Southern California Injury Lawyer Blog
Despite the efforts of the state and federal governments to curb intoxicated driving, drunk and drugged driving account for a large percentage of the overall traffic deaths caused by California car accidents. Indeed, according to the Center for Disease Control, between the years of 2003 and 2012, over 10,000 Californians lost their lives in car accidents involving an intoxicated driver.
Research conducted over the past several decades has confirmed what most Californians already knew – that driving in an intoxicated state greatly reduces judgment and reaction time. This has led the state’s lawmakers to enact a strict set of penalties for drunk drivers. In California, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater. Similarly, motorists are prohibited from driving while they are under the influence of any drug or medication – even if the medication is lawfully prescribed. This includes marijuana.
When a motorist causes an accident due to their intoxication, they may be subject to both criminal and civil liability. Criminal cases are brought by the State of California, and while there may be some restitution ordered as a result of a criminal case, compensating a victim of a California DUI accident is not necessarily the goal of a criminal trial. Accident victims seeking compensation for their injuries should file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the allegedly drunk driver.
Hit-and-Run Accident Claims Four Lives, Injuring Several Others
Late last month, a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 claimed four lives and sent several other motorists to the hospital. According to a local news report, a motorist struck several other vehicles, causing one vehicle to overturn. A witness to the accident told police that the driver who caused the collision then drove off. Not far from that accident, the driver then struck a parked car.
Four of the five people in the overturned vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The fifth person survived with unspecified injuries. The occupants of several other vehicles were also taken to the hospital.
An investigation revealed that the driver had a suspended license for a previous DUI conviction. Police are investigating the fatal accident and have not yet determined if intoxication was a factor in this accident. Police did arrest the motorist for fleeing the scene after the accident.
Have You Been Injured in a California Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of California car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated California personal injury attorneys at Sharifi Firm have extensive experience handling all types of California car accident cases, and they know what it takes to be successful on behalf of their clients. With offices conveniently located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, and Irvine, we serve clients across California in all types of personal injury cases. Call 866-422-7222 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Plaintiff’s Case Permitted to Proceed Against Private Company Responsible for Maintaining Traffic Lights, Southern California Injury Lawyer Blog, November 20, 2017
California Court Discusses the Scope of Church’s Duty to Parishioner in Recent Premises Liability Case, Southern California Injury Lawyer Blog, November 27, 2017