San Bernardino County and Riverside County consistently rank among California's highest counties for DUI-related crash fatalities. With a large number of bars and restaurants along major corridors like Foothill Boulevard, the entertainment venues around Ontario and Riverside, and the heavy nightlife near the 909 area code cities — drunk driving is a persistent danger on Inland Empire roads.
The IE's Drunk Driving Problem by the Numbers
According to California Highway Patrol's SWITRS data:
- San Bernardino County regularly records over 2,000 DUI crashes per year
- Riverside County sees similar numbers — combined, the two IE counties account for roughly 10% of all California DUI crashes despite being home to about 8% of the population
- Weekend nights (Friday–Sunday, 10 PM–3 AM) account for a disproportionate share of DUI incidents
- Holiday periods — New Year's Eve, Fourth of July, Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick's Day — see the highest spikes
High-Risk DUI Corridors in the Inland Empire
- Foothill Boulevard (Fontana to Upland): Dozens of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues along the Route 66 corridor
- Haven Avenue (Rancho Cucamonga): Wine country restaurants, brewpubs, and event venues feeding onto a high-speed arterial
- University Avenue (Riverside): Near UCR and downtown Riverside bars
- Downtown Ontario (Euclid / Fourth Street): Restaurant row and entertainment district
- The I-10 and I-215 freeways after midnight
Your Legal Rights After a DUI Accident in the IE
Criminal vs. Civil Cases — They Run Separately
A DUI arrest and criminal prosecution happens in criminal court (San Bernardino County Superior Court or Riverside County Superior Court). Your personal injury claim happens separately in civil court. You don't need to wait for the criminal case to resolve before pursuing civil compensation — in fact, you shouldn't wait, because the statute of limitations is running.
The Criminal Case Helps Your Civil Claim
A DUI conviction creates powerful evidence for your civil case. It establishes that the driver was negligent per se — meaning their violation of California's drunk driving law is automatic evidence of negligence, without requiring you to prove the usual negligence elements.
Punitive Damages Are Available
As discussed in our punitive damages guide, DUI accidents are the most common basis for punitive damages in California car accident cases. The driver's conscious choice to drive drunk — knowing the risk — satisfies the "malice or conscious disregard" standard.
What to Do If a Drunk Driver Hit You in the IE
- Call 911 immediately — report your suspicion that the driver is impaired
- Note any signs of impairment you observed (slurred speech, unsteady, odor of alcohol)
- Cooperate fully with CHP or local police investigation
- Get the police report number — and request a copy once available
- Do NOT discuss the accident with the driver's insurance company
- Contact Gonzales Law Offices immediately for a free consultation
If the at-fault driver was cited or arrested for DUI, their insurance company already knows the case has elevated value. They may try to contact you quickly with a low offer before you understand your rights. Don't accept anything without speaking to an attorney first.
Attorney Mark Gonzales has handled DUI accident cases across San Bernardino and Riverside counties — including punitive damage claims. Free consultation, 24/7. No fee unless we win.
📞 Call 909-587-6336