When a drunk driver’s recklessness turns your life upside down, you need a local attorney with experience, grit, and a record of results. At Bordegaray Injury Law, our Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer fights for victims and their families with a clear mission: full accountability and maximum compensation. Whether your case involves serious injury, wrongful death, or long-term loss, we’re here to stand between you and the insurance companies that want to downplay what happened.
We understand the unique emotional and financial toll of drunk driving collisions—and we bring that understanding into every negotiation and courtroom appearance.
Our approach goes beyond the surface. We investigate the circumstances of each case with an eye toward uncovering overlooked evidence—surveillance footage, breathalyzer calibration errors, or poor police procedure—that can make the difference between a denied claim and a life-changing payout. Our legal team also monitors court records and public safety reports in Chesapeake to stay current on DUI trends and enforcement activity, allowing us to anticipate how your case may unfold locally.
Virginia takes DUI enforcement seriously—and so should you if you’ve been injured by an impaired driver. Understanding the basic legal framework helps you see what’s at stake and how your civil injury claim intersects with criminal proceedings.
Acting quickly is essential. The sooner you contact a Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer, the sooner we can preserve evidence, talk to witnesses, and position your case for success.
Additionally, it’s important to understand how Virginia categorizes DUI charges. A first offense is typically a misdemeanor, but aggravating factors—like a child passenger, a BAC of 0.15 or higher, or causing injury—can elevate it. From a civil perspective, these details can open the door to additional financial recovery. In short, the facts behind the DUI arrest matter deeply to your injury case.
Learn more about current Virginia DUI laws and penalties on the Virginia DMV’s DUI Enforcement page.
Not all car accidents are equal—and DUI collisions are often the most traumatic. They involve a unique mix of criminal and civil law, and they tend to be more violent, more emotionally charged, and more legally complex than typical fender-benders.
Here’s how they differ:
At Bordegaray Injury Law, we understand both the legal and emotional terrain. Our Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer helps clients reclaim their lives while we hold impaired drivers—and their insurers—accountable.
DUI accident litigation often uncovers layers of negligence that go beyond the driver. In some cases, liability may extend to bars or restaurants that overserved a visibly intoxicated individual—what’s known as a “dram shop” claim. While Virginia doesn’t currently recognize dram shop liability, evidence of where the driver was drinking and how much they consumed can still play a role in civil negotiations.
If you’ve been hit by a suspected drunk driver, your actions in the minutes and hours afterward can affect your health, your recovery, and your legal rights. Here’s what to do:
Many people make the mistake of assuming the criminal process will take care of things. It won’t. The driver may face jail time, but that does nothing to pay your medical bills or replace your lost income. That’s where we step in—to ensure that the civil system delivers real-world accountability.
Hiring a Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer isn’t just about convenience—it’s about strategy. Virginia’s contributory negligence law means that if you’re found even 1% at fault, you could lose your entire right to compensation. That’s why it’s critical to have someone who knows the local courts, the judges, and how regional cases are won.
At Bordegaray Injury Law:
Local experience isn’t just a bonus—it’s an edge. Because we’ve handled DUI accident cases in Chesapeake before, we know the playbook. We understand how local insurance adjusters evaluate these cases and how to counter lowball offers with pressure that actually works in this market.
Our job is to make sure you don’t leave money on the table. That means calculating not just your current losses, but also the long-term impact of your injuries on your life, work, and mental health. Depending on the facts of your case, we may pursue compensation for:
If the crash resulted in a fatality, our Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer team also pursues wrongful death claims that cover funeral expenses, lost income, and the profound emotional toll on surviving family members.
We also account for the “invisible” costs: depression, loss of intimacy, sleep disorders, and anxiety. Our job is to convert all of these into hard numbers that insurers can’t ignore. If necessary, we bring in expert witnesses—life care planners, economists, and psychologists—to make the value of your suffering indisputable.
When a drunk driver is arrested and prosecuted, that criminal case doesn’t pay your medical bills—but it can strengthen your civil injury lawsuit. We monitor the criminal proceedings closely, using evidence from those cases to build leverage in settlement negotiations or trial.
This includes:
Your Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer must be fluent in both criminal procedure and civil law strategy. That’s exactly what we bring to the table.
We frequently coordinate with criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors to gather documents and schedule testimony in a way that complements—not conflicts with—ongoing legal proceedings. This collaboration allows us to remain nimble and seize opportunities that might otherwise slip through the cracks.
Can I still sue if the driver was never convicted?
Yes. Civil liability requires a lower burden of proof than criminal guilt. Even without a conviction, you may still win compensation based on the facts and evidence.
What if I was partially at fault?
Virginia’s contributory negligence law is strict. If you’re found even slightly at fault, your claim could be denied. That’s why aggressive legal defense and careful case-building are critical.
Will I have to go to court?
Most cases settle before trial, but we always prepare as if we’re going to court. Being trial-ready strengthens your position at the negotiating table.
How much is my case worth?
That depends on your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and how strongly we can establish the drunk driver’s liability. After a consultation, we’ll give you a more detailed outlook.
How do I pay for legal services?
You don’t—unless we win. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no legal fees unless we recover money for you.
We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t take every case. But if we take yours, it means we believe in it—and we’ll fight like hell to win it. Our practice is built on results, not promises. You’ll never wonder what’s happening with your case or whether your attorney is actually doing the work.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a DUI crash in Chesapeake, don’t wait. Let our Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer help you take the next step toward justice. We’ll handle the insurers, the legal filings, and the courtroom strategy.
Call 757-505-HURT (4878) now or fill out our contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
We can meet with you in our Chesapeake office, at your home, or virtually by video call—whatever is most comfortable for you. Let’s take the first step toward justice together.
Nathan Bordegaray
Chesapeake DUI accident lawyer, Nathan Bordegaray is a trial attorney with more than 12 years of extensive courtroom experience, whose practice focuses on personal injury law.
Initially, Nathan dedicated eight years to defending insurance companies and personal injury defendants, gaining deep insights into the strategies employed by defense teams. Starting his legal career in insurance defense, including roles at a commercial litigation firm and as a staff attorney for Geico, Nathan has since shifted his focus to advocating for those injured due to others’ negligence. This unique background provides him with a strategic advantage in representing injured clients, as he deftly anticipates and counters defense tactics, ensuring the best outcomes for his clients.
Before founding Bordegaray Injury Law PLLC, Nathan honed his skills at a leading regional personal injury firm in Virginia, where he successfully represented numerous clients. His profound understanding of insurance operations is augmented by his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, further enhancing his ability to secure maximum compensation for his clients.
Car accident resulting in herniated disc in neck and neck surgery
Motor vehicle accident with injuries to neck and back, resulting in multiple neck surgeries
Car accident with neck and back injuries resulting in neck surgery
Car accident with back injuries resulting in back surgery with post-surgical complications
Car accident resulting in herniated disc in neck and neck surgery
Motor vehicle accident with injuries to neck and back, resulting in multiple neck surgeries
Car accident with neck and back injuries resulting in neck surgery
Car accident with back injuries resulting in back surgery with post-surgical complications
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence, call Bordegaray Injury Law today for a free case evaluation. It could be the best call you make.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
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