Buzzed driving cases need close attention because even small signs of impairment can affect your case. When you’re injured, you shouldn’t have to gather evidence or piece things together alone. Our DUI accident lawyer can guide you to build a strong case that shows the other driver’s unsafe choices.
- Our legal team can help you by:
- Reviewing the police report to understand the initial findings
- Securing bodycam or dashcam footage that shows what officers and drivers saw
- Interviewing witnesses and gathering statements that support your version of events
- Collecting traffic-cam or store video that may have captured the crash or the driver’s behavior
- Requesting bar receipts or toxicology tests to help show the driver had been drinking
- Managing all communication with the insurance company so you don’t have to deal with the stress
When you are injured, you should not have to fight the insurance company alone. A car accident lawyer supports you through the process and helps protect what matters most to you.
-
Plan Ahead
The safest choice is to avoid driving after any drinking at all. Planning ahead, by choosing a designated driver, using rideshare, or staying overnight, helps prevent tragic crashes and keeps everyone safer on the road.
Injured by a Buzzed Driver? Get a Free Consultation Today
Buzzed driving is dangerous, illegal, and completely avoidable. If a buzzed driver caused your injuries, you deserve answers and support. Our team at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers has helped California accident victims for more than 60 years combined, and we are ready to help you too.
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact us today to learn your rights and take the first step toward recovery!
SHERIF EDMOND EL DABE
Founder / Partner / Attorney
Sherif Edmond El Dabe, founding partner of El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles and Huntington Beach, is a seasoned trial attorney focused on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith cases. He has recovered over $224 million for clients and spoken at leading legal conferences, including CAALA and TBI Med Legal.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.